[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 21]
[Senate]
[Page 28234]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO FRANK M. ``MARK'' NEWTON

 Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Frank M. 
``Mark'' Newton, assessor of Grant Parish. Mr. Newton retired on 
October 31, 2005, after 45 years of service to Grant Parish. Today, I 
want to take a moment to offer warm thanks for his years of service to 
the State of Louisiana and Grant Parish and thank him for all of his 
endeavors.
  A life long resident of Grant Parish, LA, he was the youngest child 
of Will and Laura Newton and graduated from Dry Prong High School in 
1953. After proudly serving in the U.S. Marine Corps for 3 years, he 
immediately enrolled at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, 
LA. Upon graduation in 1960, he became an involved and dedicated 
teacher in the Grant Parish school system. Soon becoming the business 
manager for the Grant Parish school system, Mr. Newton served proudly 
in this position until 1977 when he became the chief deputy tax 
assessor of Grant Parish. He proudly retained this position until his 
retirement at the end of October.
  Known as someone who would always lend a helping hand, Mr. Newton 
developed and maintained numerous relationships that have lasted a 
lifetime. During his tenure as a public servant, not only did Mr. 
Newton create a wonderful working relationship with all of his 
employees, but he also became known as a dependable and well respected 
leader of Grant Parish.
  Mr. Newton was recently quoted saying ``during my work years, I have 
tried to follow this motto--follow the law, use common sense, and have 
compassion for people. Suffice it to say, it's been a good trip.'' All 
of the citizens of Grant Parish have come to know that he has honorably 
and courageously stuck by these words. I now come to the Senate floor 
today to join the residents of Grant Parish in personally commending, 
honoring, and thanking him for his 45 years service to central 
Louisiana.

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