[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10017]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE SERVICE OF C. RAY BAKER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN BOOZMAN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 2, 2009

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the service 
and commitment of C. Ray Baker who has devoted his life to helping make 
``Life worth living in Fort Smith, Arkansas.''
  Ray Baker has been a lifelong champion of Fort Smith. He's shown his 
love for the community through serving its citizens for the past 19 
years as Mayor.
  He shared his enthusiasm for the community with the generations of 
students he taught over his 46 years as an educator. His legacy is far 
reaching beyond the halls of Southside High School where he taught for 
44 years.
  He has received numerous awards and commendations for his years in 
the classroom including being named Arkansas PTA Teacher of the Year, a 
Milken Family National Educator, Arkansas Teacher of the Year and 
Daughters of the American Revolution National American History Teacher 
of the Year.
  Teaching was only one passion, he has dedicated countless hours 
volunteering for civic service organizations and the energy he brings 
to ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings and awards ceremonies and special 
community events is contagious. His dedication to Fort Smith has 
inspired an award named after him, the ``Ray Baker Lifetime Achievement 
Award.''
  Ray is a true American hero. He has had a tremendous impact on me 
because of the way he lives his life.
  His energetic spirit has given us all strength, and we are fortunate 
to have his leadership and dedication. Fort Smith is a better place 
because of Ray Baker.

                          ____________________