[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 26, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3613-S3614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   75TH ANNIVERSARY OF TRUE COMPANIES

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 75th 
anniversary of True Companies. This network of Wyoming businesses spans 
several major industries that directly benefit Natrona County, Wyoming, 
and our Nation.
  Headquartered in Casper, WY, True Companies is a Wyoming institution. 
Proudly owned and operated by the True family, the businesses that make 
up True Companies are diverse. They contribute to multiple industries 
including energy, agriculture, real estate/development, and the 
financial sector. True Companies employs over 1,000 individuals across 
the United States in Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, Utah, 
New Mexico, Arizona, Missouri, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma.
  In Wyoming, we follow the Code of the West, a set of cowboy ethics 
that drive and shape our values. These principles remind us to take 
pride in our work and to do what has to be done. Today, the Code of the 
West hangs in the lobby of True Companies, serving as a reminder of the 
values of its

[[Page S3614]]

founder H.A. ``Dave'' True, Jr. Henry Alphonso True, Jr., or Dave as he 
was known to friends and family, was born in 1915 in Cheyenne. He 
married his high school sweetheart Jean in 1938. After earning his 
engineering degree from Montana State University, he followed in the 
footsteps of his father. Dave worked for Texaco, formerly known as the 
Texas Company, in Cody, where he lived with Jean and their four 
children: Tamma, H.A. ``Hank'' III, Diemer, and David L. In 1948, the 
family relocated to Casper. Here, Dave became part owner and manager of 
the Reserve Drilling Company, a one-rig drilling outfit that would 
change the course of his career. Just 3 years later, he was the 
president of Reserve Drilling and then opened his own drilling 
enterprise, True and Brown Drilling Contractors.
  Dave had an uncanny ability to anticipate the needs of a then-booming 
oil industry. In 1954, he founded True Oil and True Drilling. He 
discovered several oil reservoirs in the ensuing years. In the next two 
decades, he founded eight additional businesses, each uniquely situated 
to meet the needs of--and capitalize on--the booming oil sector and 
Casper's growing population. It was also during this period that Dave 
began to diversify his interests. In 1957, he entered the ranching 
sector. True Ranches, a 36-head cattle operation included Nugget, his 
lone bull. Other endeavors were the Belle Fourche Pipeline Company, 
Black Hills Trucking, and Eighty-Eight Oil LLC. In all his business 
dealings, Dave was a consummate professional. He valued integrity and 
respect over making a quick buck. He was known to say, ``A good deal is 
not a good deal unless it's good for both parties.''
  Quiet and hard working, Dave took seriously his role of sharing his 
time and talent with his community. In 1961, he established a 
scholarship program for the children of True Companies employees. For 
over six decades, the program has rewarded deserving, high-achieving 
students with money to pursue their education. Dave also taught his 
children the importance of public service and giving back. Today, the 
True family is well-known for its generous philanthropic efforts. In 
May of this year, the University of Wyoming, our State's only 4-year 
university, established the H.A. ``Dave'' True Jr. Family College of 
Business Deanship. This distinct honor recognizes the True family's 
legacy of dedicated service and entrepreneurial spirit.
  The history of True Companies began with the humble vision and 
determination of Dave and Jean. After Dave died in 1994, Jean continued 
as the family's matriarch until she passed in 2006. She was 90 years 
old. Today, the company's heritage lives on through their children, 
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren.
  Hank III and Karen True have three children: Thea True-Wells and 
Scott Wells with children Eric, Christopher, Jean Marie, and Katelin 
Wells; H.A. ``Tad'' IV and Jennifer True with children H.A. ``Henry'' 
V, Sam and Charlie; and Barbara True.
  Diemer and Susie True have four children: Kip and Chris True with 
children Hailey True, Hannah and Steven Gutenberger, Hollie and Seth 
Snitker, Hayden and Lydia True, Harrison and Meghan True, Haines, 
Helaina, Hadleigh and Hyldie True; Kyle and Caridee True with children 
Connor and Suzanna True, Kennedee and Shawn Dalke, Cross and Megan 
True, Johnathon and Jacqueline True, Jordan, Sophia, and Patton True; 
Tara and Kirk Aamot with children Abbie and James Cooksey, Mark, David, 
and Grace Aamot; and Tracy True-Propp with children Mikayla and Preston 
Propp.
  Dave and Melanie True have four children: Shane and JoAnn True with 
children Ellie True, Elijah and Katherine True, Rand, Delaney, Finn, 
and Reagan True; Christy and Quintin LeClercq with children Brayden, 
Kellan, Lincoln, and Zanden LeClercq; Bryce and Kelsey True with 
children Taggart, Roark, and Akston True; and Ashley and Gene VanDeest.
  Dave and Jean's eldest daughter Tamma True-Hatten died in 2017. Her 
husband Donald Hatten predeceased her in 2002. Their memories live on 
through their two children Jaci and Dale Kerns with children Kodi 
Kerns, Jake (JD) and Dawn Kerns, Josh and Randi Kerns, and Joel Kerns; 
and Dave Hatten with children Kaci Hatten and Kara and Christian Sabo.
  True Companies includes the following businesses: True Oil, True 
Drilling, True Ranches, Toolpushers Supply Company, Black Hills 
Trucking, Measurement Services LLC, Bridger Pipeline LLC, Eighty-Eight 
Oil LLC, Equitable Oil Purchasing Company, Hilltop Bank, Flowstate, and 
Brick and Bond, in addition to numerous other ranches and properties.
  This year, members and employees of the True Companies family will 
celebrate its 75th anniversary by giving back to the community. On 
August 19, 2023, True Companies will join Bluepeak in sponsoring the 
annual 5150' Festival, a free community event hosted by Visit Casper. 
It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all that Casper has to offer 
with food, vendors, and live music.
  True Companies was built on a foundation of humble service and hard 
work. Its founder, H.A. ``Dave'' True, Jr., established a culture that 
encouraged employees to ``talk less and say more.'' Bobbi and I are 
honored to celebrate its 75th anniversary, and we look forward to the 
next 75 years of success.

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