[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 144 (Wednesday, October 7, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H10524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO RAY CLIFTON

  (Mr. SALAZAR asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment today to pay 
tribute to my very good friend Ray Clifton. Ray is the executive 
director of the Colorado Rural Electric Association, a position he has 
held since 1986. However, he will soon be retiring.
  Ray is a graduate of the University of Georgia and began his career 
in the utility industry, working with the Georgia Statewide association 
of cooperatives, the Georgia Electric Membership Corporation. From 
there, he came to Colorado to take on the job of running the CREA.
  As executive director, he has helped guide the CREA through exciting 
and challenging times, as the needs of supplying energy to Colorado 
homes and businesses has grown exponentially. He has been a leader and 
an innovator. His work has earned him awards and accolades, not to 
mention the many people who call him friend. I can proudly say that Ray 
is, indeed, my friend.
  Since my election to Congress in 2004, I have had many occasions to 
call upon Ray for advice and help as we deal with the difficult energy 
issues facing our State and our Nation. I always knew that Ray would 
tell it like it is and that his years of experience would be of great 
benefit to me as we in Congress wrestled with ensuring that our 
constituents had access to a reliable supply of electricity.
  What I really want to say today is thank you. Thank you for your 
years of service. Thank you for your always excellent and sage advice, 
and more importantly, thank you for your friendship and for the 
kindness you have shown me. Ray, I wish you the best in your 
retirement.

                          ____________________