Airport Stays ‘Memphis International’ — Officials Nix Request to Rename Facility After Isaac Hayes

By Wayne Risher

The Airport Authority torpedoed U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen’s request to rename Memphis International Airport for Stax legend Isaac Hayes.

Three days after the Memphis Democrat proposed Isaac Hayes Memphis International Airport, airport commissioners soundly rejected the idea Thursday.

They paid homage to Hayes, who died Aug. 10 at 65, but said changing the name would be tampering with success.

“I think Isaac Hayes has done a lot for this community. So have a lot of other people. I think there’s tremendous equity in the name Memphis International Airport around the world,” said board member Herb Hilliard.

Member Ruby Wharton added, “I have always been a firm believer this airport needs to carry the name Memphis International, and it needs to remain that.”

Cohen raised the suggestion during a star-studded celebration of Hayes’ life Monday. In a letter to airport officials, he wrote, “The name ‘Isaac Hayes Memphis International Airport’ would appropriately demonstrate the degree of Memphis’ respect for one of its greatest talents who, in advancing his entertainment career and humanitarian work, also acted as a leading ambassador for Memphis around the world.”

Cohen didn’t attend the meeting, but said later he wasn’t surprised.

“They didn’t rename it for Elvis. If they wouldn’t name it for Elvis, it’s pretty obvious in retrospect they wouldn’t name it for Isaac. Isaac’s in good company.”

Authority chairman Arnold Perl echoed the sentiments of board members. He said Memphis International Airport is a brand name that is “more important than any individual.”

Perl said the resolution was added to the authority’s regular monthly meeting agenda out of respect for Cohen.

Cohen said he wouldn’t pursue the matter.

Some supporters didn’t think it should be dropped, however.

Rev. Kenneth T. Whalum Jr. said, “I believe there is enough interest among the people of Memphis to at least hear convincing arguments for changing the name to The Isaac Hayes Memphis International Airport, and I am convinced that my friends in the local entertainment, civic, business, and religious community would be very excited about a vigorous pursuit of such a worthy cause.”

– Wayne Risher: 529-2874

Originally published by Wayne Risher risher@commercialappeal.com .

(c) 2008 Commercial Appeal, The. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.