[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 22, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING MILFORD ``BUDDY'' BOSTICK

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. BILL FLORES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 2017

  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Milford ``Buddy'' 
Bostick of Waco, Texas, who passed away on January 4, 2017.
  Buddy Bostick selflessly served our nation and Central Texas in so 
many ways, and he will be missed greatly.
  Buddy was born on May 18, 1918 in McLennan County, Texas. He 
graduated from Moody High School and later attended Baylor University, 
where he started his journalism career as a radio announcer for WACO 
Radio. Here Buddy planted the seeds of what would become a successful 
career in media broadcasting.
  Upon graduating, Buddy worked as a radio announcer in Tennessee and 
Arkansas before eventually returning to Texas. He served his country 
during World War II as part of the Army Air Corps and upon returning 
home he continued to pursue his goal of owning his own radio station. 
He would ultimately do so much more. In 1955, Buddy obtained a license 
to launch KWTX-TV in Waco and two years later he launched KBTX-TV in 
Bryan. Since their founding, these two CBS affiliates have provided 
news and entertainment to hundreds of *thousands of families throughout 
Central Texas. In fact, KBTX was one of the first stations capable of 
color transmission, and was the first in the Brazos Valley to use color 
news film.
  Buddy would go on to establish other television and radio stations 
across Texas and even into Louisiana. Then, in the 1970s he and a 
business partner purchased a controlling interest in the local Beilmead 
State Bank, changed the name to American Bank, and expanded it to a 
second location.
  Buddy took a risk at the time when he chose to establish a television 
station in a town with a population of just 20,000. The media landscape 
in the 1950's was dominated by radio and newspapers. Yet Buddy had a 
vision and the desire to invest in a new form media to serve the 
public. In this endeavor, he was the epitome of a businessman and 
entrepreneur. Above all, he was a family man. He met his wife, 
Virginia, while attending Baylor University, and they were married for 
74 years before she passed away in 2014. They are survived by their two 
daughters, Ellen and Martha, and ten grandchildren and great-
grandchildren. Buddy was often quoted saying, ``nothing lasts 
forever.'' Though I am confident that one thing will--Buddy Bostick's 
legacy will have an impact for generations to come.
  My wife, Gina, and I offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to 
the entire Bostick family. We also lift up the family and friends of 
Buddy in our prayers.
  As I close, I ask that all Americans continue to pray for our 
country, for our military men and women, who protect us abroad, and for 
our first responders, who protect us here at home.

                          ____________________