[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E9]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RAY CALHOUN DAY CELEBRATED IN CONGRESS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 1997

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, every now and then, you come across an 
individual who exemplifies the spirit and ethics on which this country 
was found. Ray Calhoun from the town of Hoosick, NY, in my 
congressional district is just such a man in every aspect of his life. 
I have had the privilege of knowing Ray for better than a quarter of a 
century now in both public and private life and it is with great pride 
that I call him friend.
   Mr. Speaker, there are so many things I admire about Ray I don't 
even know where to start so why not with the beginning. Ray was born on 
Christmas eve 1922 and raised on his father's dairy farm. They were a 
family farm and supplied local citizens and stores with fresh milk. As 
was typical at the time, Calhoun's farm became part of the fabric of 
the local community as the Calhoun's, Ray and his father and brother, 
became renowned for their service and pride in their work.
  Ray remained on that farm for the first 50 years of his life. It was 
there, rising at the crack of dawn, plowing and tending to the fields, 
harvesting the crops, and looking after the herd that Ray Calhoun, the 
man, was shaped.
  So it seems to me, Mr. Speaker, that we owe a lot to that farm. For 
it was there that Ray Calhoun developed his tremendous work ethic, his 
inner pride, and most importantly to those in Hoosick and the 
surrounding area, his willingness to do more than the norm.
   Mr. Speaker, nothing better exemplifies Ray's pride and resolve than 
the event that caused him to reluctantly leave the family farm business 
he so loved. You see, a tragic farming accident cost Ray his leg. Yet, 
as he recuperated at his home, I paid him a visit along with the 
current town supervisor, John Murphy. It was there, in the face of so 
much adversity that Ray decided to serve the community he so loved and 
run for town supervisor of Hoosick. Little did we know then that his 
decision would bear a second career of 23 years in public service. Not 
only did Ray go on to two successful terms as town supervisor, but he 
served as the town clerk from 1977 until just this past December 31, 
1996, when he retired from public service. But those of us who know him 
know that Ray will still be seen about town, whether it be at church, 
or at the many civic organizations he also belongs to and has served.
  I've always been one to judge people based on what they return to 
their community. Ray Calhoun has given all he can and then some. But to 
me Mr. Speaker, he's even more than that. Ever since my mother and I 
were left by my natural father shortly after I was born, I have always 
looked to men I admire as a father figure. For me, Ray has always been 
just such a father image. Someone I more than admire, someone I have 
tried to model myself after in life.
   Mr. Speaker, we all would do ourselves and our communities a great 
service to model ourselves after Ray Calhoun. At this time, I would ask 
that you and all Members of the House rise with me and the town of 
Hoosick, NY, in recognition of a great American on his day, Ray Calhoun 
Day, to be celebrated this January 12, 1997.

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