[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 92 (Tuesday, June 25, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S5145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          ADDTIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   REMEMEBERING W.A. ``BILL'' KRAUSE

 Mr. President, today I wish to remember an Iowa farm boy whose 
legendary work ethic simply worked wonders. As we bid farewell this 
week to one of Iowa's most successful entrepreneurs and cofounders of 
one of Iowa's most iconic businesses, Bill Krause's can-do spirit will 
inspire generations of Iowans. That is because the footprint this 
gentle giant leaves behind is one of a man who pioneered a wildly 
successful chain of convenience stores. Kum & Go is one of the Nation's 
largest family-owned chains in America with more than 420 stores doing 
business in 11 States.
  A self-starter from an early age, Bill's tireless work ethic and 
visionary leadership skills reflect the very best of America's 
entrepreneurial spirit. Throughout his career, Bill was rewarded with 
the prizes and pitfalls of risk taking at its very best and at its very 
worst. Named Iowa Entrepreneur of the Year in 1992, Bill's varied 
business pursuits stretched beyond his signature success and prosperity 
in the convenience store industry, including fashion retailing, 
trucking, gaming, farming, banking, as well as interests in Iowa-based 
soccer and baseball teams. An honest-to-goodness rags to riches story, 
Bill always kept his eyes focused on the opportunity that lie ahead at 
the next bend, without losing sight of what mattered most in life: his 
family, faith, and friendships, including those of thousands of 
employees and the countless customers he loved to meet and greet in his 
stores.
  After graduating from Eldora High School, Bill worked his way through 
college and graduated from his beloved alma mater, The University of 
Iowa, in 1957 with a degree in journalism. A lifelong Iowa Hawkeye fan, 
Bill is one of those uncommonly humble men of considerable means who 
never forgot from where he came.
  That sense of loyalty later translated into valuable financial 
contributions, including a signature gift that launched a historic 
renovation to Kinnick Stadium. He earned a number of distinguished 
awards and accolades from The University of Iowa and for more than five 
decades supported the Hawkeye's celebrated athletics programs as a 
tireless fan and patron. He also served as adviser to deans of the 
Tippie College of Business, sharing his Main Street expertise with 
those tasked with teaching the next generation of business leaders. 
Putting his money where his mouth is, Bill founded a fund to jump-start 
the next generation of business leaders. Since 1998, the Krause Fund 
has provided more than 1,200 Iowa undergraduate students with the 
opportunity to learn about managing an endowed equity portfolio.
  Bill Krause knew how to run a business, how to create jobs and how to 
keep customers satisfied. The narrative of his success was shaped by 
his humble beginnings, earning $10 a day at age 15. Years later with 
his father-in-law, Tony Gentle, he pioneered the convenience store 
concept of buying milk, bread and eggs at the local gas station when 
customers pulled up to fill their tanks. By all accounts, Bill's 
American success story bloomed as a result of his integrity, decency, 
passion and generosity.
  His homegrown roots stretched deep, defining his contributions of 
time, talent and treasure to his church and community. He was awarded 
the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award by the National Catholic Education 
Association in 2007 and the Civitas Award from Dowling Catholic Schools 
in 2012. Through scholarship, service and sacrifice, Bill and Nancy 
Krause taught their 3 children and 12 grandchildren the real measure of 
success.
  In fact, a few years ago a room at the Kum & Go headquarters in West 
Des Moines was known as the ``one-liner'' room because of the messages 
lining the walls. When asked, Bill said the legacy he hoped to leave 
behind mirrors one of the lines on the wall: ``It's nice to be 
important, but it's more important to be nice.'' Perhaps that is one of 
the reasons why he gave blazers to high school kids for their first job 
interviews. Or why he was a leading fund-raiser for minority and low-
income students at Holy Family School in Des Moines.
  Mr. President, may I suggest to the U.S. Senate that Bill Krause has 
more than secured this legacy throughout his professional and personal 
life. Barbara and I share our deepest condolences to Bill's family, 
especially to his wife Nancy, and to all those who are mourning the 
loss of this larger-than-life Iowan.

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