[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 31, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF JOHN W. WIESNER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2017

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of 
John W. Wiesner. On January 26, 2017, the Wiesner family lost a father, 
a grandfather and a great-grandfather, and our district lost an icon. 
Those who knew John W. Wiesner are better people today thanks to his 
wise counsel. His philanthropy, business, faith, and family are all 
admirable examples of what to aspire to because John made the most of 
his 88 years.
  While known locally as the chairman and CEO of the Wiesner auto 
dealerships, John's story is admirable. Born in Richmond on November 
13, 1928, John was raised in Hempstead where he met and married his 
childhood sweetheart, Elizabeth. Shortly after, they started a family 
and built an automotive empire. A graduate of Southern Methodist 
University and member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, John went from 
working in his father-in-law's Sorsby Motor Company to later purchasing 
it in 1954. John and Elizabeth moved to Conroe in the 1970's and 
purchased the Buick Pontiac Dealership. Throughout the last few 
decades, the Wiesner dealerships continued to expand, employing over 
500 people in Conroe, Huntsville, Tomball and Rosenberg.
  A consummate gentleman, John leaves a legacy to be proud of with his 
son, Don, his six grandchildren and great-grandchild. However, because 
John did not showcase his good deeds, the full extent of his 
philanthropy may never be known.
  As a Mason, a Shriner, a Paul Harris Fellow, Sam Walton Business 
Leader, Time Magazine Quality Dealer, Man of the Year, and Key Man--
just to name a few of his many accolades--family, faith, and doing 
business the right way mattered the most to my friend.
  Since 1974, Don Wiesner has been working alongside his father who was 
proud to welcome the 4th generation to serve in the family business. It 
is no surprise that the Houston Business Journal acknowledged the 
Wiesners as a top 10 Family Owned Business in Houston.
  John's community spirit lives on in his dedication to the First 
United Methodist Church in Conroe and numerous boards and organizations 
from the YMCA, County Fairs, the Appraisal District, Youth Services, 
Economic Development, Chambers, Rotary, the Salvation Army, American 
Heart Association, Junior League, the performing arts, scholarships, 
the American Cancer Society, Boy Scouts, Crime Stoppers, Montgomery 
County Performing Arts, National Dealer Council, Houston Automotive 
Dealers Association, GMAC Dealer Advisory Board, Texas Automobile 
Dealers Association, Pontiac-GMC Division Dealer Council, South Central 
Region Dealer Council, Nations Bank Conroe, Conroe Symphony Orchestra, 
and more.
  When I served as a local chamber executive, I had the privilege of 
working alongside John on key projects such as the creation of the 
North Harris Montgomery Community College (now Lone Star College 
System). This is just one example of how John's involvement helped make 
our community a better place. John and Elizabeth, their sons Howell and 
John III, are together again in the loving arms of our Savior, Jesus 
Christ.

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