[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1884]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING WILLIAM H. GATES, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2008

  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of a committed 
philanthropist, an exemplary public servant and an honorable veteran, 
William H. Gates, Sr. Through a lifetime of work and leadership, Mr. 
Gates has accomplished extraordinary good; changing millions of lives 
for the better. Although he cares little about personal accolades and 
awards--of which he has received many--I believe he is the living 
embodiment of the spirit of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It is an 
award he richly deserves.
  An Eagle Scout from Bremerton, Washington, Mr. Gates served 3 years 
in the U.S. Army during World War II before earning his bachelors and 
law degrees from the University of Washington in 1949 and 1950, 
respectively. His law career led to the establishment of one of the 
largest and most successful law firms in Seattle.
  No matter his professional aspirations, Mr. Gates never wavered in 
his philanthropic spirit. As president of both the Seattle/King County 
and the Washington State Bar associations, he focused his efforts on 
equal justice for the poor and disadvantaged, ultimately prompting the 
Washington Supreme Court to create an Access to Justice Board, now a 
national model.
  Additionally, he and his late wife, Mary Maxwell Gates, served 
admirably with the United Way of King County, Washington, beginning in 
the 1960s and spanning several decades. Mrs. Gates became board chair 
of the United Way in 1973, a position Mr. Gates presently occupies. In 
all, Mr. Gates has served as a trustee, officer and volunteer for more 
than two dozen organizations in northwest Washington.
  Perhaps his most lasting and indelible legacy will be his work as the 
co-chair and CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a philanthropy 
with an endowment of more than $24 billion, the largest in history. 
With the help of his son, Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft 
Corporation, the Gates Foundation has provided an outlet for Mr. Gates 
to continue his lifelong quest for equality in every aspect of life--
especially education.
  Most are aware of the inspirational work the foundation has done 
around the world to combat crises in health and education in some of 
the most impoverished nations in the world. What is less known is the 
``smaller'' help the foundation provides to local school districts and 
townships to help spur a promising educational program or fill a gap in 
technology funds. Countless examples exist nationwide of significant 
progress made in all areas of education because of a gift from the 
Gates Foundation.
  The incredible vision of Mr. Gates, his son Bill and wife Melinda, is 
truly a blessing to the entire world and it is a vision Mr. Gates 
cultivated and perfected over many decades.
  The tireless work of Mr. Gates on behalf of the less fortunate in the 
United States and around the world is well documented. The impact of 
his lifelong ambitions is legendary. Recipients of the Presidential 
Medal of Freedom have, among other things, ``been leaders in their 
chosen fields, have led lives of vision and character, and have made 
especially meritorious contributions to our nation and the world.'' I 
can think of no one who fulfills that description better than William 
H. Gates, Sr.

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