[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 111 (Tuesday, September 19, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H7827]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1845
                   HONORING THE MEMORY OF BILL ASKEW

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BLUNT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and the 
life of Reverend William F. Askew, a man whose life touched so many in 
southwest Missouri and around the world because of his dedication to 
serving others.
  In World War II, the Marine Corps taught him that duty, honor, 
country was more than a motto. It was a commitment to the ideas that he 
instilled in others as a drill sergeant and a commitment that followed 
him all his days.
  Coming back from the war and beginning a career in civilian 
commercial radio, he accepted Christ; and his faith became the driving 
center of his life. Service to others was natural for Bill Askew. He 
was a founding pastor of the Arlington Heights Baptist Church in 
Jacksonville, Florida; but he also found time to serve as the chaplain 
of the Duval County Fire Department. He sought opportunities to serve 
the spiritual and emotional needs of firemen from around Florida and 
the victims of the fires they fought.
  Service to others was his focus when he moved his wife, Doris, and 
seven of their nine children to Springfield, Missouri, in 1968, to help 
found the area's first Christian radio station. He served as general 
manager of KWFC serving portions of four States until his death last 
week.
  Despite the responsibilities he faced in running a radio station, he 
also committed to serving residents of northern Greene County as the 
pastor of the Noble Hill Baptist Church, often traveling back roads to 
meet the needs of a large rural area as well as those of the 
surrounding communities.
  Service was the keynote of his life, whether he was helping form the 
North Springfield Betterment Association or teaching classes at Baptist 
Bible College. Bill, or ``Mr. A'' as many of his friends called him, 
was dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those he served. 
Some of those now serve as missionaries, as business leaders, 
government officials; and they reflect his inspiration for their lives. 
He was a confidant, a mentor, an advisor, a friend to so many; and he 
often did it with so little fanfare.
  Bill Askew was a family man. Even though he gave much to others, he 
was happiest when surrounded by his children, his grandchildren and his 
great grandchildren. He shared their joys and comforted their pain.
  Madam Speaker, with his passing, southwest Missouri has lost a great 
spiritual and civic leader, a friend and a guiding force for many in 
our community. I ask that God bless him and his family as we share in 
their loss.

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