[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 106 (Monday, July 16, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5045-S5046]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                          TRIBUTE TO BILL HYBL

 Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, today I wish to 
acknowledge a great Coloradan--Mr. William J. Hybl--on the occasion of 
his 70th birthday. The epitome of a public servant, Bill has spent the 
better part of his career tirelessly working to improve the lives of 
Coloradans. It is only appropriate, therefore, that I take this 
opportunity to honor his tremendous contributions to our home State and 
express my profound appreciation.
  Raised in Pueblo and educated at the Colorado College and the 
University of Colorado School of Law in Boulder, Bill is a true product 
of Colorado--and he began giving back almost immediately upon 
graduation. After serving as a captain in the U.S. Army, Bill was 
elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 1972 and continued 
to stay involved in the public sector, serving as Special Counsel to 
President Ronald Reagan in 1981.
  In 2010, Bill served as the cochairman of Colorado Governor-elect 
John Hickenlooper's transition team, but his history of working across 
the political divide reaches further into the past. Appointed to the 
U.S. Commission on Public Diplomacy by President George H.W. Bush in 
1990, Bill was reappointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993. After 4 
years as the committee's vice chairman, President George W. Bush 
appointed Bill as chairman in 2008 following confirmation by the 
Senate, and he was reappointed by President Barack Obama in 2011. I 
think all of us would agree there are not many public servants who are 
appointed over this many years--by Presidents of both political 
parties. But that is a testament to Bill and his leadership.
  Bill serves as the civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army, having 
served in this role for 25 years. Additionally, President George W. 
Bush appointed him as U.S. Representative to the 56th General Assembly 
of the United Nations, and was chairman of the board of International 
Foundation for Electoral Systems from 2003 to 2009, currently serving 
as vice chairman of the board and executive committee chairman.
  Despite all of this success, Bill's impact is better measured by 
looking at the countless lives he has touched and improved. His 
contributions to our country's Olympic athletes provide a great 
example. He served twice as president of the U.S. Olympic Committee, 
leading team delegations at the 1992 Olympic Winter Games in 
Albertville, France, and the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. In 
1998, he again led the U.S. Team at the Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, 
Japan, and, in 2000, at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Bill 
was a member of the International Olympic Committee from 2000 to 2002. 
He serves as president emeritus of the USOC and is chairman of the U.S. 
Olympic Foundation. Especially noteworthy, Bill was inducted into the 
Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
  Bill Hybl's reach stretches far beyond sports, though--his 
philanthropic accomplishments have forever changed the State of 
Colorado. As chairman and CEO of El Pomar Foundation, he has overseen 
one of the largest and oldest private foundations in the Intermountain 
West. Since his arrival in

[[Page S5046]]

1973, El Pomar has granted millions of dollars to worthwhile projects 
and continues to grant approximately $20 million annually. Bill has 
expanded the general-purpose foundation, creating many programs that 
focus on excellence in individual and organizational leadership. 
Because of his service, communities across Colorado are more empowered 
to improve their quality of life. The fact that the Association of 
Fundraising Professionals recognized El Pomar in 1998 as the National 
Foundation of the Year is a testament to Bill's strategic vision and 
leadership.
  Bill is also vice chairman of the board of BROADMOOR Hotel, Inc--a 
true Colorado landmark--and is president of the Air Force Academy 
Foundation and the Hundred Club of Colorado Springs. In 2009, Bill 
received the Outward Bound Compass Award for a lifetime of outstanding 
service to America's young people. And in 2005, Bill was reelected to 
the Colorado College Board of Trustees and in 2003 named Citizen of the 
West. Additionally, he serves on the boards of directors for Garden 
City Company, in Garden City, KS; FirstBank Holding Company of Colorado 
in Denver, CO; and Mountain States Employers Council in Denver.
  Perhaps most importantly, Bill and his wife Kathleen have two sons 
and six beautiful grandchildren.
  Colorado is fortunate to be home to a citizen like Bill Hybl. I would 
like to congratulate him for all of his accomplishments, thank him for 
his endless service, and honor him on his 70th birthday. I look forward 
to many more years of Bill's leadership in the Centennial 
State.

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