For Immediate Release:
April 14, 2004
Senator Charles Ford, Artist Mike
Wimmer and Admiral William J. Crowe
Portrait of Admiral William J. Crowe, Jr. Dedicated at Capitol
Senator Charles Ford announced the unveiling
of a portrait of Admiral William J. Crowe, the latest in
a series of paintings commissioned by the Oklahoma State
Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc. The portrait by
nationally- renowned artist Mike Wimmer of Norman, was unveiled
during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber this afternoon.
“This is an exceptional piece depicting one of Oklahoma’s
finest men. Admiral Crowe is an amazing person who has devoted
his life to serving his country. This portrait is a tribute
to his service,” said Senator Ford, President of the
Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc.
Senator Ford explained that William Crowe served in the
White House from 1954-55 as the Assistant Naval Attache’
to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He then commanded the
submarine, USS Wahoo, from 1957 to 1959. Later in 1962,
he served on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations
in Washington.
Crowe also served in Vietnam as the Senior Advisor to the
Vietnamese Navy Riverine Force in the Mekong Delta. Following
his promotion to rear admiral, Crowe commanded U.S. Naval
Forces in the Persian Gulf. He then was promoted to vice
admiral and became the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations
for Plans, Policy and Operations.
In 1980, he was promoted to 4-star rank and was named the
Commander in Chief of NATO forces in Southern Europe, with
headquarters in Naples, Italy. In 1983, he was named the
Commander in Chief of Pacific Forces, the largest geographic
command in the U.S. military.
President Reagan in 1985 appointed Crowe the 11th Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s highest
military position. He served until October 1989, having
declined an invitation from President Bush to remain in
the position. President Clinton named Crowe the Chairman
of the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board
in 1993.
From 1994-1997, he served as the American Ambassador to
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
He currently is the Chairman of the Board of Visitors for
the International Programs Center of Oklahoma University.
He is also the Chairman of the Advisory Board of GlobalOptions,
Inc., an international security and investigative firm based
in Washington.
“He has led an amazing life. His accomplishments are
innumerable. Not only is he a highly decorated officer in
the U.S. Armed Forces, he has also served as Ambassador
to the United Kingdom. I can’t think of a better man
to represent our great nation,” Ford said. “He
is a man with many hats. He also served as a Trustee of
Princeton University and is an accomplished author.”
The painting is a gift from Senator Glenn Coffee and his
family. Senator Coffee represents District 30, the area
in northwest Oklahoma City where Admiral Crowe was raised.
Coffee currently serves as the Assistant Republican Floor
Leader.
This and other art commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate
Historical Preservation Fund, Inc. can be found on the Internet
at: http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/senate/welcome.html.
For
more information contact:
Senate
Communications Office - (405) 521-5774
