[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 22 (Thursday, February 6, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO BARBARA BLACKFORD FOR HER DEDICATED SERVICE TO 
                            CRAWFORD COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 2003

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to 
pay special tribute to an outstanding lady from Ohio. Barbara Blackford 
was born in Crawford County and has lived there all her life. She was 
raised on a farm in Liberty Township and graduated from Sulphur Springs 
High School.
  Barbara worked in the accounting department of the Shelby Depot, at 
the Bucyrus Telegraph Forum, and at the Crawford County Board of 
Elections before becoming a county commissioner.
  As a county commissioner, Barb served on the CCAO Legislation 
Committee and the Ag and Rural Affairs Committee. Locally, Barb 
represented the commissioners on the Regional Planning Commission, the 
Erie Basin Resources Conservation & Development Committee, the 
Community Improvement Corporation, was an alternate for issue 11, 
served on the Personnel Committee, the Microfilm Board, and was on the 
MARC Board of Governors.
  Barbara did an outstanding job as a Crawford Community Commissioner. 
She has always enjoyed the small town atmosphere and has always 
respected and appreciated working with the people of Crawford County. 
Barbara practiced an opendoor policy and believed that local government 
should always be there to serve and to keep the best interests of its 
constituency in mind. Barbara Blackford did just that.
  Barbara is a devoted mother of four children and the proud 
grandmother of six grandchildren. She and her husband, Lloyd, attend 
the St. Paul Lutheran Church in North Robinson, Ohio.
  Mr. Speaker, Barbara Blackford will leave big shoes to fill as she 
leaves her post as Crawford County Commissioner. Her wisdom, honesty 
and forthrightness are attributes to which all public servants should 
aspire. She has set an example for everyone on how to live a life of 
service, putting the greater interests of the community before one's 
own.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute 
to Barbara Blackford. Our communities are served well by having such 
honorable and giving citizens, like Barbara, who care about their well 
being and stability. We wish Barbara, her husband, Lloyd, and their 
family all the best as we pay tribute to one of our State's finest 
citizens.

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