I think this would be a great thing for Elvis!
franny
Memphis International Airport - Elvis, Issaac Hayes, Martin Luther King or Memphis?: Discussion this past week about chaanging the name of Memphis' International Airport.
From FECC forum: For nearly thirty years Elvis fans have been trying to get two honors for the King which they have not been successful. One is making Elvis' birthday a national holiday. The other is to rename the Memphis airport the Elvis Presley International Airport. This week Memphis Democrat congressman Steve Cohen has spit in the face of Elvis and Elvis fans through out the world by proposing that the name of the airport be changed to the Isaac Hays International Airport. Cohen plans to introduce legislation in the house to have the name changed. With the current political make up of the house and senate. It is likely that acting purely upon political correctness that the name change could be approved. In an election year no one is going to risk being called a racist by voting against changing the name to honor an african american. If anyone is going to be honored by having the name of the airport changed that right belongs to Elvis. Contact your local congressman and senator and demand that if the name is changed that it is changed to the Elvis Presley International Airport.
Meanwhile, Elvis News published a report from Elvis Matters saying: "Each year round Elvis week, rumours are popping up that Memphis International Airport will change it's name to 'Elvis Presley Airport'. With the recent passing of Isaac Hayes, his fanbase is asking to name the airport after him. Airport officials now responded to those rumours and denied everything. They think that the current 'Memphis' name represents the city in it's best way, honoring all the great names the city knows and have knew. It would be an impossible task picking out just one name out of all those people who may deserve it."
EIN Comment: Ever since Elvis' death fans have periodically pushed to have Memphis International Airport renamed in honor of Elvis. Similarly, supporters of Martin Luther King have mounted a similarly strong case. While Isaac Hayes was a great performer he cannot be put in the same socio-cultural league as Elvis or Martin Luther King.
The airport in New Orleans recently changed its name to the Louis Armstrong International Airport. Considering EP's enormous contribution to American history and culture when compared to Armstrong, I think that naming the airport after Elvis is the least that they could do, but again, I'm a little partial to Elvis.
"More people today should see him not simply as a performer, but as an artist with a great soul."
John Bakke, professor emeritus
University of Memphis
interesting, i don't think Martin Luther King should have the Memphis airport named after him - if anything that honor should be given him by Atlanta, IMO! doesn't Memphis have a memorial of some sort devoted to King? i'm pretty sure Dallas has a memorial for JFK.
there are too many great muscians that originated from Memphis a/o Tennessee to designate that honor to Elvis. but since Elvis did so much for Memphis his whole short life, and EPE continues his charitable works, he more than deserves it. i would vote for the naming of Elvis Presley should there be a vote.
a national holiday - i don't think so, as much as i love the man, it just doesn't ring true.
All I wanted was a white knight with a good heart, soft touch, fast horse
Ride me off into the sunset Baby, I'm forever yours
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote