[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16802]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MAYOR WILLIAM HICKS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 26, 2009

  Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the remarkable 
achievements of William ``Bill'' Hicks, the beloved mayor of Romney, 
West Virginia.
  Bill is a veteran of the Second World War's Pacific Theater where he 
was involved in navigation and sighting for secret bombing missions. 
Just fifteen days after returning home from the war, he married Thelma 
Elizabeth Berg on December 27, 1945.
  Together, they made Romney their home on July 1, 1964 and have lived 
there ever since. Bill worked for Western Union Telegraph Company where 
he played a key role in setting up the first transcontinental microwave 
relay communications in the U.S. His work involved implementing 
communications infrastructure for private and government entities 
located throughout West Virginia and the surrounding areas. Through his 
work, Bill also developed a passion for public service.
  He was first elected to the Romney City Council in 1968 and later was 
elected as Mayor of Romney in 1991. After more than 40 years of 
service, Mayor Hicks recently stepped down, but still remains committed 
to serving his community. He has been involved in numerous community 
organizations. He also serves on the Hampshire County Development 
Authority, the Potomac Valley Transit Authority, the Romney VFW, and 
the American Boy Scout Committee, just to name a few.
  Bill and his wife Thelma remain committed to their community and 
their family. They raised five children, boast eight grandchildren and 
now have five great-grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Romney's beloved Mayor and long-
time distinguished public servant, William ``Bill'' Hicks for his years 
of service and contributions to Hampshire County and the State of West 
Virginia. Mayor Hicks is a friend and a fellow West Virginian. I wish 
him all the best in the years to come.

                          ____________________