[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 116 (Tuesday, August 3, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S6644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         REMEMBERING JOE REBER

 Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a great 
Montanan who led a remarkable life. Joe Reber was deeply involved in 
public service and the communities he called home in Montana; he passed 
away on July 23 at the age of 91. Joe lived life to the fullest and I 
feel lucky to have had him as a dear friend for so long.
  Joe was born in Butte in 1919. He grew up in a working class family 
and is a great symbol of the Montana spirit of hard work and overcoming 
adversity. His first job as a youngster was selling newspapers on the 
street in Butte to help support his family. Although Joe never finished 
high school or went to college, he was a successful businessman and 
community leader whose experiences gave him many stories to tell over 
his 91 colorful years.
  Joe served his country honorably during World War II. He volunteered 
in the Merchant Marine and the Coast Guard, serving as a staff officer 
in the Pacific theater.
  Despite his humble upbringing in the Mining City, Joe became a 
successful entrepreneur. He started his own plumbing company in Helena, 
which he later expanded into electrical and general construction. He 
then went on to form the Reber Realty and Development Company and the 
Capitol Wholesale Plumbing Supply Company, among other businesses he 
owned. Even with all this success Joe never forgot his working class 
roots, growing up the son of a miner in Butte.
  Joe was very active in public service on a local and national level. 
He served as treasurer for the Montana Democratic Party, was a State 
senator, was chairman of the Montana Board of Natural Resources, served 
on the State Board of Investments, and was a delegate to a United 
Nations World Food Program conference. One of his proudest 
accomplishments was passing legislation in the State legislature that 
created a vocational education program. Joe recognized the importance 
of education and knew how vital the program would be for economic 
development and to provide meaningful opportunities for young people 
across Montana.
  Over the years Joe got to know and befriend some very important 
folks. He hosted John F. Kennedy at his Helena home during the 1960 
Presidential campaign. He also accompanied Ted Kennedy at the Eastern 
Montana Fair in Miles City in 1960 where Ted took his famous ride on a 
bronc. He met many other Presidents, dignitaries, and celebrities along 
the way. These and many other stories are recounted in Joe's 
autobiography, ``The Paperboy,'' which he published in 2007.
  Joe shared his experiences with his wife of 37 years, Rosalyn, who 
passed away in May. Today I send my heartfelt condolences to Joe's 
children--Joe, Bobbie, Dianna, Bryant, and Susie--and the entire Reber 
family for their loss. They can truly be proud of the life their father 
lived and take comfort in knowing that he helped so many others along 
the way.
  I have always enjoyed visiting with Joe over the years and working 
with him on issues important to Montana. I will miss his friendship as 
will folks all across Big Sky country.

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