[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 112 (Monday, September 9, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1528-E1529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING A LIFETIME OF WORK AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS BY ROBERT E. ROUNDTREE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ROY BLUNT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 9, 2002

  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a lifetime of work and 
accomplishments by Robert E. Roundtree. A Florida native, Bob Roundtree 
has spent the last 18 years in Springfield, Missouri, where he has been 
the General Manager of Springfield City Utilities.
  Bob Roundtree has risen to the top of his profession in the 
management of public utility companies. His utility career began more 
than half a century ago. He started in 1948 as the ``oiler'' for the 
power plants in his hometown of Gainesville, Florida. Roundtree says an 
``oiler'' is a glorified name for janitor. During the next 30 years, 
Roundtree moved through the ranks of the utility company, retiring in 
1978 from the position of general manager.
  Roundtree moved on to manage utility companies in Brownsville, Texas 
and Dalton, Georgia before arriving in Springfield in 1984. He 
transformed the corporate culture of Springfield City Utilities, which 
provides electricity, natural gas, water and bus services to a 
community of more than 150,000 people. Roundtree put the utility on 
sound financial ground, held utility rates stable, improved the 
reliability of the electric system, instituted safety programs to 
improve gas line safety, and promoted creation of a water pipeline that 
ensures adequate water resources for the community for the next 30 
years. He also placed the utility company at the forefront of economic 
development by directing the creation of a major industrial park that 
is the source of hundreds of new jobs.
  His leadership won him the ``Springfieldian of the Year Award'' in 
1995. He has also been recognized by the Hawthorn Chapter of the 
Professional Secretaries International with

[[Page E1529]]

their ``Executive of the Year Award'' in 1991. The American Public 
Power Association named him their recipient of the ``Alex Radin 
Distinguished Service Award for Individual Achievement.'' Roundtree is 
a past president of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and is a past 
president of the American Public Power Association. He has also given 
his time and energy to Junior Achievement, the Safety Council of the 
Ozarks and serves on the boards of several organizations. His favorite 
non-profit organization is ``Project SHARE,'' a program through City 
Utilities to pay utility bills for those in need.
  Bob Roundtree's big smile and deep voice are reassuring and project 
his confidence and vision. Bob says he is ready to retire to enjoy more 
time with his wife Alice Ruth, his three children, and four 
grandchildren.
  The community he adopted 18 years ago is a better place because of 
his vision, work and diligence. The people of Springfield, Missouri and 
the customers of City Utilities offer Bob their best wishes for a 
bountiful retirement.

                          ____________________