[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 160 (Monday, October 22, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2195]]
                  PAYING TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM LAUB, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 22, 2007

  Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor William Laub, Sr. 
who passed away on October 14, 2007.
   William Laub, Sr. was born on July 20, 1924, and went on to live a 
legacy of service at Southwest Gas and in his community. William's 
father Harold, along with three other partners began Southwest Gas 
during the Depression. In 1964, William succeeded his father as 
Southwest Gas' chief executive officer. He retired in 1988 after 
serving as CEO for 24 years, and as an employee for 40 years.
  In William's time as CEO, Southwest Gas became a major tri-state 
utility and financial services operation. Southwest Gas began as a 
small company with no more than three thousand customers in 
southeastern California and now provides retail natural gas service to 
more than one million customers in California, Arizona, and Nevada. 
William's leadership and love of the company his father began was the 
formula for continued success at Southwest Gas.
  William Laub, Sr. was not only passionate about Southwest Gas, but he 
also was passionate in his love of the community. In the 1960's he 
founded the Laub Foundation, and as a tribute to his father he 
established the Harold G. Laub Scholarship Program for children of 
Southwest Gas employees. He was also instrumental in getting the board 
of directors to approve a 10-year grant of $250,000 to the College of 
Arts and Letters for the Visual and Performing Arts at the University 
of Nevada, Las Vegas. Additionally William served as the President of 
the Boulder Dam Area Council of Boy Scouts, Chairman of the Clark 
County Republican Central Committee, Republican National Committeeman, 
Chairman of the Nevada Equal Rights Commission, and a member of the 
Board of Trustees at KNPR Public Radio among other things. William was 
also a Director Emeritus from the Claremont School of Theology from 
1977-2004, and a Trustee Emeritus of KNPR from 1996-2003.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor William Laub, Sr. Throughout his 
lifetime he was relentlessly committed to the advancement of Southwest 
Gas and the community. He was a wonderful asset to Nevada and I send 
out my deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

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