[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 130 (Friday, October 7, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11298-S11299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING FORMER GOVERNOR STAN HATHAWAY

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the life 
and memory of Stan K. Hathaway. Sadly, Stan passed away on October 4, 
at the age of 81.
  One of six children, Stan was born in Osceola, NE. He grew up in 
Huntley, WY. Stan attended the University of Wyoming until he heard the 
call of duty, and in 1943, he left college and joined the Army Air 
Corps to serve his country in World War II. During the war, he flew 
bomber missions. For his service, Stan received the French Criox de 
Guerre, U.S. Presidential Unit Citations and five air medals.
  When Stan returned from his tour in Europe, he enrolled at the 
University of Nebraska to finish his bachelor's degree and continued on 
to complete his law degree at the same institution. While there, he met 
and married his lovely wife Bobby. Bobby was the light in his life. 
Their relationship was strong and full of love. They complimented one 
another beautifully, and together, they accomplished tremendous things.
  Following Stan's graduation from law school, he and Bobby moved to 
Torrington. Bobby began teaching, and Stan established his law 
practice. Here, they had their two daughters, Susan and Sandra. In 
1954, Stan was elected Goshen County Attorney, and in 1966, he was 
elected Governor. After his second term as governor, President Ford 
appointed Stan as secretary of the interior in 1975. He was Wyoming's 
first cabinet officer. Health issues forced his resignation shortly 
after his appointment, and he moved to Cheyenne to resume his law 
practice.
  Stan always looked toward the future, and his innumerable 
contributions still resonate in our great State. During his two terms 
as Governor, Stan initiated groundbreaking policy for Wyoming. He 
enacted the State's first severance tax on minerals and created the 
Permanent Mineral Trust Fund where severance tax money is invested. The 
fund now totals more than $2 billion and earns enough to run a major 
portion of the State's government operations.

[[Page S11299]]

  Recognizing the value of our State's natural heritage and the need 
for conservation, Stan approved Wyoming's first environmental controls 
on its minerals industry. In addition to creating the State department 
of environmental quality, he signed into law the State air quality act 
in 1967 and the State water quality act in 1968. He was also a founding 
member of the Wyoming Heritage Society/Wyoming Heritage Foundation in 
1979. Stan was determined to protect Wyoming's natural treasures while 
securing its economic future.
  Governor Hathaway also had a great love for arts. He signed the 1967 
bill which established the Wyoming Arts Council. He and Bobby were 
leading patrons of the arts, helped lead the charge to inaugurate 
public funding for the arts in the State, and helped develop many State 
programs to encourage art.
  Stan believed the most important thing Wyoming could give its youth 
was an education and opportunities to stay in the State. In recognition 
of his contributions to higher education, the 2005 Wyoming Legislature 
named the ``Hathaway Student Scholarship Endowment Account,'' a $400 
million dollar endowment for academic scholarships and endowed chairs 
at the State's universities and community colleges, in Stan and Bobby's 
honor.
  Governor Hathaway's trailblazing efforts earned him many 
recognitions. Many credit him with helping Wyoming pull out of its 
economic depression during the 1950s and 1960s. In 2000, Stan was the 
recipient of the Mary Mead Steinhaur Heritage Award for his 
achievements in public service, private sector leadership and 
commitment to Wyoming's economic growth. Stan and Bobby also received 
the Governor's Arts Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2003.
  Stan and Bobby were dear friends of my wife Susan and I. Susan's 
father, Harry Roberts, served in Governor Hathaway's administration as 
the superintendent of public instruction. She recalls Stan's deep 
beliefs and great passion. When Stan spoke, you couldn't help but 
listen. He was a true leader and a good man. Stan will be sorely 
missed.

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