[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 5583-5584]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH A. McINERNEY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 18, 2013

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Joseph A. 
McInerney, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging 
Association (AH&LA), on the occasion of his departure after 12 years as 
head of the association.
  The lodging industry is a key driver of our Nation's economy, 
employing 1.8 million men and women in hotels, inns, and resorts in all 
50 States, and generating $137.5 billion in annual sales. In my home 
State of Alabama, the industry is responsible for more than 21,000 jobs 
and $654.9 million in employee wages. As head of the one trade 
association representing all interests of hoteliers, Joe has been a 
vocal advocate and leader for the policies and initiatives that have 
brought a renewed strength to lodging since the economic downturn of 
2008.
  Beginning in 1961 with his first job at the Sheraton Chicago, he 
quickly moved up the ranks before being transferred to the franchise 
division of Sheraton as regional director of operations in 1966. Three 
years later, he moved to Winston Salem, North Carolina, to be general 
manager of the Sheraton Inn. In 1970, he was named vice president, 
assistant to the president of the franchise division, and continued to 
move up until being appointed president of ITT's Sheraton franchise 
division in 1980.
  After 25 years with Sheraton, he rose to the position of president 
and CEO for the soon-to-be-launched Hawthorn Suites. His next industry 
position came in 1991, when he was named president and CEO of 
Travelodge and then president and CEO of Forte Hotels in 1992, before 
becoming chairman in 1995. Just before coming to AH&LA in 2001, he 
served as president and CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association and 
was responsible for moving the organization's headquarters from San 
Francisco to Bangkok.
  With more than 50 years in the industry, Joe has seen countless 
innovations and changes--many of which he created and implemented. He 
is widely recognized for having revolutionized the franchise concept 
for Sheraton and popularizing the suite concept for Hawthorn Suites. He 
has also been responsible for the creation of new initiatives to 
encourage and recognize the diversity in the industry, including the 
Under 30 Gateway, a group comprised of young, up-and-coming hoteliers; 
Women in Lodging, made up of leading women CEOs, high-ranking 
executives, and employees in lodging; and the promotion of student 
chapters at colleges and universities across the country.
  An honors graduate of Boston College, Joe has earned the designation 
of Certified Hotel Administration from the American Hotel & Lodging 
Educational Institute. He has been recognized with numerous industry 
awards, including the first 2012 Founding Member award from DePaul 
University College of Commerce School of Hospitality Leadership; 
induction into the 2010 University of Houston's Hospitality Hall of 
Honors; induction into the 2010 Massachusetts Lodging Association Hall 
of Fame; the 2009 J. Patrick Leahy Lifetime Achievement Award from the 
Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association; the 2007 ``Above and Beyond 
Award'' at The Lodging Conference; the ``Tourism Man of the Year'' 
award from the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association; the 1999 
Stephen Brener, Silver Plate Lifetime Achievement Award from 
Hospitality Magazine; the 1998 Pacific/Asia Person of the Year from 
Travel Agent Magazine; and the 1994 Economy Lodging's ``Person of the 
Year.''
  Mr. Speaker, I join with Joe's many friends and colleagues, in 
Alabama and across the country, in celebrating his long and successful 
career and thanking him for his leadership, foresight, and commitment 
to the lodging industry. I know his family--his wife, Ruth, his

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children, Joe and Susan, their spouses, Robin and Ken, and his five 
grandchildren, Elizabeth, Colin, Weston, Finn, and Calla--are 
particularly proud of him and all he has accomplished and look forward 
to being able to spend more time with him in the weeks and months 
ahead.

                          ____________________