[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 8, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF THE LATE KEITH CLARK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 1999

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I would like 
to take this moment to honor the remarkable life and exceptional 
achievements of a great Coloradan and American, Keith Clark. In doing 
so, I wish to pay tribute to Keith for all of his many years of service 
and sacrifice on behalf of this nation. At the same time, I would also 
like to offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Keith 
as they grieve at his passing. Like those who knew him well, the entire 
Grand Junction community will miss both Keith and his tireless service 
on their behalf.
  For 29 years in Grand Junction, Colorado's School District 51, Keith 
was a pillar of education who served with great distinction, both as a 
teacher and as an advocate for improving our schools. Keith was, for 
nearly three decades, a powerful voice of leadership and vision for 
education in the Grand Valley. It is clear, Mr. Speaker, that his 
leadership in education will continue to benefit students in our school 
system for many years to come. I know that this is a legacy that Mr. 
Clark would take great pride in.
  In addition to his service as an educator, Keith also served his 
country with great valor as a B-52 pilot during World War II. Mr. Clark 
flew and fought bravely over the skies of North Africa and Italy in 
defense of the nation he loved deeply.
  At one might surmise from his sustained service and selfless 
sacrifice, Keith was also a fierce patriot and proud American. He 
believed deeply in our constitutional form of government and in the 
bedrock principles--like freedom, liberty, and individual self-
determination--upon which this great republic stands.
  It is with this, Mr. Speaker, that I say thank you to Mr. Keith Clark 
for his decades of service, both in defense of our country as an airman 
and in defense of our future as an educator. He was truly a great 
American.
  At the same time, I would also like to offer my heart-felt 
condolences to Keith's family: his wife of 52 years Anita, his children 
Katie and Cal, and his three granddaughters Amber, Lily and Hillary. I 
hope that these family members, like everyone who has had the good-
fortune of knowing Keith, will take solace in the undisputable fact 
that they are a better person for having known him.

                          ____________________