[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 92 (Wednesday, May 26, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S3499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING KATHIE BAILEY

 Mr. DAINES. Madam President, today I have the distinct honor 
of recognizing Kathie Bailey. Kathie passed away on May 14, 2021, in 
Lewistown, MT. Kathie was an amazing woman. She and her husband, Rod, 
were married for 43 years and had two sons, C.J. and Justin. She was 
active in supporting them in rodeo, 4-H, and FFA events. Kathie was a 
caring wife, mother, and grandmother.
  Kathie also was active in public service. She served on many State 
boards, as well as the administrator of the City of Colstrip for 7 
years and a Fergus County commissioner for 5 years. She served as a 4-H 
Extension staff member for several years and was on the national board 
for 6 years.
  Kathie was the driving force for the creation and development of the 
Snowy Mountain Development Center, SMDC. This organization has been the 
impetus for business development, homeownership, and health services in 
the area. Her staff lovingly called her ``Barracuda Bailey'' and the 
``Tasmanian Devil'' when describing her intensity and dedication to 
projects that were important to her and her community. Kathie left an 
endowment to ensure the long-term viability of SMDC, which she founded 
in 2001 and initially operated from the trunk of her car. As a result 
of her efforts, she built SMDC into a multimillion-dollar organization, 
recently recognized as an EnVision Center, a State-sanctioned Certified 
Regional Development Corporation, and helped establish a federally 
designated Economic Development District. She had a highly proficient 
team of professional women that she hand-picked, trained, coached, 
mentored, and trusted to carry forth her legacy. Central Montana's 
community and economic landscape reflects the thousands of hours and 
dollars she invested passionately, selflessly, and honorably in her 
community and with the people she loved so deeply.
  But most importantly, Kathie's life was shaped by God. She knew that 
God was guiding her to something new and even more rewarding and was 
eagerly awaiting God's calling. She was secure in knowing where she 
would spend eternity.
  We lost an accomplished person when Kathie passed. Her life was 
indicative of the true Montana spirit of selfless giving and dedication 
to making the world a better place. She will be missed.

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