[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 5 (Thursday, January 9, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E32]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   MEMORIAL TRIBUTE FOR BOB BOLEN, FORMER MAYOR OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAY GRANGER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 9, 2014

  Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bob Bolen, the 
beloved former mayor of Fort Worth, Texas. Mayor Bolen passed away in 
the early morning hours of January 6th, 2014 at the age of 87 at his 
home in Fort Worth.
   Robert Eugene Bolen was born on April 10, 1926 to Milford and Bee 
Bolen in Chicago, Illinois. While he and his family moved more than a 
dozen times during his youth, Texas is where he would ultimately call 
home.
   Bob Bolen gravitated to public service at a young age. He chose 
Texas A&M University in College Station for his undergraduate degree in 
the 1940s. However, he soon left College Station to serve in the U.S. 
Navy as a gunnery officer on the USS Iowa during the waning days of 
combat in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. Following his military 
service, he returned to College Station where he graduated with a 
degree in Business Administration in 1948.
   Upon graduation from Texas A&M University, he began his career as a 
management trainee with McCrory's, a chain of five and dime stores. 
While his career led him to locations like Syracuse, New York, he would 
later be transferred to McCrory's Fort Worth store and he never moved 
again.
   Bob Bolen was first elected to public office in 1979 as the District 
6 representative on the Fort Worth City Council. After just one term on 
the city council, he ran in the special election for mayor. He won and 
served until 1991, cementing his legacy as the longest serving mayor in 
Fort Worth history.
   He was a dedicated public servant throughout his time as the mayor 
of the ``Panther City". Bob Bolen's efforts were carefully watched by 
other cities. What the city is today is a direct result of much of the 
work he accomplished while leading the city as mayor.
   During his tenure, Bob Bolen's Fort Worth experienced a rebirth and 
revitalization of the downtown area. Companies like Burlington Northern 
expanded and public-private partnerships helped to cultivate the 
growing community. Alliance airport was developed within the city 
limits and Fort Worth became home to the only printing location outside 
of Washington, DC for the Federal Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The 
Bureau continues to print money there today.
   He was a renowned leader and in the process he helped so many 
people. He had a particular affection for helping young people as well. 
He would go out of his way to encourage them and steer them either 
toward public service or toward appreciating it.
   Bob Bolen left an indelible mark on the city of Fort Worth and the 
transformation that he oversaw helped create the distinguished city 
that it is today.
   Bob Bolen loved Fort Worth and Fort Worth loves Bob Bolen. He gave 
the city far more than it was ever able to give him and that's a legacy 
worth remembering.

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