E54 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 9, 2009 

Azerbaijani relations with the United States 

will surely be negatively affected by this decision. I regret that when President Ilham Aliev 

eventually meets President Barack Obama, 

they will have to spend time discussing why 

Baku has shut down U.S.-funded radio stations, instead of exploring ways to deepen the 

relationship between our countries. 

The Helsinki Commission intends to examine U.S. international broadcasting in a future 

hearing and discuss ways of ensuring the continuance of this vital service. Meanwhile, it is 

my hope that President Aliev will find a way to 

keep RFE/RL and VOA on the air. 

f 

BCS/UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 

HON. JASON CHAFFETZ OF UTAH

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, January 9, 2009 

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, the University of Utah Football Team deserves to be 

National Champions. The Running Utes of 

Utah had a remarkably perfect 13–0 season, 

the only undefeated team out of the 119 in the 

NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision. They started the season by defeating the perennial powerhouse Michigan Wolverines. They beat the 

Oregon State Beavers, who one week earlier 

had beaten the #1-ranked USC Trojans. They 

went on to beat the TCU Horned Frogs and 

the BYU Cougars, who were both ranked in 

the top 15 of the BCS at the time. Finally, in 

the Sugar Bowl, the University of Utah 

crushed the University of Alabama, who was 

ranked #1 in the BCS for much of the season. 

The Utes were able to turn back the Crimson 

Tide, but were still wiped out of consideration 

for the BCS National Championship. 

Perhaps the Bowl Championship Series, the 

so-called BCS, would best be referred to as 

the Good ‘Ol Boys Championship Series. The 

University of Utah bowled over 13 opponents 

this year without a single loss. It would be 

seemingly inappropriate for the Utes to be 

bowled over by the good ’ol boys off the field. 

The University of Utah Football Team deserves to be National Champions. 

f 

HONORING THE SERVICE OF ROBERT H. CHRISTY, JR., CLERK OF 

SUPERIOR COURT FOR BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 

HON. HEATH SHULER OF NORTH CAROLINA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, January 9, 2009 

Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today 

to honor Mr. Robert H. Christy, Jr., on his impending retirement. He has faithfully and effectively served as the Buncombe County 

Clerk of Superior Court for the past 18 years 

and will retire on December 31, 2008. 

Since his initial swearing in on September 1, 

1990, Bob Christy has overseen the court system during a time of tremendous growth. During that time, his office has grown from 47 employees to 65. Criminal and civil court filings 

have more than doubled during his tenure. 

Previously practicing law in the community, 

Christy’s experience as an assistant clerk of 

court to J. Ray Ellingburg for 7 years prepared 

him well for the clerkship. 

As Clerk of Court, Christy managed Buncombe County’s District Court and Superior 

Court, an operation that entails approximately 

$25 million in annual revenue. Beyond monetary responsibilities, Christy supervised recordkeeping in the local courts for all civil actions, 

special proceedings, court minutes, liens and 

other actions. 

Mr. Christy found opportunity in the clerkship to express his great compassion for the 

elderly, the bereaved, and the struggling of 

Buncombe County. Over the past 18 years, 

the Clerk of Court has handled such delicate 

matters as juvenile crime, adoption, domestic 

violence, and issues of wills and estates. 

Christy operated the clerk’s office with an 

open door policy in which he counseled on 

legal matters but also strove to alleviate the 

emotional concerns of those in need. 

As a public servant, Christy had a great 

passion and respect for the office that he held. 

During his tenure, he served as president of 

the North Carolina Clerks Association, overseeing the executive committee in decisionmaking that in turn affected 10,000 clerks in 

the 100 counties across the state. He served 

on the Governor’s Crime Commission and the 

boards of the North Carolina Courts Commission and the North Carolina Credit Union. He 

worked closely with the bar association in the 

county and is known for having strong relationships with area attorneys. 

In his private life as well, he is known for 

activism and involvement. The Democratic 

Party in Buncombe County has honored 

Christy with several awards. He is an active 

member of Central United Methodist Church. 

In retirement, Christy will be returning to private legal practice with his long-time friend, 

Asheville attorney Jack Stewart. 

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Mr. 

Robert Christy today, to thank him for his tremendous service to the community, and to 

wish him well in his retirement. 

f 

ON THE OCCASION OF THE 50TH 

ANNIVERSARY OF SENATOR 

ROBERT C. BYRD’S SERVICE IN 

THE U.S. SENATE 

HON. NICK J. RAHALL II OF WEST VIRGINIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, January 9, 2009 

Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, this week, in 

this Capitol, we are witnessing a convergence 

of a number of events that will long stand out 

in our Nation’s collective memories. We are on 

the front edge of a new session of Congress, 

preparing for a landmark moment in the history of America’s presidency. And, at the 

same time, we are celebrating a major milestone for one of this Nation’s most devoted 

and accomplished public servants—U.S. Senator ROBERT C. BYRD. 

It was 50 years ago, that Senator BYRD, for 

the first time, took the oath of office to serve 

in the United States Senate—an oath he has 

now taken a record-setting nine times. 

Yesterday, as numerous Members of the 

House and Senate raised their own hands and 

took their own very first oaths, I could not help 

but think about what it must have been like for 

our Senior Senator from West Virginia to 

watch these new ranks at the start of their 

own Congressional careers. 

I was reminded of my first day of service in 

this body. I recall being humbled by the responsibility that had been placed in my hands 

and awed by the auspicious ceremony and the 

grandeur of this ornate Chamber. 

On that first day, I was relieved at the 

knowledge that I was blessed with the wisdom, the support, and the mentorship of ROBERT C. BYRD. Throughout my career here, he 

has been a constant source of encouragement 

and sage advice. 

Today, as we embark upon this new session cognizant of the tremendous challenges 

before us—a struggling economy, two wars, a 

strapped Federal budget, and growing public 

need—we can breathe easier knowing that we 

are all blessed to have the continuing service 

of ROBERT C. BYRD to steer us through the 

rocky shoals. 

Congratulations to Senator BYRD—our trailblazer, our Leader, our Big Daddy. May he 

continue to serve the people of West Virginia 

and the entire Nation for many years to come. 

f 

ST. PETERSBURG MAYOR RICK 

BAKER NAMED ONE OF NATION’S 

OUTSTANDING PUBLIC OFFICIALS 

HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, January 9, 2009 

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, I 

rise to pay tribute to St. Petersburg Mayor 

Rick Baker who last November was named 

one of Governing magazine’s eight public officials of the year. 

Now beginning his 8th year as mayor, Rick 

has brought insurmountable energy and passion to serving the people of St. Petersburg 

and revitalizing the entire community. His 

catch phrase is, ‘‘Another great day in St. Petersburg,’’ and under his leadership, every day 

has become another great day for our community. 

As the only mayor honored this year, the 

magazine dubbed Mayor Baker as ‘‘Mr. Inclusive’’ for his work to revitalize the city’s economy, improve its parks system, and improve 

the city’s schools. 

This is one of many honors Rick’s hard 

work and commitment to public service have 

earned him and the city. Just last September, 

General Colin Powell’s America’s Promise Alliance named St. Petersburg one of our Nation’s 100 Best Communities for Young People. 

During ceremonies September 22 at Union 

Station, the organization cited St. Petersburg 

for its effort to improve its schools by forming 

corporate sponsorships. In particular, it said, 

‘‘St. Petersburg has a strong backbone—the 

mayor—who, since 2003, has increased corporate partners for its schools from nine to 

nearly 80.’’ 

It was Rick Baker whose vision led to the 

establishment of the Mayor’s Mentors & More 

program 6 years ago. With the support of the 

Pinellas Education Foundation, which funded 

a city staff position to lead mentor training, the 

city has trained more than 500 mentors over 

the past 2 years. 

Madam Speaker, as Rick Baker embarks 

upon his final year as mayor, it is good that he 


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