[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1163]]
   COMMEMORATING THE FORTY-YEAR CAREER OF DONALD MASSEY OF NEW MEXICO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2004

  Mr. UDALL of Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today before this august 
body to commemorate the distinguished career of my constituent, Donald 
Massey, of Portales, New Mexico. It is an honor not only to represent 
Mr. Massey, but also to have the opportunity to commend his virtues. 
Through four decades of service and dedication to the people of New 
Mexico, Donald Massey brought telephone and wireless communication 
services to thousands of rural New Mexicans, as well as volunteering 
his time and energy to the community of Portales. Today, Mr. Massey is 
the CEO and Executive Vice-President of the Roosevelt County Rural 
Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (RCRTC), which offers telephone service to 
rural communities throughout Eastern New Mexico. He has also been the 
coordinator and spokesman for the State of New Mexico at the National 
Telecommunications Cooperative Association legislative conferences from 
the 1980s to the present.
  In 1949, President Truman and this body recognized the need to bring 
telephone service to rural areas of our country, a need that is 
sometimes a matter of life and death. When Congress saw the need, men 
like Mr. Massey did the work. Beginning in 1964, he installed and 
maintained telephone lines in Eastern New Mexico as a lineman for the 
RCRTC. For the next 40 years, he successfully rose through company 
ranks to the very top management position. Far from being solely 
dedicated to his profession, however, Mr. Massey has continually served 
as a devoted member of his community, setting an example for his fellow 
citizens.
  One instance of his service to his community was in October, 1998. In 
that year, the local hospital closed, and the residents were left 
without a medical facility. Donald Massey stepped in, and by helping 
obtain a grant of $836,000 for the hospital, a new facility was quickly 
built. He ensured that fiber optic and wireless communications systems 
were installed in the new facility and even donated his office to the 
CEO of the hospital until the new building was completed.
  In 2003, Donald Massey received the National Telecommunications 
Cooperative Association Management Life Achievement Award. This award 
was given to honor his 40 years of high standards and commitment in the 
rural telecommunications industry.
  It is with great honor and pleasure that I present to this body the 
legacy of a man revered for his accomplishments. Amidst the many 
troubles and challenges our Nation faces, it is imperative that we are 
continually reminded of the good in our country and of those citizens 
who lead productive, honorable lives. Donald Massey is one of those 
citizens. I respectfully request that my colleagues join me in 
expressing sincere appreciation to him for his contributions to a 
better America and for his many years of service to the State of New 
Mexico. I also wish him the very best in his retirement and for 
continued success and fulfillment in the next stage of his life.

                          ____________________