[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 13 (Thursday, January 23, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN TRIBUTE TO MR. LESTER BAUM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 23, 2014

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise with great solemnity to share with 
you the recent death of Mr. Lester Baum.
  Lester Baum dedicated his life to working in the community. As a 
local fixture of Vernon, Connecticut, Lester was involved in politics, 
education, sports and the business community, working as a mentor, 
leader and friend to many.
  Lester was also passionate about his country, which he loved, and as 
a Korean war veteran believed deeply in participation with the 
democratic process that makes America the great country it is today. 
During a long distinguished carrier in politics, Lester was one of 
Senator Christopher Dodd's earliest and consistent supporters during is 
campaigns for Connecticut's second district and the U.S. Senate, and 
served as 2nd Congressional District Coordinator for President Carter. 
Lester also sat as the Vernon Democratic Town Chairman for 10 years 
during the 1970s and 1980s.
  On a personal note, from my first campaign for state representative 
from the town of Vernon to my most recent race for Congress, Lester was 
an incisive and consistent supporter of my efforts. I will never forget 
his simple but powerful advice, ``there is no such thing as a shutout 
in politics,'' which was a strong source of support during my 2006 
campaign for Congress, which I won by only 83 votes out of 242,000 
ballots cast.
  As a graduate of the University of Connecticut in 1948, Lester showed 
an unwavering dedication to the university which spanned several 
decades. As a familiar sight at most UConn basketball and soccer 
matches, Lester served as member of the UConn President's Athletic Task 
Force and the Athletic Advisory Committee. A two-term president of the 
UConn Club and a recipient of the UConn Alumni Association Jorgensen 
Award and the UConn Outstanding Contribution Award, Lester played an 
integral role in inspiring future generations of the university's 
graduates.
  As a zealous participant in Connecticut civic life, Lester served in 
board member capacities for a number of local organizations including 
the Vernon Board of Tax Review, Hockanum Valley Community Council, 
Rockville Redevelopment Commission, the Advisory Board of South Windsor 
Bank and Trust and the Planning and Growth Committee at Rockville 
General Hospital. Also the owner and President of the local business 
Farm Car Care Center Inc., Lester was an upstanding member of his local 
Connecticut community.
  Lester is succeeded by his his wife; two children and eight 
grandchildren, and will be sorely missed by his family along with a 
vast community of friends. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join 
me in honoring the life and service of Lester Baum, and sharing our 
condolences with the family and friends he leaves behind.

                          ____________________