75th Anniversary of True Companies

Floor Speech

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Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 75th anniversary of True Companies. This network of Wyoming businesses spans several major industries that directly benefit Natrona County, Wyoming, and our Nation.

Headquartered in Casper, WY, True Companies is a Wyoming institution. Proudly owned and operated by the True family, the businesses that make up True Companies are diverse. They contribute to multiple industries including energy, agriculture, real estate/development, and the financial sector. True Companies employs over 1,000 individuals across the United States in Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Missouri, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma.

In Wyoming, we follow the Code of the West, a set of cowboy ethics that drive and shape our values. These principles remind us to take pride in our work and to do what has to be done. Today, the Code of the West hangs in the lobby of True Companies, serving as a reminder of the values of its founder H.A. ``Dave'' True, Jr. Henry Alphonso True, Jr., or Dave as he was known to friends and family, was born in 1915 in Cheyenne. He married his high school sweetheart Jean in 1938. After earning his engineering degree from Montana State University, he followed in the footsteps of his father. Dave worked for Texaco, formerly known as the Texas Company, in Cody, where he lived with Jean and their four children: Tamma, H.A. ``Hank'' III, Diemer, and David L. In 1948, the family relocated to Casper. Here, Dave became part owner and manager of the Reserve Drilling Company, a one-rig drilling outfit that would change the course of his career. Just 3 years later, he was the president of Reserve Drilling and then opened his own drilling enterprise, True and Brown Drilling Contractors.

Dave had an uncanny ability to anticipate the needs of a then-booming oil industry. In 1954, he founded True Oil and True Drilling. He discovered several oil reservoirs in the ensuing years. In the next two decades, he founded eight additional businesses, each uniquely situated to meet the needs of--and capitalize on--the booming oil sector and Casper's growing population. It was also during this period that Dave began to diversify his interests. In 1957, he entered the ranching sector. True Ranches, a 36-head cattle operation included Nugget, his lone bull. Other endeavors were the Belle Fourche Pipeline Company, Black Hills Trucking, and Eighty-Eight Oil LLC. In all his business dealings, Dave was a consummate professional. He valued integrity and respect over making a quick buck. He was known to say, ``A good deal is not a good deal unless it's good for both parties.''

Quiet and hard working, Dave took seriously his role of sharing his time and talent with his community. In 1961, he established a scholarship program for the children of True Companies employees. For over six decades, the program has rewarded deserving, high-achieving students with money to pursue their education. Dave also taught his children the importance of public service and giving back. Today, the True family is well-known for its generous philanthropic efforts. In May of this year, the University of Wyoming, our State's only 4-year university, established the H.A. ``Dave'' True Jr. Family College of Business Deanship. This distinct honor recognizes the True family's legacy of dedicated service and entrepreneurial spirit.

The history of True Companies began with the humble vision and determination of Dave and Jean. After Dave died in 1994, Jean continued as the family's matriarch until she passed in 2006. She was 90 years old. Today, the company's heritage lives on through their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren.

Hank III and Karen True have three children: Thea True-Wells and Scott Wells with children Eric, Christopher, Jean Marie, and Katelin Wells; H.A. ``Tad'' IV and Jennifer True with children H.A. ``Henry'' V, Sam and Charlie; and Barbara True.

Diemer and Susie True have four children: Kip and Chris True with children Hailey True, Hannah and Steven Gutenberger, Hollie and Seth Snitker, Hayden and Lydia True, Harrison and Meghan True, Haines, Helaina, Hadleigh and Hyldie True; Kyle and Caridee True with children Connor and Suzanna True, Kennedee and Shawn Dalke, Cross and Megan True, Johnathon and Jacqueline True, Jordan, Sophia, and Patton True; Tara and Kirk Aamot with children Abbie and James Cooksey, Mark, David, and Grace Aamot; and Tracy True-Propp with children Mikayla and Preston Propp.

Dave and Melanie True have four children: Shane and JoAnn True with children Ellie True, Elijah and Katherine True, Rand, Delaney, Finn, and Reagan True; Christy and Quintin LeClercq with children Brayden, Kellan, Lincoln, and Zanden LeClercq; Bryce and Kelsey True with children Taggart, Roark, and Akston True; and Ashley and Gene VanDeest.

Dave and Jean's eldest daughter Tamma True-Hatten died in 2017. Her husband Donald Hatten predeceased her in 2002. Their memories live on through their two children Jaci and Dale Kerns with children Kodi Kerns, Jake (JD) and Dawn Kerns, Josh and Randi Kerns, and Joel Kerns; and Dave Hatten with children Kaci Hatten and Kara and Christian Sabo.

True Companies includes the following businesses: True Oil, True Drilling, True Ranches, Toolpushers Supply Company, Black Hills Trucking, Measurement Services LLC, Bridger Pipeline LLC, Eighty-Eight Oil LLC, Equitable Oil Purchasing Company, Hilltop Bank, Flowstate, and Brick and Bond, in addition to numerous other ranches and properties.

This year, members and employees of the True Companies family will celebrate its 75th anniversary by giving back to the community. On August 19, 2023, True Companies will join Bluepeak in sponsoring the annual 5150' Festival, a free community event hosted by Visit Casper. It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all that Casper has to offer with food, vendors, and live music.

True Companies was built on a foundation of humble service and hard work. Its founder, H.A. ``Dave'' True, Jr., established a culture that encouraged employees to ``talk less and say more.'' Bobbi and I are honored to celebrate its 75th anniversary, and we look forward to the next 75 years of success.

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