[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 7326]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         TRIBUTE TO BILL GIPSON

 Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, Bill Gipson, president and chief 
executive officer of Empire District Electric Company, is retiring on 
May 31, 2011. Bill is an example of the American dream: humble 
beginnings, hardworking, successful and modest.
  Bill, a native of Jasper County, MO, worked his way through Missouri 
Southern State University earning a degree in management technology. He 
went to work at Empire in 1981. He was director of the utility's 
commercial operations and economic development departments before 
becoming executive vice-president in 2001 and then chief operating 
officer. Bill has been a member of Empire's board of directors and has 
served as president and chief executive officer since 2002. During 
Bill's tenure as president, Empire District Electric Company's assets 
have doubled.
  Involvement in the community has been one of Bill's trademarks. Bill 
is a past chairman of the Joplin Chamber of Commerce, the Missouri 
Chamber of Commerce and the Missouri Energy Development Association. 
Additionally, Bill is on the Missouri Southern State University School 
of Business Advisory Council, the Missouri Southern State University 
Foundation and a member of Rotary International.
  At their annual banquet on May 5, 2011, the Joplin Chamber of 
Commerce named Bill the Outstanding Citizen of the Year.
  Bill and his wife of 33 years, Tracy, are looking forward to their 
retirement home on Table Rock Lake, but I know Bill Gipson's 
contributions to Missouri will continue for years to come.

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