RECOGNIZING CONGRESSIONAL PATRIOT AWARD RECIPIENT RAY HUFFINES Speaker: Congressman Pat Fallon Publication: Congressional Record Date: 18 September 2024 Subject: American Government Topic: Ray Huffines

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 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.