[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 131 (Friday, September 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN RECOGNITION OF FREDRICK R. ``FRED'' MEYER

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                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 28, 2012

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Fredrick 
R. ``Fred'' Meyer. Mr. Meyer was a successful businessman, the Texas 
GOP chairman for six years, and the chairman of the Republican Party in 
Dallas for 7 years. Last week he passed away at the age of 84. Mr. 
Meyer will always be remembered as the man who made the Texas GOP 
unstoppable.
  Mr. Meyer graduated in 1949 from Purdue University with a Bachelor's 
Degree in Mechanical Engineering and received a Master of Business 
Administration degree from Harvard University in 1958, graduating from 
both with high distinction.
  While working as senior vice president of the information services 
company, Tyler Corporation, in Dallas, Mr. Meyer was asked by 
Republican congressional candidate Alan Steelman to manage his 
campaign. After surprisingly winning the race against the former mayor 
of Dallas, Earle Cabell, Mr. Meyer couldn't help but become more 
involved. Beginning in 1972, he became a state delegate at that and 
every subsequent Republican convention.
  Even though Texas was primarily a Democratic state, Mr. Meyer used 
his skills in fundraising and managing to convince potential candidates 
to run for Republican seats. About 10 percent of Dallas County elected 
officials were Republicans when he was elected as Dallas GOP Chairman 
in 1979, but towards the end of his last term, almost 80 percent of the 
county elected officials were Republican.
  When he lost the race for Dallas mayor to Annette Strauss in 1987, he 
served three terms as the state GOP chairman, aiding Texan George H.W. 
Bush in winning the presidency.
  His success for the party lasted for two full decades until the 
Democrats took Dallas County in 2006. His admirable reputation will not 
be forgotten. During the last few weeks of his life, Mr. Meyer was 
fundraising in his hospital room for the Cooper Institute. It seemed 
that he could never give up his passion.
  Mr. Meyer is survived by his wife, Barbara Meyer, his son Brad Meyer, 
his two daughters, Amy and Cheryl, and his five grandchildren. I would 
like to extend my sincerest condolences to Fred Meyer's family and 
friends.

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