[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 81 (Tuesday, May 16, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1043]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           HONORING TOM BOLACK

                                 ______


                          HON. BILL RICHARDSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 16, 1995
  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, each of us is blessed with the 
responsibility of representing thousands of hard working Americans back 
in our districts. Of course, some of our constituents distinguish 
themselves by excelling in a particular field whether it is business, 
public service, athletics, or a whole host of other specialties.
  One of my most distinguishable constituents is celebrating his 77th 
birthday. Tom Bolack, whose life has been one giant success story, is 
still going strong. Over the years, he has excelled in politics, 
business, and ranching.
  In 1942, this Kansas native had a vision of rich oil deposits in the 
San Juan Basin of New Mexico. His hunch was based on some self-taught 
geology basics. Experts called his dream a fool's dream. As Tom Bolack 
says, he followed his dream ``to a pool of oil and gas that would 
quench the thirst of even my harshest critic, the geologist who 
declared he would drink every drop of oil I found in the Basin!''
  Tom Bolack's reward for perseverance is his cherished home, his 
ranch, the B-Square, just outside Farmington, NM. It is 12,500 acres of 
agriculture, livestock, wildlife, and conservation and of course oil 
and gas.
  Tom Bolack's political career began in the 1950's with his election 
to mayor of the city of Farmington. After serving as mayor, he pushed 
for construction of the Upper Colorado River Project. He helped secure 
Federal funding for one of the Southwest's greatest water engineering 
accomplishments, the Navajo Dam and Reservoir on the San Juan River.
  After his lobbying days, Mayor Bolack ran for and was elected to the 
New Mexico State Legislature. In 1961, he became the first Republican 
Lieutenant Governor in 35 years. The following year, he was sworn into 
office as Governor and served out the remainder of Ed Mechem's term.
  Governor Bolack retired from career politics after his 1962 service 
as Governor. But he has remained active in Republican circles over the 
last 30 years.
  Governor Bolack has distinguished himself as an outstanding citizen 
who had a dream, pursued it and excelled in business, ranching, and 
politics. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring former New Mexico 
Governor Tom Bolack as he celebrates his 77th birthday.


                          ____________________