[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 193 (Thursday, December 6, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        PRESIDENT WILLIAM TEAGUE OF ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

                                  _____
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 6, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, a wonderful Christian Servant of 
Abilene Christian University has died. Bill Teague was President and an 
alum of my Alma mater ACU. He served as president when I was a Member 
of the board of trustees of the University. His clever dry Texas wit 
was a trademark of his leadership. His official obituary states:

       ``He was born Billy Teague in Olney, Texas, on July 12, 
     1927, the youngest of six sons. His father died when he was 
     14 years old, leaving his mother to raise him by herself in 
     Nocona, Texas. While enrolled at high school, Teague was a 
     proud member of Nocona's 1944 state champion basketball team. 
     Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving 
     four years while based in San Diego. It was in San Diego that 
     he met Margaret ``Peggy'' Louise Newlen. They married June 4, 
     1948.''
       ``After his honorable discharge from the military in 1949, 
     the couple moved back to Texas so Bill could continue his 
     education at Abilene Christian. While a student, he was 
     appointed the first manager of KACC, the campus radio 
     station. He graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts degree 
     in Bible and speech.''
       ``He immediately went to work for then-president Dr. Don H. 
     Morris as assistant to the president and secretary of the 
     Alumni Association. He worked at ACU for five years before 
     leaving to serve as vice president at both Harding University 
     (1957-59) and Pepperdine University (1959-70).''
       ``Outside of his career in education, Teague pursued a 
     variety of interests. He earned a master's degree from 
     Columbia University in 1959 and a doctorate from UCLA in 
     1965. In 1968 and 1970, he ran for U.S. Congressional seats 
     in California. Teague frequently engaged in public speaking. 
     He could be passionate and inspiring, but it was his humor 
     that really endeared him to audiences. He was an active 
     basketball and tennis player, but he most enjoyed spending 
     time with his family.''
       ``During the 1970s, Teague served as vice president of two 
     Fortune 500 companies, Purex Corporation in California and 
     Kerr-McGee, an Oklahoma-based oil company.''
       ``From 1981 to 1991, Teague served as ACU's ninth 
     president, and later as chancellor (1991-2007) and chancellor 
     emeritus (2007-18). With an emphasis on fundraising, he 
     oversaw the transformation of the campus leading to the 
     construction of the Mabee Business Building and Onstead-
     Packer Biblical Studies Building, as well as the relocation 
     of Judge Ely Boulevard. ACU's Teague Boulevard opened in May 
     1992, serving as a new front entrance to the university. 
     Across campus, the Margaret L. and William J. Teague Center 
     was dedicated in his and Peggy's honor.''
       ``In addition to the major buildings completed during 
     Teague's decade as president, the university endowment 
     increased from $18 million to $56 million. The Honors Program 
     and ACU Press were begun; and KACU became KACU-FM, a National 
     Public Radio affiliate. The William J. and Margaret L. Teague 
     Excellence Award, an endowed scholarship program for students 
     at ACU, began in 1989. In 1991, Bill and wife, Peggy, were 
     named Christian Educators of the Year by 20th Century 
     Christian magazine for careers of service to three Church of 
     Christ-affiliated universities.''
       ``After becoming chancellor in 1991, Teague remained active 
     on the campus until he suffered a stroke in 2002. Despite 
     being confined to a wheelchair, he remained a regular 
     attendee of ACU athletics and other events, as well as 
     worship services at University Church of Christ, where he and 
     Peggy were members. He especially looked forward to attending 
     the university's annual Opening Assembly on the first day of 
     school and its patriotic Parade of Flags ceremony he began in 
     1986.''
       ``Teague was preceded in death by his parents, Dudley 
     Thomas Teague and Sudie Crane Teague; and his wife, Peggy. 
     Survivors include his son, Tom Teague; two daughters, Susan 
     Reid and Dr. Helen Teague; and grandchildren Bill Teague and 
     Amelia Louise Wildman.''

  Abilene Christian University was blessed by the Good Lord to have 
such a man lead this University on the windy plains of West Texas.
  And that's just the way it is.

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