[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 207 (Friday, December 15, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING ROBERT E. `BOBBY' BURNS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. AUGUST PFLUGER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 15, 2023

  Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Robert E. `Bobby' 
Burns on his retirement from the Midland Chamber of Commerce after 
twelve years leading the organization, and more than four decades of 
service to the Midland community.
  Bobby is officially retiring after an illustrious career as a 
business owner, three-term mayor, and most recently as the President 
and CEO of the Midland Chamber of Commerce. Under Bobby's leadership, 
the city of Midland and its business community soared to new heights.
  As Mayor, he led the charge to connect Midland and Odessa to the rest 
of the country through the creation of the Midland International 
Airport and connected Midlanders through the construction of Loop 250. 
He was also instrumental in the creation of the Scharbauer Sports 
Complex.
  While leading the Chamber, Bobby revitalized the organization and 
oversaw the Four-Star Accreditation of the Midland Chamber with the 
U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He was instrumental in the development of the 
first-class Barbara & George H.W. Bush Convention Center in the heart 
of downtown Midland, and he raised funds for the life-size sculpture of 
the President and Mrs. Bush.
  I especially want to recognize Bobby for his love of Midland and this 
great nation. Under his watch, Bobby organized the 4th of July Star-
Spangled Salute and the Midland-Odessa Fly-In to Washington D.C. The 
Salute is still the most widely attended annual single-day event in all 
of Midland, and the Fly-In brings West Texas values--especially those 
foundational to the oil and gas industry--to our nation's capital.
  Above all else Bobby is a family man: husband to Denise `Deni,' 
father of two, and grandfather of three. I want to sincerely thank his 
family for their service and for supporting his efforts. Please join me 
in recognizing Bobby for his decades of selfless service to the 
community of Midland.

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