Don Nickles: “I rise today to honor a true friend of Oklahoma and the energy industry and a true friend of mine. Keith Bailey…”

“I rise today to honor a true friend of Oklahoma and the energy industry and a true friend of mine. Keith Bailey, chairman of the Williams Companies, retired last month after leading that company for the last 29 years. Keith is a man of energy, of generosity and compassion, whose values have shaped Williams and set a tone of integrity, creativity and vision for the industry throughout his career. From his office in Tulsa, OK, Keith has run a global energy company with a full spectrum of energy products, services and operations. He has also championed innovation in the telecommunications industry, overseeing the building of a nationwide communications network, which sprang from the use of the company's former oil pipeline assets. Keith is a respected leader in the energy industry and in the Tulsa community. His view of corporate and personal success has always included support for people, education and charitable causes. He has energetically gone about the business of supporting his community and his neighbors in a quiet way, but in a measurable one. His contributions of time, money and expertise have benefited hundreds in Tulsa, in Oklahoma and thousands nationally. Keith has also provided leadership serving the United Way, both as campaign and board chair of the Tulsa area, and on the United Way of America's Board of Governors.”