[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 193 (Thursday, December 6, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF FRED M. FEHSENFELD

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 6, 2018

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and legacy of Fred M. Fehsenfeld, a decorated World War II pilot and 
founder of The Heritage Group who died on November 28, 2018 at the age 
of 94. He was a pillar of the Indianapolis community and an outstanding 
patriot, businessman, family man, friend, trusted advisor and mentor to 
many, including myself. Fred was known for his ingenuity and hard work 
which he displayed throughout his tremendous life. The people of 
Indiana's Fifth Congressional District are forever grateful for Fred's 
significant contributions to our City of Indianapolis, the State of 
Indiana, and our United States of America.
  A life-long Hoosier, Fred was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1924 
to John and Ruth Fehsenfeld. He was a graduate of Shortridge High 
School, where he and his three brothers loved sports and music. He went 
to Purdue University at the age of 17 and majored in mechanical 
engineering. It was there where Fred had his first flying experience 
with the Purdue Glider Club. At the age of 18, in the middle of World 
War II, Fred enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and at the age of 20 
he was assigned to the 354th Pioneer Mustang Fighter Group in France, a 
famous group of P51 Mustangs and P47 Thunderbolts. A true patriot, Fred 
courageously flew 89 missions in Europe during World War II and was 
awarded the Air Medal with three Silver Clusters and a Silver Star. 
Fred led his squadron on the last official flight in the European 
Theater of Operations, barrel rolling over an Austrian prisoner of war 
camp to let his fellow pilots know the war in Europe was over. Ever 
dedicated to our country, he later served in the Indiana Air National 
Guard.
  Fred later earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at 
Purdue University. In 1946 he married his college sweetheart Mildred 
Cornelius and throughout their life together had seven children. Fred 
began his career at Rock Island Refining as a process engineer. A few 
years later, his father John asked him to join the family business, 
Crystal Flash Petroleum, a company that employed 100 people and 
operated gas stations and sold home heating oil. An extremely hard 
worker and creative problem solver, Fred quickly grew the family 
business and entered into the asphalt industry. Dedicated to success, 
he taught himself how to manufacture asphalt by conducting research at 
the public library. In 1960, he built an asphalt facility, which is 
still in operation today. With his passion for business and an 
entrepreneurial spirit, Fred transformed Crystal Flash Petroleum into 
the Heritage Group, which today employs 6,500 people worldwide. With 
operations in North America, Europe, and China, the Heritage Group grew 
to include interests in Environmental and Remediation, Specialty 
Chemicals and Fuel Products, as well as Construction and Materials. 
Fred, who earned the reputation as an extraordinary boss, was dedicated 
to prioritizing the well-being of his employees and treated them as 
partners. Known as an incredible relationship builder, he was able to 
draw remarkably talented people to the company and regarded them as 
members of the extended Fehsenfeld family.
  Fred's commitment to improving the American economy was equaled by 
his desire to tackle challenges with national implications. This 
passion led him to develop the concept of Critical Commerce Corridors, 
which separate car and truck lanes on interstate highways. The 
corridors will save lives while reducing pollution and congestion. The 
concept of Critical Commerce Corridors was included in the Fixing 
America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act which was signed into law 
on December 4, 2015. Due to his efforts, Indiana's Governor Eric 
Holcomb recognized Fred in 2017 for his many contributions to the State 
of Indiana, naming Interstate 865 the ``Fred M. Fehsenfeld, Sr. 
Highway.''
  In his personal life, Fred was a committed member of his community, a 
member of Junto for over fifty years, a former Chairman of the Asphalt 
Institute and a loyal supporter of his alma mater, Purdue University. 
With gifts to Purdue, he established the Purdue Energy Fund, the 
Fehsenfeld Family Head of Environmental and Ecological Engineering and 
expanded the Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering. He 
also received an honorary doctorate in Civil Engineering from Purdue 
University. In addition, Fred was the recipient of many Sagamores of 
the Wabash from several Indiana governors, the highest honor the 
governor of Indiana can bestow upon a citizen.
  Fred will be forever missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and 
the entire Hoosier community. On behalf of Indiana's Fifth 
Congressional District, I extend my deepest condolences to Fred's wife, 
Barbara, his brother, Mac Fehsenfeld, his five children, Jo (Nick) 
Rutigliano, Fred (Suzie) Fehsenfeld Jr., Jim (Becky) Fehsenfeld, Frank 
(Judy) Fehsenfeld, Judee Fehsenfeld as well as his twenty grandchildren 
and twenty-four great grandchildren.

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