[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 145 (Wednesday, September 18, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E919-E920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING CONGRESSIONAL PATRIOT AWARD RECIPIENT RAY HUFFINES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PAT FALLON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 18, 2024

  Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Samuel ``Ray'' 
Huffines of Plano, Texas, and present him with the Congressional 
Patriot Award. Ray has dedicated himself to faithfully serving our 
community and country.
  Ray was born and raised in Texas, graduating from the Schreiner 
Institute in 1970. He earned a Business Management degree from Texas 
A&M in 1974 and was a member of the National Champion Freshman Military 
Drill

[[Page E920]]

Team. Upon graduation, he worked at his family's car dealership until 
1979. Ray felt a calling for public service and launched his political 
career as a fieldman for Ronald Reagan's Presidential Campaign from 
1979 to 1980. After helping President Reagan win his election, Ray 
served as a personal assistant for Governor Bill Clements for four 
years, before going back to his family's Chevrolet dealership in 1984. 
He is proud to have played a part in expanding Huffines Auto 
Dealerships to ten dealerships across North Texas today.
  Ray's exceptional work was recognized when he was awarded Business 
Executive of the Year in 2008 and Corporate Citizen of the Year in 2013 
by the Plano Chamber of Commerce and was awarded Texas A&M University's 
Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2019.
  Ray's commitment to service continued through his roles with the 
Plano Rotary Club, Chamber and Economic Development Board. 
Additionally, his involvement includes board membership at Dallas 
Baptist University, Trinity Christian Academy, and the 12th Man 
Foundation for Texas A&M, to name a few. Ray is a man of faith and 
attends Bent Tree Bible Fellowship Church. I commend Ray for his 
dedicated service to the people of our community and wish him continued 
success for many years to come.
  It is an honor to bestow Ray with the Patriot Award for his 
exceptional service to the people of our Nation and the people of North 
Texas.

                          ____________________