[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 24, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING WILLIAM L. GRAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2001

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay special tribute to a 
good friend, close advisor, and leader of the Santa Barbara community, 
Mr. William L. Gray. After twenty-eight years of service, Bill recently 
retired from Pacific Bell.
  Bill started his career at Pacific Bell in 1972 as a customer service 
representative. His commitment to serving the customers of his company 
and the members of his community has been Bill's trademark ever since.
  I have come to know Bill professionally over the past several years 
in his capacity as Director of Pacific Bell's External Affairs for 
Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Of course, Bill was an effective 
advocate for the positions of his company on legislation pending in 
Congress. But more important, Bill was a tireless proponent of the 
limitless potential that communications technology has to benefit our 
society. I learned a tremendous amount from Bill about the range of 
technology choices consumers can and should expect in the years ahead. 
His counsel was particularly helpful to me in my role as a member of 
the Committee on Commerce.
  Mr. Speaker, there are few institutions in Santa Barbara County that 
have not benefited from Bill Gray's substantial and generous community 
activism. He served on the Board of Directors of the Goleta Valley and 
Santa Barbara Region Chambers of Commerce, the Kiwanis club, the Santa 
Barbara Chamber Orchestra, Santa Barbara Partners in Education, Santa 
Barbara Family YMCA, the Red Cross, and the United Way. He has also 
contributed significantly to business and civic groups in Santa Maria, 
Lompoc, Carpinteria, and Solvang.
  Although Bill may have retired from his job, I know that he and his 
wife Cindy will not retire from their commitment to improving the 
quality of life in our community. I will miss working directly with 
Bill on issues involving Pacific Bell, but I know that I will continue 
to witness the wonderful contributions he makes to Santa Barbara 
County. I hope all of my colleagues will join me in congratulating Bill 
Gray on his lifetime of accomplishments and achievement.

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