[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 157 (Wednesday, November 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2077-E2078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO ROBERT W. WILLIAMS, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 14, 2001

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Robert W. 
Williams Jr. of South Carolina, who is a recipient of the National 
Distinguished Presidential Award from the National Rural Electric 
Cooperative Association (NRECA). His service to South Carolina includes 
countless hours attracting new industry and better jobs to the Pee Dee 
area of South Carolina. His commitment to rural initiatives has 
afforded a better quality of life to innumerable South Carolinians.

[[Page E2078]]

  Mr. Williams embarked upon his career in rural electrification as 
chief engineer at Onconee Electric Membership located in Dudley, 
Georgia. In 1966, he became general manager of Onconee. During that 
time, he served as special advisor on rural electrification to the Shah 
of Iran at the behest of the United States State Department and helped 
develop a national electrification plan for the entire country.
  As National Rural Electric Cooperative Association team leader for 4 
years in the Philippines, he directed the Philippines Government's 
Department of Economic Development on National and International 
Finance for National Electrification Programs and successfully lobbied 
the Philippine Congress to pass a National Electrification Act that he 
initially drafted. Mr. Williams was awarded the Philippine's highest 
civilian award for his service by President Ferdinand Marcos of the 
Philippines.
  Mr. Williams joined Pee Dee Electric in 1971 as General Manager. He 
has also served as Executive Vice President and currently serves as 
President and CEO. His visionary leadership at Pee Dee Electric 
Cooperative has earned the cooperative the rank of number 1 electric 
cooperative in South Carolina and in the top 5% nationally.
  He is a fierce advocate of education and economic development in the 
Pee Dee region. He serves on the Francis Marion University Board of 
Trustees, the Francis Marion University Foundation board, and serves as 
the Finance and Investments Officer on the School's Foundation Board of 
Trustees. He has been awarded honorary membership in the Francis Marion 
School of Business honor society, Beta Gamma Sigma. He is a past Vice 
Chairman of the Florence County Economic Development Authority.
  From 1976 to 1987, Robert Williams served as a member, national 
director, and Chairman of the National Retirement, Safety and Insurance 
Committee with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, 
Washington DC. He served as National Director and President of the 
National Rural Telecommunication Cooperative from 1984 to 1996, and as 
Vice Chairman and Director of the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission 
from 1992 to 1994. He became the president of Pee Dee Electricom, Inc. 
in 1984 and President of Pee Dee Service Corporation in 1988 and 
currently holds those positions, as well.
  Mr. Williams' many accomplishments and achievements include: being 
awarded the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina's highest civilian 
award, in 1995, and being honored with a tribute from the Pee Dee 
Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees for his numerous contributions 
to the community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me today in honoring Mr. Robert W. 
Williams Jr. for the extraordinary service he has provided for the 
residents of South Carolina. He is a personal friend and trusted 
advisor. I sincerely thank Mr. Williams for the outstanding 
contributions he has given to the State of South Carolina through his 
distinguished service to the field of rural electrification and 
economic development. I congratulate him on all of his accomplishments, 
and wish him good luck and Godspeed in his future endeavors.

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