[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22746]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM M. RICKMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 2005

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today 
to remember and honor the life of William M. Rickman. The embodiment of 
the American Dream, Bill's life was a rags-to-riches story straight out 
of the pages of a Horatio Alger novel. He was an avid horseman who 
loved thoroughbred racing and worked to keep the sport alive in my home 
state of Delaware.
  Bill Rickman was born July 9, 1921 in St. Charles, Virginia. During 
World War II, he served in the U.S Army and was stationed in Italy. In 
August of 1983, Bill partnered with William G. Christmas to purchase 
Delaware Park racetrack, which had been closed at the time due to 
growing competition from other racetracks in the area. The following 
spring saw the reopening of Delaware Park, which has been an integral 
part of the Delaware economy ever since.
  In addition to being remembered as a savvy businessman, Bill will 
always be known as someone who loved horses, racing, and all of the 
people who worked at his track. He took great pride in both owning and 
breeding his horses. He owned over 100 horses, as well as two horse-
training facilities in Maryland.
  Bill considered the people who worked at Delaware Park as his family, 
and will be remembered for his kindness and generosity. He had a 
wonderful sense of humor, joking around with his entire staff. His 
good-natured manner will be sorely missed.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, our thoughts and prayers are with Bill's 
friends and family as they remember the loss of such a great man. His 
contributions to Delaware will live on, as will his memory.

                          ____________________