[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO DAVID BAYLESS, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to David Bayless, 
Sr., of Denison, TX, a patriot, community leader, and dedicated husband 
and father, who passed away last December at the age of 80. David's 
service to the Denison community spanned 46 years and included 
significant involvement in a variety of civic endeavors as well as a 
long and devoted relationship with his alma mater, the University of 
North Texas.
  Born in Denton, TX, David enlisted in the Marine Corps while in 
college, completed Officer Candidate School in 1945 and served during 
the Korean conflict. He returned to Texas and became a leader in the 
Texoma area, serving as a member of the Denison City Council, president 
of the Denison Rotary Club, first president of the Denison Downtown 
Association, president of the Denison Chamber of Commerce, and chairman 
of the board of the Texoma Medical Center, just to name a few of his 
civic affiliations. David also was involved with religious and 
charitable organizations as an elder of First Christian Church and 
president of United Way.
  David also dedicated tremendous time and expertise to his alma mater. 
The University of North Texas benefited from his membership in the 
President's Council, as well as his time spent as regent from 1991 to 
1997, director of the UNT Foundation Board, and first president of his 
local Alumni Chapter, the Texas Eagles, which he founded.
  His years of work and service brought him many honors, including the 
``Outstanding Citizen'' award in 1978 and induction into the Grayson 
County ``Business Hall of Fame'' in 1998. In 1991, the University of 
North Texas honored David as its Outstanding Alumnus, and in 1999 UNT 
again honored him as a Distinguished Alumnus. David and his wife, 
Patsy, were honored with a bronze plaque on the ``Wall of Honor'' in 
the UNT Alumni Center, and Chestnut Hall, the new student health center 
at UNT, will name the rotunda in his honor.
  David will be missed by family, friends, and all those in Denison and 
at UNT whose interests he championed through a lifetime of service. He 
is survived by his wife Patsy and two children, David, Jr., and wife 
Sharon of Pottsboro, Brandy Hewitt and husband Stephen of McKinney, 
four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, David Bayless, Sr., was a great American and an 
outstanding civic leader whose legacy of service will be long 
remembered.

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