[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 33 (Monday, March 7, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S1328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        REMEMBERING C. RAY BAKER

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, today I honor the life of C. Ray 
Baker, a devoted champion of Fort Smith, AR.
  Ray Baker was a lifelong cheerleader of Fort Smith, proving his love 
for the community through serving its citizens for 20 years as mayor.
  Dedicating countless hours volunteering for civic service 
organizations, he brought an unmatched, contagious energy to ribbon 
cuttings, groundbreakings, awards ceremonies and special community 
events. His commitment to Fort Smith inspired the ``Ray Baker Lifetime 
Achievement Award.''
  He shared his enthusiasm for the community with the generations of 
students he taught over his 46 years as an educator. His legacy is far 
reaching beyond the halls of Southside High School where he taught for 
44 years.
  He received numerous awards and commendations for his years in the 
classroom including being named Arkansas PTA Teacher of the Year, a 
Milken Family National Educator, Arkansas Teacher of the Year and 
Daughters of the American Revolution National American History Teacher 
of the Year.
  Ray is a true American hero who not only taught what it means to 
participate in the government, but also showed his students and the 
citizens by the example he set.
  Ray Baker's legacy will live on for future generations to experience 
the projects he supported encouraged to the lives he touched in the 
classroom and civic outings all across the region.
  His energetic spirit has given us all strength, and we are fortunate 
to have had his leadership. During the opportunities I had to share the 
stage with Mayor Baker, I often had to follow his passionate and 
enthusiastic addresses. I would joke with the audience that I needed to 
spend a few days with the mayor so I could learn how to become as 
animated as he was.
  We all came to know and say his famous words he would recite after 
his speeches and proclamations, ``Life's worth living in Fort Smith, 
Arkansas.'' I am confident this will always be a motto for the 
community, and thanks to Ray Baker's determination, perseverance and 
dedication, he certainly made Fort Smith a place worth living.

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