[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 13, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H2615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING BILL SAMUELS, JR., PRESIDENT OF MAKER'S MARK DISTILLERY

  (Mr. YARMUTH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor a giant of Kentucky's 
legendary bourbon industry, Bill Samuels, Jr., president of Maker's 
Mark Distillery, on the occasion of his retirement.
  His father's recipe first got bourbon invited to the top shelf. His 
mother had the radical idea of dipping bottles in red wax. His 
godfather was Jim Beam.
  Bill's career path seemed obvious, but ``obvious'' was never Bill's 
path.
  Everyone agrees distilling bourbon isn't rocket science, but only 
Bill makes the claim with authority--he's excelled at both. He designed 
fuel injectors for Polaris missiles and graduated from Vanderbilt Law 
School. Finally, four decades ago, he decided to give the family 
business 1 year--but he never left. When his time came, he didn't 
merely take over. He took Maker's Mark to unimaginable heights.
  Then a little-known brand, Makers is now among the world's most 
sought-after spirits, its red wax a renowned icon. And every barrel 
maintains the same recipe and craftsmanship as Bill, Sr.'s first batch 
in 1954.
  As cochair of the Congressional Bourbon Caucus, I urge my colleagues 
to join me in toasting Bill as he passes the wax-tipped baton into the 
capable hands of his son, Rob.
  Bill's service to Maker's Mark and Kentucky--like his bourbon--
continues a family's tradition, makes our Commonwealth proud, and is 
simply the stuff of legend.

                          ____________________