[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DR. KARL CARSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 27, 2007

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Dr. 
Karl Carson of Fort Collins, Colorado. Dr. Carson was quoted in 2005 
saying he lived by a simple pledge: ``I hope, when I leave this place, 
I contributed to making it a better place.'' His legacy in Fort Collins 
was indeed a life of community service and devotion to family.
  Karl was born on September 27, 1915, in Wichita, Kansas, to Daniel 
and Clara Helfrick Carson. He was raised on the family dairy farm and 
every day before he went to school he milked cows and bottled milk. In 
high school, he met his lifelong sweetheart Wilma Schull and they 
married August 23, 1936. To this union five children were born: Allen, 
James, Daniel, Thomas and LuAnn. The Carsons also have eight 
grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
  Karl Carson attended Fort Hays State University in Kansas a music 
scholarship. He paid his way through college by singing at weddings and 
parties. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserve during World War II. Mr. 
Carson was a communications officer on the U.S.S. Strive, a mine 
sweeper.
  Following his military service, Mr. Carson attended the University of 
Nebraska and received his doctor of dental surgery degree in 1951. The 
Carson family moved to Fort Collins where Dr. Carson started his dental 
practice in 1954. His practice thrived and continued until his 
retirement in 1994. For 30 of those 43 years he practiced dentistry 
with his son, Tom. In 1991, the Colorado Dental Association gave him 
its Distinguished Service award.
  Dr. Carson was a member of the Fort Collins City Council from 1965 to 
1973. He held the city's top post, mayor, for five terms from 1968 to 
1973 at a time when City Council elected the mayor. He considered his 
support of adding fluoride to Fort Collins water supply among his 
greatest achievements. During his tenure, he started a program called 
Designing Tomorrow Today, which led to the construction of the Lincoln 
Center, city hall, and the downtown library.
  Dr. Carson's community service is legendary. He was the director of 
downtown Fort Collins development, president of Colorado Municipal 
League, and the Colorado League of Cities. He was also a member of 
Kiwanis since 1938. Continuing his love of music and youth, he lent his 
expertise to participants in the Kiwanis annual Stars of Tomorrow 
Talent Show.
  Madam Speaker, Dr. Karl Carson indeed fulfilled his legacy of leaving 
this world a better place. The citizens of Fort Collins, Colorado will 
never forget him. He was a man of love and commitment to his family and 
community. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. Karl 
Carson.

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