[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 76 (Wednesday, June 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN MEMORY OF PERRY RICHARDSON BASS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAY GRANGER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 14, 2006

  Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of the leading 
citizens of District 12 and the Fort Worth community that I serve, 
Perry Richardson Bass. On June 1, 2006 Mr. Bass died at his home at the 
age of 91. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram aptly described Mr. Bass as ``a 
Texas oilman who turned his riches into philanthropic gold for Fort 
Worth, the state and the nation.'' Mr. Bass's legacy continues in his 
four sons--Sid, Ed, Robert and Lee--who, in their own right, are 
business leaders and philanthropists.
  Those of us who knew Mr. Bass had an incredible opportunity to see 
how a man who had worked in the West Texas oil fields had come to be a 
legend not only in the oil business, but also in the world of high 
finance, civic and public service endeavors, and the arts. Mr. Bass 
touched the lives of millions of people in Fort Worth, in Texas and in 
the United States. Sometimes he did this in dramatic fashion, as with 
the creation of the marvelous Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth to 
which he and his family made a major financial contribution, and other 
times, he did it in untold ways so people's lives could be bettered.
  Mr. Bass was born on November 11, 1914 in Wichita Falls, TX. He was 
the son of Dr. E.P. Bass, who left an East Texas medical practice for 
the oil industry, and Annie Richardson Bass. After attending a boarding 
school in Pennsylvania, Mr. Bass earned a science degree in geology 
from Yale University in 1937. Mr. Bass became enamored with the Texas 
oil business as a teen when he assisted his uncle, Sid Richardson, also 
a legendary Texas oilman. After Yale, Mr. Bass joined his uncle as a 
business advisor and they formed the Richardson & Bass Co. Upon the 
death of Mr. Richardson, Mr. Bass created Bass Brothers Enterprises 
which he operated on behalf of himself and his four sons until 1991 
when his oldest son, Sid, took control of the company. Bass Brothers 
Enterprises flourished into one of American's most successful companies 
with a wide array of business interests that at one time included a 
major stake in the Walt Disney Companies. Mr. Bass also was chair of 
the Sid Richardson Foundation, created by Mr. Richardson, which has 
been a generous benefactor of District 12, Texas and the Nation.
  While he will be remembered for many accomplishments as a superb 
businessman, Mr. Bass said his proudest accomplishment was his service 
on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission that he chaired. During his 
tenure on the commission, he was instrumental in the creation of 
numerous wildlife conservation efforts. Mr. Bass and his family 
rightfully are credited with transforming downtown Fort Worth into one 
of the most vibrant downtowns in the U.S. through the construction of 
high-rise office buildings, the renovation of turn-of-the-century 
storefronts and by introducing innovative downtown housing. Mr. Bass 
demonstrated his love of the arts by not only generously funding the 
arts, but also by serving as a member of the National Gallery of Art's 
Trustees' Council.
  Mr. Bass's life will be best remembered for two things: the love of 
his family and his generosity. Mr. Bass described his beloved wife 
Nancy Lee Bass and their four sons as the greatest treasures of his 
life. He also called his sons Sid, Ed, Robert and Lee his greatest 
accomplishment. His sons have followed in their father's footsteps by 
their generosity, creativity, sharp business sense and love of 
community. Mr. Bass also felt that he should share his successes 
through his generosity. Nothing epitomizes this deeply held belief than 
a decision by Mr. and Mrs. Bass to mark their 50th wedding anniversary 
by contributing $50 million to 50 institutions and organizations.

  Mr. Bass's great business skills, his love of wildlife, his generous 
philanthropy, his absolute devotion to his wife Nancy Lee Bass and sons 
Sid, Ed, Robert and Lee and their families, and his visions have 
resulted in a better Fort Worth, a better Texas and a better United 
States. It is with humility that I honor Perry Richardson Bass as a 
great American who used his skills and treasures wisely. Mr. Bass will 
be missed but not forgotten.

                          ____________________