[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 52 (Wednesday, April 17, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H2107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF FEDEX

  (Mr. COHEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. COHEN. I rise today to recognize the 40th anniversary of the 
founding of FedEx, one of the world's great companies.
  According to business lore, CEO Fred Smith originally introduced his 
idea for FedEx in a Yale economics paper that got him a C grade. Today, 
40 years later, we can all appreciate the merit of that C paper after 
the company originally set up shop in 1973 near the Memphis airport 
with 14 aircraft and 186 packages set for delivery. That first day, 
FedEx flew to 25 U.S. cities from its home base in Memphis, which 
remains its world headquarters. Today, FedEx has grown to ship more 
than 9 million parcels daily across the globe.
  FedEx and Fred Smith have also shown great generosity to the country, 
and Memphis is lucky and proud that it's our home company. Fred Smith, 
a combat marine, who served two tours of duty in Vietnam, served as the 
cochair of the World War II Memorial Committee to build a memorial here 
in Washington.
  It used to be said that what's good for General Motors is good for 
the Nation, but now I think what's good for FedEx is good for the 
Nation--absolutely, positively.
  I congratulate Fred Smith and FedEx on 40 years of great service, and 
I look forward to another 40 years of innovation and service.

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