[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 8, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E860]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO CASEY BLAKE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAVID YOUNG

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 8, 2016

  Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate Casey Blake of Indianola, Iowa, for receiving the 2016 
Robert D. Ray Pillar of Character Award from The Robert D. and Billie 
Ray Center in Des Moines, Iowa. The Award is given to those who live a 
life full of good character and foster greater character in others. 
This nonprofit organization, formerly known as Character Counts in 
Iowa, was created in 1997 by former Iowa Governor Robert D. Ray and 
former First Lady Billie Ray. It showcases humanitarian and civility 
endeavors impacting Iowans. The six character pillars are: 
trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and 
citizenship.
  Mr. Blake and his wife Abbie, as well as their six children, reside 
in Indianola, Iowa but for 13 years, he was defined a professional 
baseball player for several teams including Toronto Blue Jays, 
Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles 
Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies organizations. Upon his retirement, 
the family returned home to Iowa and his hometown of Indianola. In 
2010, they founded the Indianola Community Youth Foundation, built the 
Blake Fieldhouse and other community athletic complexes. Mr. Blake was 
inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame in 2014 and the 
Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2016.
  I applaud and congratulate Casey Blake as a shining example of how 
hard work, determination, and dedication can affect the future of a 
community. It is with great honor that I recognize him today. I know 
that my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives join me in 
honoring his accomplishments. I wish him continued success in his 
future endeavors.

                          ____________________