[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 29, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S11655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO BILL GREELY

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Bill Greely on the occasion of his retirement. My good friend Bill 
served as assistant manager and general manager of the Keeneland 
Association for 14 years, and is now stepping down from his successful 
13-year post as the Association's president.
  Bill is a true horseman. He grew up in the Keeneland community, and 
began spending time at the horse track when he was a small child. Bill 
began taking on responsibilities at the horse track when he was just 
seven years old, and has worked in almost every aspect of horse racing 
in tracks around the country--but it is clear that Bill has always been 
partial to Keeneland. In 1972, after years of moving around the country 
from track to track, he finally got his chance to return to his 
hometown, working at the track he loved.
  Bill's long-time affiliation with Keeneland and love of horse racing 
made him an ideal candidate to manage the track and eventually become 
president. Bill's knowledge of the horse industry prepared him for his 
leadership role at Keeneland, and enabled him to make Keeneland one of 
the nation's premiere horse tracks. During his time at Keeneland, Bill 
updated the track's betting options, improved the grandstands and 
grounds, and brought Keeneland to a level of growth that will be hard 
to exceed or even match.
  Keeneland would not be what it is today without Bill's leadership and 
guidance over the last 27 years--and Bill would not be where he is 
today without the love and support of his family. His wife Norma, and 
their children Sean, Kevin and Kara, endured numerous moves before they 
finally settled down in Lexington, and they have helped sustain Bill 
during his demanding career at Keeneland. A third generation horseman, 
Bill has seen first-hand what it takes to simultaneously work the track 
and raise a family--and he has happy, successful children to prove he 
made it work.
  Thank you, Bill, for putting so much of yourself into Keeneland to 
make it a better place for others. Your hard work and successes have 
become your legacy, and will continue to impact the entire horse 
industry for years to come. My colleagues join me in congratulating you 
on a job well done, and wish you all the best as you enter this new 
stage in life.

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