A resolution honoring the life, achievements, and legacy of Frederick W. Smith.

This resolution honors the life, achievements, and legacy of Frederick W. Smith, the founder of the company FedEx. The resolution also honors his dedication to the city of Memphis, Tennessee.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 308 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 308

   Honoring the life, achievements, and legacy of Frederick W. Smith.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                June 26 (legislative day, June 24), 2025

 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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Honoring the life, achievements, and legacy of Frederick W. Smith.

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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