On the recordFebruary 13, 2018
I thank the chairman for giving me this opportunity. Unlike Mr. Walden, who met him back in 1988, I did not have the opportunity to fall within Ray's orbit until he became the staff director at the Energy and Commerce Committee about 13 months ago that I got to know him. I didn't serve on the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, so I never had any opportunity to work with him. I found him absolutely delightful to work with, extremely intelligent, always caring about the issues, passionate about his work, his honesty, and his forthrightness. You could always go and talk with him. Then I was particularly struck when it became clear that he was well aware of the severity of his illness and how he handled that, Mr. Speaker, with courage and grace. But knowing that the Energy and Commerce Committee would be handling and involved with the great issues of the day, he and I had several conversations about how he wanted to continue working and spending time, helping Chairman Walden on these issues, helping the committee, and helping our great country. So to his wife, Kristine, and their children, I thank them for sharing their great American husband, father, and citizen servant. We will all miss Ray Baum.
