[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 147 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1999]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO CHARLES EMERSON BATES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 13, 2002

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I recognize 
the life and passing of Charles Emerson Bates of Pueblo, Colorado. Mr. 
Bates passed away this October and, as his family mourns his loss, I 
would like to pay tribute to his life and the wonderful memories that 
he has left behind.
  Charles was born on December 1, 1946 in Granada Hills, California. He 
graduated from Valparaiso University in 1968, got his Master of Urban 
Education from Loyola University and received his Master of Arts in 
Information Science from Dominican University, Chicago in 1973. After 
finishing his education, Charles held a variety of library and teaching 
positions in Illinois and Wisconsin, including administrator of the 
Fond du Lac Public Library, a position that he held until 1976. In 
1981, Chuck and his family relocated to Pueblo, where he became the 
director of the Pueblo City-County Library District, a position he held 
for 21 years. -
  During his tenure as library director, Charles proved to be an 
outstanding leader and dedicated his time and energy to the improvement 
of Pueblo's libraries. Under his leadership, the library board passed 
two mill levy referendums and a $14 million bond issue toward the 
construction of the new Robert Hoag Rawlings Public Library. In 1997, 
Charles received the Colorado Library Lifetime Achievement Award in 
recognition of his tireless efforts toward advancing library facilities 
throughout the county.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I recognize the life of 
Charles Emerson Bates before this body of Congress and this nation. I 
extend my sincere condolences to his wife Mary, brother Robert, and his 
sons Chris, Noah, Colin. Charles lived his life with great passion and 
enthusiasm, contributing greatly to the betterment of the Pueblo 
community by promoting literacy and education through the expansion of 
public libraries throughout Southern Colorado. His loss will be deeply 
felt and the contributions he made will never be forgotten.

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