[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 148 (Tuesday, October 2, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H11132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING OWSLEY BROWN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Yarmuth) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, it is my distinct honor to rise today in 
recognition of my good friend and a great citizen of my hometown of 
Louisville, Kentucky, Owsley Brown II, as we mark the end of his 46-
year career at Brown-Forman.
  In Louisville, Owsley is well known for his success in business. He 
worked his way up to the top of his family business, and his leadership 
turned it into a giant in the wine and spirits industry. That fact is 
all the more astounding, considering that among the top companies in 
the industry 50 years ago, only his Brown-Forman remains a leader in 
the field.
  The global expansion has taken the company to heights only dreamed of 
back then, and the branding under his watch was absolutely 
unprecedented. Jack Daniel's, a tiny acquisition of a half century ago, 
has practically superseded the term whisky itself. But in Kentucky, of 
course, we take the most pride in Brown-Forman's home-grown bourbons: 
Early Times, Old Forester and Woodford Reserve.
  Owsley Brown's reputation in business comes not only from making 
money, but from creating an environment in which people want to work. 
Owsley himself takes great pride in the fact that the average tenure at 
Brown-Forman, 14 years, is three times the average for a Fortune 500 
Company. The reason for this is simple. For many of these employees, 
Owsley Brown gave them more than a job; he gave them a home.
  But Owsley's place in our community only begins with what happens in 
the walls and barrels at Brown-Forman Corporation. Through the 
philanthropy of Brown-Forman, Owsley set the standard for what it means 
to be a good corporate citizen. His commitment to social responsibility 
can be seen throughout his work for the Century Council, of which 
Brown-Forman is a founding member, and in every facet of Louisville 
life.
  His dedication to the arts has been critical to Louisville's 
developing a scene in which music, theater, independent film and visual 
arts of every stripe have thrived, helping to forge our community's 
unique and exciting character. His philanthropic devotion to health 
care has helped make Louisville home to some of the best facilities, 
doctors, and medical innovation in the world.
  What's more, as Owsley helped to make Louisville a vibrant 21st-
century city, he never lost sight of the need to preserve Kentucky's 
natural beauty. In fact, he has served as a powerful force in 
protecting land from overdevelopment, particularly along Louisville's 
scenic riverfront. Long before conservation hit the mainstream, Brown-
Forman began implementing policies to reduce the company's 
environmental footprint and enhance the environment around us.
  So as Owsley took Brown-Forman to new heights worldwide, our 
community reaped the rewards. We are fortunate in Louisville, for even 
as a corporation sees its leader pass the torch into other capable 
hands, Mr. Brown remains one of our most generous and responsible 
citizens. His triumph and business exceeds the success of the bottom 
line. The true achievement he oversaw and engineered was creating a 
company of fine character and impeccable integrity, just like the man 
himself.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring my good friend, Owsley 
Brown, thanking him for all he has done and wishing him luck as he 
enters this next chapter of life.
  Owsley, you and Christy now have time to see the world, and I have no 
doubt that you will use that time to change it.

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