[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 29, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E317-E318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF SUNNY KING

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 29, 2022

  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
100th Anniversary of the Sunny King Automotive Group.
  In 1922, E. D. King acquired the Ford Motor Company franchise 
currently operated by King Motor Co., Inc. As a Ford franchise 
continuously operated by the same family in the United States, it's the 
second oldest in the State of Alabama and 18th oldest in the United 
States.
  Through a 1922 merger involving principals E. D. King, J. F. King and 
J. C. Wheeler, as well as Wheeler Motor Company and Oxford Motor 
Company, King-Wheeler Motor Co. was formed. An advertisement appearing 
in the April 7, 1922, edition of The Anniston Star stated King and 
Wheeler had been ``in the Ford business for a number of years'' and 
claimed the new combination assured ``the trade of the best and finest 
service available''.
  King Wheeler Motor Co. was conveniently located at 110 East 11th 
Street in downtown Anniston and the business retailed both cars and 
tractors. The company operated under the core principle: ``every 
transaction must be satisfactory . . . to every customer.''
  J. F. King left King Wheeler Motor Co. to pursue and operate a 
Lincoln franchise while E. D. King retained King Wheeler Motor Co. The 
name of the company was later changed to King Motor Company which was 
initially incorporated as King Motor Co., Inc. on December 15, 1947.
  In the early 1950s the leadership of King Motor Company transitioned 
from E. D. King, Sr., the meticulous, organized businessman to E. D. 
``Sunny'' King, Jr., the flamboyant, energetic promotor with the 
magnetic personality. E. D. King, Sr. became President and major 
shareholder in Anniston National Bank, that is now Regions Bank.
  Under the leadership of Sunny King, Jr., Sunny King Ford became a 
local household name through advertising and promotion. NASCAR stock 
car racing was a constant through sponsorship of great drivers like 
Bill Elliot, Donnie Allison and Ken Schrader.
  In 1971, the expansion of Sunny King Ford required relocation to a 
newly constructed facility located at 1507 South Quintard Avenue. This 
expansion continued until 1989 with the

[[Page E318]]

addition of Honda, Chrysler Plymouth, AMC-Jeep-Renault, Isuzu, Subaru, 
Yugo, Daihatsu, Hyundai, Volvo, Sterling, Pontiac-Cadillac-GMC and 
Toyota franchises. Additional Honda franchises were opened in Auburn 
and Sylacauga and Acura franchises were located in Hoover and 
Huntsville.
  E. D. King, III and Henry L. King continue to operate the Auburn 
Honda franchise and the Hoover Acura franchise, respectively, to this 
day.
  Sunny King became a well-known, accomplished community leader 
throughout his career. His many accomplishments included Time Dealer of 
the Year for Alabama (1988), Anniston Star Citizen of the Year in 1988 
and an invitation to join the national Honda Dealer Council.
  King was a huge contributor and supporter of his community. 
Organizations such as Knox Concert Series, Northeast Alabama Boys and 
Girls Club, J. S. U. Foundation, Rainbow Omega, Salvation Army, United 
Way, Cerebral Palsy Center, CAST, Alabama Baptist Children's Home and 
numerous schools, churches and local charities have benefitted from 
this long-term generosity. Notable annual events such as the Sunny King 
Charity Classic, the Woodstock 5K and the Sunny King Criterium, 
continue to receive support from the Sunny King Automotive Group 
organization.
  On September 11, 1990, King, Jr. passed away following a brief battle 
with cancer. Patricia M. King became the third successive King to 
assume the leadership role of the organization, taking control during a 
difficult business and legal environment. In 2015, John T. Bryan, Jr. 
became the fourth President of King Motor Co., Inc. and the first not 
named King to assume that position. Through the leadership of Patricia 
M. King and John T. Bryan, Jr. the Sunny King Automotive Group 
organization was able to survive and grow.
  The company focused its financial resources on the Ford, Honda and 
Toyota franchises. New facilities were constructed for Sunny King Honda 
(2002) and Sunny King Toyota (2006) in Oxford. A major renovation to 
the 1507 South Quintard facility of Sunny King Ford was completed in 
2013.
  The Sunny King organization will celebrate this milestone on April 22 
at the Anniston Country Club.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Sunny King Automotive 
Group on their 100th Anniversary.

                          ____________________