[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 4 (Thursday, January 27, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E13-E14]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF WILLIAM J. BRESNAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 27, 2000

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a good 
friend, Mr. Bill Bresnan, who has been, over the past 40 years, a 
primary leader in the growth of the cable television industry, not only 
in my home town of

[[Page E14]]

Bay City, MI, but throughout the Midwest, including Minnesota, 
Nebraska, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Illinois. Under his leadership, 
Bresnan Communications has also become known for its many educational 
programs, its emphasis on minority advancement, and for community 
relations initiatives that recognize the civic contributions of local 
citizens and seniors.
  A native of Mankato, MN, Bill Bresnan began his career in 1958 when, 
at the age of 25, he designed and built his first cable system in 
Rochester, MN, for a group of local investors. That company was 
acquired by Jack Kent Cooke, Inc. in 1965, and Bill was appointed its 
vice president of engineering. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed to 
serve as its executive vice president.
  From 1972 to 1982, Bill held various influential positions in the 
Teleprompter Corporation, which was then one of the largest cable 
organizations in the United States. These include president of 
Teleprompter's Cable Division, Board of Directors and the Executive 
Committee. In 1981, when Teleprompter was bought by Westinghouse 
Electric Corp., he was appointed chairman and chief executive officer 
of the resulting new company, Group W Cable, Inc.
  During this time, Bill played a major role in helping advance 
cutting-edge technology in the burgeoning cable industry. He was 
instrumental in sending the first domestic satellite transmission using 
a Canadian ANIK satellite in 1973. Three years later he helped initiate 
the first commercial communications system in the United States to use 
optical fibers.
  In 1984, Bill founded Bresnan Communications, which currently serves 
over 660,000 customers. The company's Midwestern market is not 
accidental, and is a good example of Bill's civic-minded business 
philosophy. Bill has made it a priority to invest in the small and 
medium sized communities in America's heartland, to make sure that 
cutting-edge technology does not bypass these hard-working Americans, 
in favor of large communities on the west or east coasts of the United 
States.
  Bill has also made it a priority to invest in America's young adults. 
He was an early pioneer in the development and construction of 
interactive television networks for distant learning. Working with 
local school districts and colleges, Bill was a key motivator in 
connecting educational facilities via fiber and coaxial cable, enabling 
many schools to conduct fully interactive classes simultaneously across 
great distances.
  The admiration and respect of Bresnan employees for their president 
is legendary within the industry. Bill is known as an extraordinarily 
generous person and a boss who sees all of his 1,400 employees as his 
equal. He allocates a significant percent of revenue to establishing 
and promoting community relations initiatives that recognize local 
senior citizens and minorities. Indeed, his commitment to advancing the 
interests of minorities--in their recruitment, placement and training--
was recognized in September 1999 by the Walter Kaitz Foundation. Bill 
received the ``Partnership in Diversity'' award, one of the industry's 
highest honors.
  I can assure you, Mr. Speaker, that there are not many businessmen 
today who are as committed to the technological advancements of the 
future as Mr. Bill Bresnan. There are not many who feel the necessity 
of bringing advancements to those who might not otherwise have access 
to them: Americans on the family farm in Michigan, or minorities, or 
school children in the Midwest. Bill Bresnan has many plans for the 
future, and I wish him much success in all his endeavors. I am 
positive, Mr. Speaker, that we in Michigan will be the grateful 
beneficiaries.

                          ____________________