[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 19, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E41]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MR. EARL WILSON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 19, 2010

  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a true St. Louis 
legend and visionary, Mr. Earl Wilson, Jr. on the occasion of his 
retirement from the St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation. Earl 
Wilson has devoted his life to serving the St. Louis community first as 
a trailblazing corporate executive and later as a dedicated community 
servant. His commitment led him to establish one of the most honored 
and respected community organizations in the Midwest, The St. Louis 
Gateway Classic Sports Foundation.
  Mr. Wilson has been blazing a path for inner-city residents, 
especially the youth of St. Louis, since graduating high school and 
becoming an ROTC captain at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, 
Missouri. He served as a captain in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
and was a successful 30 year executive with IBM. He also had the honor 
of serving as the Marketing Director for the U.S. Olympic Festival in 
St. Louis in 1994. He has been a wonderful husband and dedicated father 
of four.
  Sixteen years ago, Mr. Wilson created the St. Louis Gateway Classic 
Foundation in an effort to elevate the status of African Americans in 
St. Louis. The Gateway Classic was originally organized as a football 
event hosting teams from historic black colleges and universities. The 
game eventually grew into his trademark St. Louis Gateway Classic 
Sports Foundation and has created an impressive list of community 
events and initiatives.
  Through the foundation Mr. Wilson has raised millions of dollars for 
his scholarship fund leading to the education of more than 100 African-
American students who otherwise might not have the means to attend 
college. Over sixty of the awardees graduated from historically black 
colleges or universities.
  He also established the St. Louis Gateway Classic Walk of Fame. The 
Walk of Fame highlights the sacrifices and achievements of area African 
Americans. It has honored the lives of prominent St. Louis citizens 
such as Dick Gregory, Jackie-Joyner Kersee, former Congressman William 
L. Clay, Sr., Ozzie Smith and the Fifth Dimension.
  Mr. Wilson has exhibited a tireless dedication to his community 
throughout his life. That commitment has been an inspiration to his 
family, friends and all that have come to know him. His impact on young 
people's lives in the St. Louis community can be measured in his 
wonderful array of good works.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Mr. Wilson; a man who 
has made a difference in each life that he has touched. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Earl Wilson, Jr.

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