[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 125 (Tuesday, September 8, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S9127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO DORIS WALLACE

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, today I honor a woman who has 
contributed so much to the fabric of my home State of Idaho. Doris 
Wallace, the manager of the Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot, ID, 
will retire at the end of this month, following the completion of the 
2009 Eastern Idaho State Fair. That will mark her 26th year with one of 
Idaho's most well-known fairs. The eastern Idaho State Fair covers 16 
counties in eastern Idaho. Each county holds their individual county 
fairs with the blue ribbon winners advancing to competition at the 
Eastern Idaho State Fair.
  Doris is a hometown girl, born in Blackfoot and raised in Bingham 
County. She married Ray Wallace. Together they have three children: 
Nicole, Stephanie, and Todd.
  She began her career at the Eastern Idaho State Fair in 1983 when she 
began working as the office secretary. She was the ``front desk'' for 
the fair, and her personality, patience and friendliness represented 
the entire fair to those who entered her office to ask questions and 
complain about situations.
  In 1987, Doris became the assistant manager, where she became the 
center of the fair operations. Her responsibilities included the 
exhibitor's handbook, all financial transactions, commercial and 
concession vendors and coordinator for spring, summer, and fall events 
taking place on the fairgrounds.
  In 2000, Doris was promoted to fair manager by a five-member Fair 
Board. As manager, Doris used her years of experience to enhance an 
already-thriving annual event. She has encouraged participation of 4-H 
and Future Farmer of America projects and activities including the 4-H 
dog show, 4-H horse show, and 4-H livestock, canning, cooking and 
sewing demonstration projects. Future Farmers of America leave their 
classrooms on Friday to spend the day on the fairgrounds to personally 
experience and participate in judging competitions.
  In 2002, she was able to plan the celebration of the 100th 
anniversary of the Eastern Idaho State Fair. She produced an 
extravaganza of historical and colorful memories, which have made the 
fair a family tradition for those living in eastern Idaho.
  Doris has competently managed fair operations of the Eastern Idaho 
State Fair, which attracts 250,000 fairgoers over the 8-day fair, 
beginning each year on Saturday proceeding Labor Day. Events include 
traditional horse pulling, pari-mutuel horse racing, Indian relay 
races, junior and adult rodeos, professional entertainers, petting zoos 
and educational exhibits. The traditional tractor pull, demolition 
derby, and extreme bike riders are all part of Doris's management 
responsibilities as she has provided a fair of diverse attractions for 
a fairgoing audience of diverse ages, backgrounds and interests.
  As manager, Doris supervises six full-time employees and 
approximately 400 employees during the fair week, including ticket 
takers, car parkers, custodial services, ground crews, and security.
  Throughout her life and particularly during her career at the Eastern 
Idaho State Fair, Doris has contributed enormously, both privately and 
professionally, to the fair community, the city of Blackfoot, and all 
of eastern Idaho. Please join me in congratulating Doris Wallace on her 
years of service at the Eastern Idaho State Fair and wishing her well 
in her pending retirement.

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