[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 135 (Wednesday, September 23, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S9731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING RONALD EUGENE RAIKES

 Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to 
a good friend who touched the lives of many Nebraskans. Ronald Eugene 
Raikes of Lincoln passed away tragically at the age of 66 after a 
farming accident on September 5, 2009, at his farm in Saunders County, 
NE.
  As Nebraska's Governor, I had the honor of appointing Ron to my home 
State's unique one-house legislature in 1997 to finish the term of the 
late Senator Jerome Warner. I chose Ron for this legislative seat 
because he was a brilliant and dedicated individual, and because he 
shared many other of the wonderful qualities of Senator Warner who was 
a storied lawmaker in his own right. The choice turned out to be 
inspired, as Ron quickly won the respect of his fellow state senators.
  Ron served in the Nebraska Unicameral as the representative from 
District 25 in southeast Lincoln. He was elected to two 4-year terms 
before retiring in 2008 due to term limits. As chair of the 
Legislature's Education Committee, he was a tireless advocate for 
children and helped develop a number of major initiatives aimed at 
addressing the needs of minority and underprivileged youth.
  The life of Ronald Eugene Raikes, both in public and private, was one 
filled with quiet dignity and integrity. He always said that our aim, 
whether as elected officials or individuals, should be to make a 
contribution. Ron succeeded in that endeavor and, as such, is sorely 
missed by his fellow Nebraskans. Our hearts go out to his wife Helen; 
his children Heather, Abbie and Justin; his brother Jeff; and his 
sisters Ann, Susan and Mary Jo, as well as all those who knew and 
worked with him. The life of Senator Ron Raikes leaves behind a legacy 
in Nebraska for many generations to come.

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