[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E53]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                   HONORING RAYMOND L. CRAWFORD, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 20, 2022

  Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of a great man, Mr. Raymond L. Crawford, Jr. of Denton, Texas who 
passed away on January 17, 2022. He lived a full life and was a 
respected business leader, philanthropist and beloved husband and 
father.
  Mr. Crawford was born and raised in Lewisville, Texas where he was 
baptized at the First Presbyterian Church. He attended Lewisville High 
School and was a four-sport letterman. As President of the Senior Class 
of 1958, he led a class trip to Washington, D.C., where the group met 
with their Congressman, Frank Ikard. He furthered his education at 
North Texas College in Denton. As a student, he was a football player 
and a member and President of the Geezles fraternity, graduating in 
1963 with a BA in Mathematics.
  He was a life-long financial and insurance services professional, 
beginning his successful five-decade career with Northwestern Mutual 
with an on-campus interview at his alma mater. The trade association, 
Million Dollar Roundtable, recognized him in 2018 with a lifetime 
membership for having 50 consecutive years meeting the organization's 
ethical standards and sales requirements. In addition, he was 
recognized by Northwestern Mutual in 1983 as one of its top 20 salesmen 
in the nation. He prided himself on doing his best to build client 
relationships based upon trust and integrity, and advising them with 
the best investment products to protect and provide for those most 
important in their lives.
  R.L.'s love for the University of North Texas manifested in his 
financial support and volunteer service on many UNT boards, including 
the UNT Board of Regents from 1989 to 1995 and as chairman and emeritus 
director of the UNT Foundation Board. He was also a proud member of the 
Mean Green Club and the UNT Alumni Association. He also actively 
engaged in his community, serving in leadership roles as the President 
of the Greater Lewisville Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of Medical City 
Lewisville, and President of the Lewisville Rotary Club as well as 
multiple non-profits. He was named Lewisville's 1983 ``Citizen of the 
Year'', an honorary lifetime board member of the Dallas United Way and 
a Paul Harris Fellow Rotarian.
  He was devoted to Brenda, his college sweetheart, and wife of 57 
years. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, R.L. ``Trey'' Crawford 
III, and F. Guy Crawford. Following in the steps of their parents, both 
men also graduated from the University of North Texas. R.L. Crawford, 
Jr. was a great personal friend and advisor to me and my wife. We 
extend heartfelt condolences to R.L.'s family; he will be deeply missed 
by his friends and family and the North Texas community.

                          ____________________