[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 144 (Tuesday, November 13, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1742]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING GIL WATERS

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. VERN BUCHANAN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 13, 2012

  Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Gil Waters of 
Sarasota FL, born in 1927 and raised in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and 
New York. By 1955, Gil graduated from Yale University, moved to 
Sarasota, married Elizabeth Boylston, served in the Navy during the 
Korean War, and started a family. Over the next 58 years, Gil left an 
indelible mark on Sarasota/Manatee County and the State of Florida. All 
while being a loving father to three children, Christopher, Robin, and 
Michael.
  Gil founded the FCCI Fund in 1959. Upon his retirement in 1985, 
Florida Trend ranked FCCI as one of Florida's largest private 
companies. It was Florida's largest self-funded workers-compensation 
companies and one of the largest in the nation. Gil created WIMCO 
(Waters Insurance Management Company) in 1979 and FEISCO a, NASDAQ-
listed, captive ``reinsurance'' company in 1980. In 1982, he founded 
Keep-Well Health Insurance. Gil, is an entrepreneurial visionary who 
revolutionized the workers-compensation insurance industry.
  From 1956 to 1970, Gil served as Executive Secretary for Sarasota/
Manatee County Gulf Coast Builders Exchange; Executive Secretary for 
Consulting Engineers Counsel of Florida; Public Relations Counsel for 
New College; and served as a Sarasota City Commissioner.
  In 1970, Gil ran a successful State Constitutional Amendment 
regarding mobile home taxation. From 1977 to 1984 he became a statewide 
lobbyist for workers compensation in Tallahassee. Gil organized and 
served as first president of Florida Self Insurance Association, 
producing a wide ranging bill that passed the Florida State 
Legislature, providing wage-loss protection for injured workers.
  Between 1987 and 2003, Gil spearheaded grassroots efforts to replace 
the Ringling Bridge. The Florida State Legislature honored him by 
renaming the bridge, ``Gil Waters Bridge'' on the Ringling Causeway. He 
was honored and humbled, and instead, requested a plaque be placed at 
the bridge paying tribute to every citizen who supported the 
construction of the fixed-span bridge.
  In addition, he dedicated 40 years to developing condominium, single 
family, retirement and nursing communities. He also impacted municipal 
planning and growth, served his community and state as a philanthropist 
through public and private schools, Florida State's Asolo Repertory 
Theater, Florida West Coast Symphony Association, New College Music 
Festival, Sarasota Opera, Hermitage Artist Retreat, Sarasota Memorial 
Hospital, and others. He received environmental awards from the Audubon 
Society, Save Our Bays, and Sarasota Garden Club.
  At 85, Gil enjoys traveling with his second wife, Elisabeth; however, 
he is never far from his 55-year vision to complete Sarasota's 1959 
Architectural Plan--connecting Island Park/Marina Jacks to Main Street 
over U.S. 41, with a safe-walkable overpass; and, Main Street becoming 
a walkable city-center, daily attracting 1000's of visitors and 
residents. Gil likes to say, ``Come for an hour, stay for the day!''
  One of Gil's greatest honors occurred on December 27, 1999, when The 
Sarasota Herald Tribune named Gil one of ``The 10 Most Influential 
Businesspeople of the 20th Century.''

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