[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 11659-11660]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM ``BILL'' LAWRENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 16, 2006

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in profound sadness to express my 
deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of William 
``Bill'' Lawrence. Bill was a dear friend of mine who touched the lives 
of all who came in contact with him and I am privileged to have known 
such a wonderful person.
  Bill was truly a great man who dedicated his life to our country. He 
began this service at the young age of 16 when he enlisted in the Navy. 
Following his four years of naval service in China in 1927, Bill was 
honorably discharged, and he chose to make his home in San Francisco. 
Once again, Bill sought a job that would benefit the public. He first 
worked as a cable car conductor on the Market Street Railway, one of 
the few union jobs in San Francisco at that time.
  In 1938, Bill began working for the U.S. Postal Service in San 
Francisco, and he became an active and dedication member of the Golden 
Gate Branch 214 of the National Association of Letter Carriers. He 
delivered mail in the City of San Francisco for 35 years and worked as 
Secretary of Golden Gate Branch 214 of the NALC for 6 years. Bill 
remained a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers until 
the day he died.
  Bill's dedication to his local community was even more evident when 
he began his political career. In 1970, Bill was elected to the 
Brisbane City Council and over the next two decades he continued in 
that position, serving twice as Mayor. In an effort to better his 
community, he oversaw the construction of Crocker Industrial Park. 
After his tenure on the City Council, Bill continued to act as the 
Legislative Liaison for the California State Association of Letter 
Carriers.
  Bill's love of public service and his desire to improve the quality 
of life of Brisbane residents led him to join the Brisbane Lions Cub. 
His unfaltering dedication was obvious, as he insisted in participating 
in every Lions Club initiative. Each year, Bill Lawrence painted 1,800 
Easter eggs and volunteered at the Christmas tree lot. He continued to 
attend meetings, even after his hearing and eyesight began to fade.
  Although Bill Lawrence officially retired at the age of 65, he could 
not imagine not serving his country and local community. He refused to 
allow age and deteriorating health to stand in the way of public 
service. For the past 30 years, Bill has served as Brisbane's ``Santa 
Claus,'' bringing smiles to many families during the holiday season. 
Only last year, at age 97, Bill finally was forced to retire from this 
post, which brought so much joy to him and children throughout the 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be able to call Bill Lawrence my friend. 
He always said that

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his love of politics stemmed from the rewarding feeling he got from 
helping people. Indeed, Bill helped thousands of people throughout his 
lifetime. His naval service, postal work, and political activism 
allowed him to touch lives throughout the world for the past 98 years. 
It is rare to come across a man who not only dedicated his life to his 
country but also to his family, his dear wife, Honey Bee, and his 
children and grandchildren. Bill Lawrence will be sorely missed by the 
residents of Brisbane as well as by all who knew him, but Bill's legacy 
of love for his country and for public service will forever remain 
alive in our hearts.