[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 182 (Wednesday, November 30, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H7941]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF FREDERIK MEIJER

  (Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. I rise today with a twinge of sadness in my 
heart as I pay tribute to Frederik Meijer, a friend to the entire west 
Michigan community and one of America's most entrepreneurial spirits, 
who passed away this week just shy of his 92nd birthday.
  Fred was born in Greenville, Michigan, in 1919, and was known as the 
``father of the super store.'' His innovation and entrepreneurship will 
live on in his Meijer grocery stores, with over 200 stores in five 
different States. Mr. Meijer will be remembered in west Michigan for 
his philanthropy, his friendship, and care of the community he lived in 
and its residents. He and his wife, Lena, gave back and invested 
millions in west Michigan, and created what would become one of the 
State's top attractions, the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture 
Park.
  Despite growing one of the most successful businesses in the country 
and revolutionizing the retail model, Mr. Meijer remained a typical 
west Michigan down-to-earth person who once remarked, ``Money is only a 
tool'' and ``Money doesn't buy happiness.'' He truly knew what was 
important and kept that in the forefront: friends, family, a strong 
relationship with his neighbors and community. The thing he loved to do 
the most was to hand out ``Purple Cow'' cards--free ice cream cards to 
kids in his stores. That will be remembered by my family as well.
  Again, I rise to pay tribute to him, his family, and the innovation 
and entrepreneurial legacy he leaves behind.
  Mr. Meijer, you will be missed but you will not be forgotten.

                          ____________________