[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 126 (Monday, July 19, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4946-S4947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO BILL BRASCH

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, for the past 3 years Bill Brasch has 
led our shared fraternity, Phi Kappa Tau, as national president, 
helping the organization navigate the tumultuous COVID-19 pandemic. 
Through his work, he helped maintain a vast network of philanthropy and 
brotherhood that has raised more than $1.6 million for charity in the 
past 25 years and developed more than 100,000 men of character into men 
of distinction since 1906. Bill has contributed immensely to the 
continuity and growth of Phi Kappa Tau and helped it develop into a 
formidable nationwide organization.
  Bill attended my alma mater, the University of Louisville, and built 
a prestigious reputation in student government and Greek life. He 
remained at the school after graduation, spending 32 years coordinating 
the construction and renovation of campus buildings, including the Phi 
Kappa Tau fraternity house in 2007. He continued his involvement in Phi 
Kappa Tau at both the local and national level, eventually rising to 
his current role in 2018.
  Bill saw our fraternity through one of its most challenging periods 
when, in the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced colleges and 
universities across the country to shutter. Thousands of brothers were 
sent home from campus, threatening the very core of fraternity life. 
Bill's tenure as national president, originally intended to be a 2-year 
term, was extended into 2021 as the crisis forced Phi Kappa Tau to 
cancel its national convention. However, through Bill's hard work, the 
fraternity didn't just survive the pandemic but thrived. Phi Kappa Tau 
is now well-prepared to return to campuses across the country and bring 
young men back together in brotherhood, just as it has for more than a 
century.
  Bill Brasch has devoted his life to Phi Kappa Tau's mission ``to 
champion a lifelong commitment to brotherhood, learning, ethical 
leadership and exemplary character.'' In recognition of his

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dedicated work, he has been named the University of Louisville Alumni 
Fellow for 2021 and will be honored during the halftime celebration at 
this year's homecoming football game. His mentorship and leadership 
have been invaluable to our fraternity's success, both in Kentucky and 
across America. On behalf of the Senate, I would like to thank Bill for 
his leadership in times of crisis and congratulate him on a successful 
presidency.

                          ____________________