[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 9, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S11241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING GENERAL BILL CREECH

  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a man of 
remarkable leadership, dedication, and courage and to join Nevadans and 
Americans in mourning the loss of retired Air Force General Bill 
Creech.
  As chairman of the Military Readiness Subcommittee, I have learned a 
great deal about what it has taken and what it will continue to take 
for our armed services to be the top military in the world, bar none. 
For the strength, effectiveness, and success of today's Air Force, this 
nation owes a debt of gratitude to Bill Creech.
  Creech started as a private in the Air Force in 1944, and as he rose 
14 rungs to four-star general, he never forgot what it was like to be 
at the bottom. During almost 40 years of service to this nation, he 
flew 280 missions as a combat pilot and was decorated 39 times, 
including 22 awards for bravery in combat.
  In 1960, he came to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas where he was 
director of operations for the ``Top Gun'' Fighter Weapons School and 
during which his relationship to southern Nevada first formed.
  In 1978, he earned his fourth star and became commander of the 
Tactical Air Command, or TAC, at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. 
During his 6\1/2\ years as commander, Creech showed the Air Force how 
to get the job done, and his leadership continues to be a lesson to us 
all. Under his direction, TAC's productivity improved by 80 percent and 
resulted in $12 billion of savings for the government.
  And while Creech cut out the fat and waste, he oversaw the 
development of a new generation of air fighters including many modern 
jets as well as our prized Stealth fighter that eludes radar detection. 
Creech also used his experiences in Vietnam to develop night-flying 
tactics that led to our victories in the Persian Gulf War and Iraq.
  After his retirement from the military, Creech became an 
internationally recognized management consultant with a best-selling 
book on total quality management based on his success restructuring the 
Air Force. For anyone who manages a single office or a multi-billion 
dollar corporation, Creech's message is invaluable. By rewarding 
accomplishments, creating pride in ownership, and developing a team 
atmosphere, the human factor endures and success results.
  To southern Nevadans, Bill Creech will always hold a special place in 
our hearts for his loyalty and dedication to our beloved Thunderbirds, 
the air demonstration team that calls Nellis Air Force Base home. A 
Thunderbird pilot who flew 125 demonstration shows, Creech was once 
referred to as ``the father of the Thunderbirds,'' and he believed that 
the Thunderbirds inspired young people to join the Air Force.
  The Thunderbirds exist today because Bill Creech stood up for them. 
After four pilots were killed in fight, he publicly stated that if the 
team suffered an accident during his tenure he would resign. We are 
grateful that he took that stand. I have had the honor of watching the 
Thunderbirds in action on many occasions. They display the power and 
awesomeness of our Air Force and the dedication of people like Bill 
Creech who lift this nation to new heights so that we may all continue 
to soar.
  To Bill's wife, Caroline, I offer the condolences and admiration of 
Nevadans and Americans. This great Nation that Bill Creech risked his 
life for and lived his life for will always be grateful for his 
contributions.

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