[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 102 (Thursday, June 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ON THE PASSING OF THEO BAARS, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2008

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I 
rise today to recognize the passing of Theo Baars, Jr. Over several 
decades, Theo helped shape the Pensacola community and contributed 
greatly to making this area a great place for people to live and work.
  During the 1960s, 1970s and beyond, Theo played a great role in 
bringing some important businesses and services to the Pensacola area, 
located in my district in Northwest Florida. Through his active work in 
the real estate community, several buildings that are now considered 
landmarks were built, including Sacred Heart Hospital and Pensacola 
Junior College. Theo was instrumental in locating these two landmarks 
and numerous other buildings in areas where they would serve the 
greatest amount of people.
  Theo's projects not only benefitted great numbers of people but also 
the community as a whole. From health care to higher learning to 
consumer goods to state parks, he made sure that development was not 
done for the sake of development, but to directly benefit those living 
and working in the area. His dedication to the community's well-being 
extended into his involvement with several civic organizations as well, 
including the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, the National 
Naval Aviation Museum and his role as a founding member of Junior 
Achievement.
  Madam Speaker, Northwest Florida will long remember the legacy of 
Theo Baars, Jr. His influence in the area will not only be seen but 
also felt on a daily basis as people travel through the area. My 
thoughts and prayers are with Marge, his wife of 30 years, and all his 
family. We will miss this man who helped make our world a better place.

                          ____________________