[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 124 (Thursday, September 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF RAY R. POLIAKOFF

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 29, 2005

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Ray R. Poliakoff, 
a wonderful man and a friend to the community of Denton, Texas. Mr. 
Poliakoff passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2005 at Baylor Regional 
Medical in Plano. Ray was 86.
  Ray R. Poliakoff was born March 12, 1919 and spent his life serving 
our country, committing his life to continuing education and working 
vigorously. He was a member of the United States Army in a 
Reconnaissance Intelligence Unit in Europe during World War II and was 
twice wounded in battle. After the war, he graduated from Indiana 
University with bachelor of law and doctor of jurisprudence degrees. He 
also received a Master of Arts degree in humanities from the University 
of Evansville, Indiana.
  Throughout the years, Ray was very active in oil, gas and coal 
exploration and development. He held various executive positions in 
Northern Illinois Coal Corporation, Sentry Royalty Company, Sinclair 
Coal Company, Peabody Coal Company, AMAX Coal Company, Data Tech 
Corporation, and even independently produced oil for 12 years. During 
the period of 1949 to 1989, he also worked with various national and 
international concerns and individuals in coal, oil and gas, and other 
natural resource ventures and concessions in the U.S., Alaska, Canada, 
Europe, Australia, the Middle East and the Far East. Even though Ray 
retired in 1984 and in 1988 went on inactive status as an Indiana 
attorney in good standing, he remained a long-standing member of the 
American Bar Association and was, until recently, a member of the ABA 
Section on Natural Resources, Energy, and Environmental Law; Science 
and Technology; and Individual Rights and Responsibilities.
  Today, I would like to recognize and celebrate Mr. Poliakoffs life. 
He was intelligent, thoughtful and a true American. Ray leaves behind 
his lovely wife, Dr. Ann Stuart, Chancellor of Texas Woman's University 
in Denton, his children and grandchildren. They are all in my thoughts 
and prayers. Ray will be deeply missed by his family and the community 
of North Texas.

                          ____________________