[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 43 (Thursday, March 6, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E189-E190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING WILLIAM P. MILLS, III

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CLAY HIGGINS

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 2025

  Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate William 
P. Mills, III on being named a 2025 recipient of the Horatio Alger 
Award. Mr. Mills, the president and owner of MPW Enterprises LLC, is 
one of only 11 corporate, civic, and cultural leaders across the 
country who have been recognized with the accolade for 2025.
  The Horatio Alger Award is presented annually to individuals of 
outstanding character. The award acknowledges a commitment to higher 
education, charitable efforts, and the overcoming of adversity. 
Recipients exemplify the Association's values and mission to support 
young men and women as they pursue the American Dream through higher 
education.
  Mr. Mills' life is a testament to hard work and perseverance. He was 
industrious from a young age, working a paper route, shining shoes, 
mowing lawns, and bagging groceries. He graduated with degrees in 
Wildlife Biology and a Master's in Fisheries Biology from the 
University of Louisiana at Lafayette--paying his way through school by 
working on Mississippi River dredges each summer.
  Mr. Mills went on to work in the energy industry before starting his 
own businesses conducting environmental research and oil and gas 
exploration. He expanded his business ventures to include real estate 
management and property development. Success was not pre-determined for 
Mr. Mills. It was earned through hard work.
  Beyond his achievements in industry and businesses, Mr. Mills has 
chosen to give back to his community as a philanthropist. He oversees 
the Mills Family Foundation, serves on the board of the Stuller Family 
Foundation, and funds a scholarship at the University of Louisiana at 
Lafayette. Each of these commitments provides significant public 
benefit to the South Louisiana community that I'm honored to represent.
  Mr. Speaker, Will Mills has also been a trusted friend and counselor 
for me personally throughout my nine years of service in Congress. His 
depth of understanding regarding

[[Page E190]]

Constitutional issues and his instinctive grasp of the complex details 
of legislation has been a steady guide as I've endeavored to be worthy 
of my own responsibility to serve We, the People.
  Mr. Mills is highly deserving of the 2025 Horatio Alger Award. I'm 
fortunate to know him and to call him a friend. I thank him for his 
commitment to our community, and I congratulate him on this prestigious 
accomplishment.

                          ____________________