[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 25 (Thursday, February 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               A TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM ``BILL'' GORTON CREEL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 11, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, it is with great privilege to rise today 
to honor an outstanding American, Bill Creel. Bill is a civic leader 
and pipeliner, who is beloved by his family, friends, and state. He is 
a man whose devotion to family, friends, church and business of 
Bartlesville, Oklahoma is legendary. Bill is turning 70 years old on 
February 19th.
  Born in Bartlesville in 1929, Bill has devoted his life to bettering 
the town he so loves. His untiring work and generosity have earned him 
countless awards and recognition throughout his city and state.
  Bill was a pioneer in oil exploration and pipelining. His career took 
him from Bartlesville to oil fiends throughout the world including 
North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. After 29 years 
of service, Bill retired in 1979 as President of H.C. Price Company 
International.
  Rather than enjoying a much-deserved retirement, Creel began his 
second career, turning his business and managerial skills toward 
helping his hometown of Bartlesville. Bill distinguished himself while 
serving as the President of the Bartlesville Area Chamber of Commerce 
by providing the necessary leadership to recruit new industries, 
develop tourism, and pass new sales tax legislation to fund economic 
development. His efforts on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, the Girl 
Scouts, the Public Library, the Oklahoma Mozart Festival, Junior 
Achievement, the Rotary Club, Jane Phillips Hospital, Woolaroc, and St. 
Johns Catholic Church as well as several historical sites throughout 
the area earned him statewide recognition through a dedicated ``Bill 
Creel Day'' in the state of Oklahoma. In addition, Bill was awarded the 
Governor's Art Award, Outstanding Citizen Award, membership in the 
Piepliner's Hall of Fame, Girl Scouts Green Angel, Boy Scout's Eagle 
Award, Civitan International Citizen of the Year Award, Junior 
Achievement Leadership Award, Centennial Award and Historian of the 
Year.
  Bill Creel is a great man, husband, father, friend and proud 
American. He deserves special recognition for the many contributions he 
has made to the advancement of civic improvement through the arts and 
education, commercial and economic development, and for accomplishing 
his lifelong goal of making the world a better place.

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