[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 45 (Tuesday, April 11, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E528]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE DISTINGUISHED CAREER OF RAY MINTON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 11, 2000

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ray Minton on 
his retirement as the Cannon County Election Commission's Administrator 
of Elections. He has served as Cannon County's chief election officer 
for 32 years.
  A lot has changed since 1968, the year Ray started working for the 
Cannon County Election Commission. Ballots have gone from paper to 
computer, and records from handwritten to typed to computer. District 
lines have been redrawn. Candidates have won or lost by the will of the 
voting public.
  No doubt the biggest change in Ray's life and the event that led him 
to the election commission was the discovery of a cancerous spinal 
tumor. After losing the use of his legs, he began to work part time at 
the election commission as part of his recovery. Ray has said that the 
work kept him busy and made him feel needed. And I can assure you that 
Ray has been, and still is, needed by his community and friends like 
myself.
  We will sorely miss him, but I'm sure Ray will continue to be a 
positive role model, admired for his attitude and service to his 
community.
  Ray, I wish you the best of luck in any new endeavors you decide to 
take on and for you to have a long and happy retirement spent with your 
family and friends.

                          ____________________