[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 46 (Thursday, March 12, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING RAVI PATEL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 12, 2026

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I will always cherish my 
association as attorney and friend of Ravindra (Ravi) Patel. Assisting 
him incorporate SREE Hotels, Inc., I saw firsthand his phenomenal 
business acumen and integrity.
  In the best Indian-American tradition, coming to America with limited 
resources, he has built one of America's most successful hotel 
hospitality enterprises providing countless Americans entry-level jobs 
for fulfilling lives. Indian-Americans now own a majority of hotels 
across America with the 6 million Indian Americans having a per capita 
income twice that of other American communities.
  Our family will forever remember his infectious smile and words and 
deeds of encouragement. I will never forget as I began a campaign for 
State Senate his $100 check delivered at the Governor's House Hotel 
restaurant in Columbia as the initial deposit for my successful 
campaign account.
  I include in the Record the following tribute to Ravi that has been 
published by the Asian American Hotel Owners Association:

       ATLANTA (January 21, 2026)--AAHOA extends condolences 
     following the passing of Ravi Patel, who served as AAHOA 
     Chairman from 1992-93. Ravi was a founding member of the 
     association and the Chairman of Charlotte-based SREE Hotels.
       The AAHOA family is deeply saddened by the loss of a true 
     visionary and a foundational pillar of our association,' said 
     AAHOA Chairman Kamalesh (KP) Patel. `Ravi was not just a 
     leader; he was an architect of this organization. During his 
     tenure as Chairman, he took a formative idea and gave it a 
     home--literally and figuratively--by drafting our bylaws and 
     establishing our first headquarters. His transition from 
     chemical engineering to hospitality is a testament to the 
     American Dream, and his legacy lives on in the 30-plus hotels 
     he built and the thousands of hoteliers he inspired.
       Ravi's journey in the hospitality industry began in 1980 
     with the acquisition of a roadside motel in Florence, SC. 
     Drawing on his engineering background, he renovated and 
     repositioned the property as an EconoLodge, turning it into a 
     success that became the cornerstone of SREE Hotels, which he 
     co-founded with Chandra Patel.
       As Chairman from 1992-1993, Ravi's leadership was 
     instrumental in the association's infancy. He focused on 
     providing hoteliers with the tools to gain professional 
     expertise in ownership and management, ensuring that the next 
     generation of Asian American owners had a seat at the table.
       A native of Nadi, Fiji Islands, Ravi studied chemistry and 
     physics at Saint Xavier's College before earning his 
     bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Auburn 
     University. Before his legendary career in hospitality, he 
     served as an engineer for Goodyear. His analytical mind and 
     entrepreneurial spirit helped SREE Hotels grow into a premier 
     management and development group, partnering with global 
     brands including Marriott, Hilton, and IHG.
       ``Ravi's commitment to education and his `do-it-yourself' 
     work ethic defined the early spirit of AAHOA,'' added AAHOA 
     President & CEO Laura Lee Blake. ``He believed that through 
     knowledge and unity, our community could achieve anything. He 
     was a mentor to so many and will be deeply missed. We extend 
     our prayers and deepest condolences to his wife, his 
     children, and the entire SREE Hotels family.''
       Ravi lived in Charlotte, NC, where he remained active as 
     SREE's Chairman and a cherished mentor to many in the 
     industry. His contributions to the hospitality landscape of 
     the Southeast and his service to AAHOA will be remembered for 
     generations to come.

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