[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 118 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING BILLIE RAY HUDDLESTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2009

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Billie Ray Huddleston was born in Celina on August 
23, 1929. His love for church, family, school and community continues 
even as he celebrates his 80th birthday.
  Billie Ray has lived his entire life in Celina, where he attended 
Celina High School and graduated in 1946. He then attended North Texas 
State College, now known as the University of North Texas, and 
graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science. He taught math for 10 
years until deciding to farm full time, first with his father and then 
with his son, and continues to help his son and grandson as needed.
  During his farming years, Billie Ray served on the Celina Cooperative 
Gin Board for 37 years. He has been a longtime director of the Collin 
County Farm Bureau and for six years served as a director of the Texas 
Farm Bureau. During part of this time he served on the Southern Farm 
Bureau Insurance Boards and continues to be involved in federal and 
state legislative affairs. He also served on the Project 2000 Committee 
for long-range planning to carry Texas Farm Bureau into the next 
century. He has been the recipient of many awards, including the Collin 
County Conservation Farmer of the Year, Denton Wise County Conservation 
Farmer of the Year, Collin County Farmer of the Year and the Collin 
County Farm Bureau Pioneer Award.
  In 1955, Billie Ray married Jane Merritt and they have four children: 
Charles and his wife Sherry of Celina, Janet and her husband Randy of 
Celina, Laurie and her husband Russell of Waco, and Mike and his wife 
Ingrid of Keller. They are the grandparents of 11 beautiful 
grandchildren.
  During the time his children were in the Celina schools he served for 
13 years as a trustee of the Celina Independent School District. He was 
also a member of the Quarterback Club for many years, serving as 
captain in 1973.
  His civic involvement includes serving on the Celina City Council for 
2 terms during which the first Comprehensive Plan was formed, and 
recently he served on the committee for the current comprehensive plan 
which is in its final stages. Seeing the need for a public park, he was 
instrumental in securing the land and negotiating the purchase of more 
than 40 acres, where a wonderful park was dedicated in 2006 to the City 
of Celina. In 2002 he and his wife, Jane, were awarded the Lifetime 
Achievement Award from the Chamber of Commerce ``in recognition of 
their continuous service and support.'' In July of 1976 he was 
recognized by The American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of Texas 
for his participation in celebrating the Bicentennial.
  Billie Ray has been a member of the First Baptist Church in Celina 
since 1951 and has served as a deacon for 53 years. He has been such an 
important and influential member of the Celina community, and his many 
friends today join his family in wishing a wonderful 80th birthday to 
this great citizen, Billie Ray Huddleston.

                          ____________________