[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H573-H574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF DAVID GLASS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Arkansas (Mr. Womack) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of David 
Glass.
  David was born in 1935 and grew up in Mountain View, Missouri. He 
joined the U.S. Army after high school and then earned a degree at 
Missouri State. He started a career in business, eventually making his 
way to Arkansas.
  He was hired by the famous Sam Walton in 1976 as the chief financial 
officer for Walmart, a young discount retailer at the time. Nobody knew 
then that his hiring would transform the company.
  An entrepreneur in his own right, David helped further unleash the 
potential of the organization. Under his leadership, Walmart grew 
exponentially and transformed from a rural chain into the international 
business we all know today.
  After succeeding Sam Walton as the chief executive officer of the 
company, he led the building of supercenters, introduced the sale of 
grocery items, helped develop automated distribution centers, and 
increased international acquisitions and operations. He advanced the 
company into the future while maintaining the founding principles of 
his predecessor, Sam Walton.

[[Page H574]]

  He would never admit it, but much of the success of Walmart and the 
growth of our region is a reflection of the work of David Glass.
  His business expertise was rivaled only by his love of baseball. He 
famously helped keep the Kansas City Royals franchise from leaving 
Kansas City in 1993. Under his ownership, the team saw two American 
League pennants and a World Series trophy in 2015. His passion for the 
sport, the team, and the city helped bring success on the field.
  Whether in Arkansas or Kansas City, the contributions of David Glass 
will long be remembered. I had the privilege of knowing him, not only 
as an accomplished businessman and a novel thinker, but as a friend.
  I hope you will join me in celebrating his life, in praying for his 
wife, Ruth, and his children, Dan, Don, Dayna, and their families 
during the time of his passing.


            Recognizing the Life and Legacy of Forrest Wood

  Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
legacy of a legend in Arkansas business, the founder of Ranger Boats, 
the late Forrest Wood.
  Forrest was born in Flippin, Arkansas, in 1932, and his life 
reflected everything the Natural State has to offer. As a pioneer with 
a love for the outdoors, Forrest spent his time raising cattle and 
acting as a guide on Bull Shoals Lake, the White River, the Buffalo 
River, and Crooked Creek.
  He became known throughout the region as an elite fishing guide. He 
eventually leveraged his skills on the water to create a float trip 
business, and in 1968, he began building lake boats. That year, he 
built six boats. Named after the Army Rangers and the Texas Rangers, 
Forrest Woods' Ranger Boats quickly became a household name in America.
  He soon went from producing 6 to 600, and his novel concept became 
the modern bass boat that we know today. Forrest's ingenuity and vision 
transformed the boating and fishing industry across our Nation.
  No one I know has loved or served Arkansas' great outdoors more than 
Forrest Wood. Whether as an entrepreneur, instructor, or former 
chairman of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, he was committed to 
ensuring people enjoy the outdoors for generations to come.
  He will forever be remembered as a legend in the fishing industry, 
and I believe his biggest asset was his redeeming personality. A loyal 
friend, mentor, and dedicated family man, his genuine smile and caring 
nature will be sorely missed.
  Mr. Speaker, as he is laid to rest this week, I ask that we keep his 
wife, Nina, and the entire Wood family in our prayers.

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