[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 183 (Thursday, December 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    A TRIBUTE TO RAY A. HARRIS, RAMIE L. HARRIS, AND SHEY M. HARRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 1, 2011

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the lives of Ray A. Harris, Ramie L. Harris and Shey M. Harris, of 
Marion, Indiana who perished in a tragic plane crash on November 26, 
2011. Ray was 46, Ramie was 21, and Shey was 20. I join the Marion 
community in expressing my deepest condolences to Ray's wife, Sherry, 
and his son, Blake, who are left to carry on in this world without 
them. In one tragic day, Sherry lost her husband and two daughters. 
Likewise, Blake lost his father and two sisters. Other survivors 
include Ray's parents and in-laws and numerous aunts and cousins. Chris 
Backus, a student at Indiana Wesleyan University also died in the 
crash.
  As a businessman Ray was a pioneer of sorts in Marion. He moved his 
car dealership known as Ray Harris Chrysler Jeep from its established 
location to a new location at Ind. 18 and 1-69. He knew the risks 
associated with the move but he held a deep desire to make Marion a 
better place and because Ray was a visionary he knew the new location 
would grow into something good and benefit the community around it. Ray 
was a true community leader. He was a supporter of the Marion Giants; 
served 8 years as the President of the Marion Board of Works; was a 
member of the Meshingomesia Country Club, the Aero Club, Marion Pilots 
Club, and the Elks. Ray was a skilled hunter and fisherman. One of his 
favorite events was the annual Community School for the Arts, CSA, Go-
Kart race.
  As busy as Ray was in business and in the community, his family 
always came first. Ray was an attentive father and husband, rarely 
missing one of his children's events. Ramie was a 2009 graduate of 
Marion High School where she played soccer, basketball, and tennis. 
Ramie's soccer jersey number will be retired in her honor. Ramie also 
played in various PAL club sports and was the recipient of numerous 
scholarships. As a student at Marion High School, Ramie was active in 
Youth for Christ. She was also active in God's House Ministries' 
Children's Ministry Department. Ramie was a junior at Wheaton College, 
majoring in pre-med.
  Shey was a graduate of Eastbrook High School after having attended 
Marion High School until her junior year. Shey loved to dance and was 
majoring in dance with a minor in business at Anderson University at 
the time of her death. Shey attended and later taught at the Community 
School of the Arts and taught gymnastics at Mid America. Like her 
father and sister, Shey's love for the Lord guided her in her daily 
life. She was involved in the liturgical dance program at her church 
and the children's ministry department at College Wesleyan Church.
  Ray, Ramie, and Shey will be forever remembered by all who knew them 
as a loving family who devoted their lives and talents to community and 
God. In their death their memory will live on through the CSA Ray 
Harris Family Memorial Endowment Fund that was established at the 
Community Foundation of Grant County as a way for the community to 
honor the family. The money from the endowment will go to the 
organization for the Shey Harris Dance Scholarship, which will be 
awarded to a student from CSA. The Harris family were key supporters of 
the organization. Shey distinguished herself as a dancer and 
choreographer by the choreographing the first commercial CSA did for 
the Gorman Center for Orthodontics and being the youngest person to 
teach at the organization at the age of 14. Ramie danced at the school 
and danced in the first show that CSA ever did. Shey's and Ramie's 
surviving brother Blake was the CSA's ``Go Arts! Go Karts!'' 2010 
champion when he raced for his father's business. Ray's wife, Sherry, 
is also active in CSA events and is a former board member.
  The Harris family attended God's House Ministries and by all 
accounts, their lives were guided by their love for the Lord. At times 
of deep sorrow and grief, I am comforted by Psalm 23.

                       Psalm 23--A Psalm of David

     The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
     He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me 
           beside the still waters.
     He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of 
           righteousness for his name's sake.
     Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 
           I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and 
           thy staff they comfort me.
     Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine 
           enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup 
           runneth over.
     Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my 
           life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD 
           forever.

  Today, I pray for all of God's love and healing to be bestowed upon 
the Harris family.

                          ____________________