Jeff Miller: “a friend of mine died this past week. His name was William Russell Mote. He was not only my friend, he was the Members'…”

“a friend of mine died this past week. His name was William Russell Mote. He was not only my friend, he was the Members', too, and a friend of all Americans, as well. As a matter of fact, he was a friend to people all over the world. I would like to tell the Members why. Bill Mote was born in my State of Florida in the city of Tampa at the turn of the century. The world was a far different place for Bill Mote back in the early part of the last century. Teddy Roosevelt was President. There was a world without jet planes, without television. No man had flown in space. It was a world that encouraged a young boy to go fishing in the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It was also a time that encouraged entrepreneurs, and Bill Mote took full advantage. He could not wait to venture out into the world and start his own business. While he never earned a college degree, Bill Mote was a well-educated individual whose charisma and charm paved him a very successful path in the business world.”