[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 102 (Tuesday, June 18, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E786-E787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF RUPERT M. BARKOFF

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                           HON. DOUG COLLINS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 18, 2019

  Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
life and work of Rupert M. Barkoff, a leader in Atlanta and the 
franchise business community.
  Rupert M. Barkoff was born May 7, 1948, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to 
Martha and Samuel Barkoff. He graduated from the Isidore Newman School 
in New Orleans and later went on to graduate from the University of 
Michigan Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan Law School.
  After graduating from law school, Barkoff moved to Atlanta where he 
practiced law for 46 years with Kilpatrick Townsend and established 
himself as a prominent and beloved member of the firm. With his 
creation of the Fundamentals of Franchising program and book, Barkoff 
transformed the way in which lawyers new to franchising are introduced 
to the business model.
  Known for his generosity of spirit and knowledge in franchisor and 
franchisee practices, Barkoff taught a franchise law course at the 
University of Georgia. He was devoted to his students and took a 
personal interest in each and every one. He even made a point of 
meeting with them individually to discuss their interests and mentor 
them toward their goals.

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  Barkoff was not only a mentor to his students, but also to so many 
involved with the franchise bar. Countless lawyers admired his 
leadership in guiding them through the franchising business model. 
Those who had the pleasure to work with Barkoff will remember him for 
his gentleness, intelligence, and great sense of humor.
  As an early pioneer of franchise law, Barkoff laid the fabric of 
franchising in Atlanta. The Southeast Franchise Forum, of which he was 
a founding member, is a regional organization in Atlanta as part of the 
International Franchise Association, established to foster professional 
relationships throughout the franchise community and to enhance the 
reputation of franchising through the exchange of information, ideas 
and solutions.
  Our home state of Georgia is a thriving franchise hub containing 
26,500 establishments, creating 275,800 jobs, and producing $22.7 
billion in economic output. There are 345 franchise companies 
headquartered in Georgia today, and Barkoff directly contributed to 
this economic boom in our city by ensuring these well-known brands 
operated with the highest standards of compliance in franchising.
  Rupert will always be remembered by his family, friends, and 
colleagues as a trusted friend, a great mind, and a devoted family man. 
His children and his grandchildren, who affectionately called him 
``Umps,'' cherished the many Michigan football games they attended 
together. He is survived by his wife Susan, his two sisters, his three 
children and their spouses, and his many grandchildren, nieces and 
nephews. Our condolences go out to Rupert's family and friends.

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