NASHVILLE - Who's gift to whom was that publicly financed arena south of Beale?
The Tennessee legislature today honored Michael Heisley, the majority owner of the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, for his "outstanding community contributions" - including his charity work like the Memphis Grizzlies House at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Grizzlies Academy and support for Memphis Athletic Ministries.
Heisley, Gene Bartow and the team's furry mascot "Grizz" were joined in the well of the House of Representatives by members of the Shelby County legislative delegation, who presented Heisley with a framed copy of House Joint Resolution 1007, approved earlier by the House and Senate. House Chief Clerk Burney Durham read the 2½-page resolution aloud.
These resolutions - lawmakers approve dozens, sometimes scores of them every day they're in session - are often given to hyperbole, but one whereas may have exceeded even the legislature's standards for that:
"WHEREAS, one of Michael Heisley's greatest gifts to the City of Memphis is one of the crown jewels of the city, the FedExForum, which was completed on time and on budget in September of 2004; FedExForum has become a building that not only serves as an entertainment center for people throughout the Mid-South but also serves as an iconic source of pride throughout the city."
Given the public financing of the $250 million FedExForum, the arena is Heisley's gift to the city? We thought it might be the other way around. Or at least our gift to ourselves?
Still, except maybe for some die-hard Griz fans still aching from last night's 110-84 loss to the Mavericks - the sixth loss out of the last seven games - few can take exception to the resolution's recitation of Heisley's and the Grizzlies' accomplishments in Memphis.
The resolution says, "From the moment Michael Heisley brought the National Basketball Association (NBA) to Tennessee for the first time in the State's history in 2001, his mission was to help build a better Memphis while providing Tennesseans the opportunity of observing some of the finest athletes in the world;
"And whereas in bringing the Grizzlies to Memphis ten years ago, Mr. Heisley immediately injected a sense of excitement and pride into the City of Memphis; and whereas, dedicating himself to giving people throughout the Mid-South a team they could be proud of, he recruited the best of the best in the basketball world to run the team...."
Heidi Shafer, who spearheaded the petition drive that led to a referendum on the public financing (and is now running for the County Commission), was not present.
Heisley thanked lawmakers for "this tremendous honor. I think all of you know that a lot of what has been accomplished by us has been accomplished by a lot of people. And I would just like to thank just a couple of people: one is my associate Stan Meadows, who did more for building the FedExForum than most people know.
"I'd like to thank Pitt Hyde and Staley Cates who have really shown me what philanthropy and charity is all about. They've been a fantastic partner to be with and they deserve a lot of credit for everything we've done. And for Gene Bartow and all the other people behind me here in the Grizzly organization, I've got to tell you that like most organizations it's the people who make it run, not the guy at the head. So I appreciate the honor but I'll take it with those people in mind. Thank you very much."
To read the entire resolution and watch archived video of the presentation: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HJR1007
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