Wal-Mart

established the Sam Walton Business Leader Award in 1995

to recognize local business people who best exemplify the

principles of its founder Sam Walton: respect for the

individual, service to customers and a commitment to

strive for excellence.

"The

Sam Walton Business Leader Award allows our Wal-Mart

associates and Sam's Club partners to salute outstanding

local business men and women and to show our pride in the

local business community," said David Glass,

president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Holmes was

one of more than 1,600 recipients around the country.

Participating chambers received a total of more than

$800,000 in grants from the Wal-Mart Foundation and their

local Wal-Mart stores and Sam's Clubs as part of the

awards program