[Page S3566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 SENATE RESOLUTION 308--HONORING THE LIFE, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND LEGACY OF 
                           FREDERICK W. SMITH

  Mrs. BLACKBURN (for herself, Mr. Hagerty, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Barrasso, 
Mr. Daines, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Wicker, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, and Mr. Sullivan) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 308

       Whereas Frederick W. Smith was born on August 11, 1944, in 
     Marks, Mississippi;
       Whereas Fred Smith was raised and lived most of his life in 
     Memphis, Tennessee;
       Whereas Fred Smith attended elementary school at 
     Presbyterian Day School and high school at Memphis University 
     School, where he was voted ``Best All-Round'' by his class;
       Whereas Fred Smith earned his bachelor's degree in 
     economics from Yale University;
       Whereas, upon graduation, Fred Smith was commissioned in 
     the United States Marine Corps, during which time he served 2 
     tours of duty in the Vietnam War, was honorably discharged in 
     1973 with the rank of captain, and received the Silver Star, 
     the Bronze Star, and 2 Purple Hearts;
       Whereas, after 4 years of service in the Marines, Fred 
     Smith launched Federal Express (referred to in this preamble 
     as ``FedEx''), a company dedicated to the overnight shipping 
     of small packages and documents, originally only offering 
     service to 25 cities with a fleet of 14 jets;
       Whereas, in the first few years of the existence of FedEx, 
     Fred Smith worked tirelessly to keep FedEx open for business;
       Whereas, because of the hard work of Fred Smith, FedEx 
     quickly grew to become one of the most successful and iconic 
     corporations in the United States, with operations that 
     include more than 700 aircraft, more than 200,000 vehicles, 
     approximately 5,000 operating facilities, and hundreds of 
     thousands of employees;
       Whereas, due to the vision of Fred Smith, FedEx 
     revolutionized the package delivery system and has become a 
     global giant in transportation, logistics, and e-commerce;
       Whereas the air shipping operations of FedEx are based at 
     its primary hub at Memphis International Airport, making the 
     city of Memphis, Tennessee, a center for global logistics;
       Whereas, in addition to his immense successes with FedEx, 
     Fred Smith also gave back to his community, launching 
     numerous philanthropic initiatives that worked to make the 
     world better for children, the people of Memphis, and all 
     people of the United States;
       Whereas Fred Smith was preceded in death by his daughter, 
     Windland Smith Rice, and is survived by his wife, Diane 
     Smith, and his 9 children, 31 grandchildren, and 2 great-
     grandchildren; and
       Whereas Fred Smith was a trailblazer who revolutionized 
     global logistics, set an example for entrepreneurs across the 
     United States, and worked his entire life to serve his 
     community and the United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors the life, achievements, and legacy of Frederick 
     W. Smith for--
       (A) his accomplishments as a pioneer who revolutionized the 
     transportation and express delivery industry;
       (B) his inspiration to future generations of community 
     leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs in the United States; 
     and
       (C) his dedication to Memphis, Tennessee, a city that he 
     loved dearly and committed to supporting and uplifting 
     throughout his entire life; and
       (2) respectfully requests the Secretary of the Senate--
       (A) communicate this resolution to the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (B) transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the 
     family of Fred Smith.

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