[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 84 (Friday, May 19, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1087-E1088]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               TRIBUTE TO BROADCAST PIONEER, RAY LIVESAY

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                           HON. GLENN POSHARD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 18, 1995
  Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to Mr. 
Ray Livesay of Mattoon, IL. Mr. Livesay passed away in his sleep this 
past Tuesday and it is with sorrow that I speak here today to honor 
this extraordinary man.
  Ray Livesay was a modern pioneer of our airwaves. On the plains of 
central Illinois stands WLBH-AM and FM Radio which Ray built and 
watched grow into a public service that thousands of people depend on 
for their news and entertainment every day.
  The first time I had the pleasure of meeting Ray was when I ran for 
my congressional seat. He asked if I could stop by his radio station 
and talk to him for awhile. I said I would be happy to, but it would be 
a few weeks before I would be in the area, with the exception of 
Christmas Day when I would be visiting my wife's family near Champaign. 
To my surprise, Christmas Day was fine with Ray. I stopped at the 
station at 9:30 thinking perhaps a half-hour interview was awaiting me. 
Two and one-half hours later, we both walked out of the station headed 
for Christmas dinner with our families.
  I have been through many editorial board interviews in my public 
career, but none could match that 2\1/2\ hours with Ray. Every possible 
issue, in every part of the world, was covered. He was direct. He was 
honest. We agreed on much. We disagreed on some. but I never witnessed 
a greater thirst for exploring ideas, for grappling with tough problems 
than I did that Christmas Day from a man over 75 years old.
  He knew I was a Democrat, and there was never any doubt that he was a 
Republican. But on that sunny morning, we found a lot of common ground. 
I left there with a great respect for Ray. Mainly because he did not 
pull any punches, he was what he was. And I think he knew that, I too, 
struggle to find answers, albeit sometimes falling far short, and he 
respected the effort. There has not been a month that has gone by in 
the last 3 years when he has not called or written me about some issue. 
That Christmas morning led to lots of discussions between Ray and I, 
but even more than that, to a friendship that I cherished.
  The last time I saw him was at the ground-breaking a few weeks ago 
for the new business park on Route 16. We were leaving and we stood 
beside his car and talked for nearly 20 minutes. The conversation never 
left his dear wife, Leffel. He was concerned for her. Other issues 
could wait this day. She was the thing on his mind. He openly expressed 
to me the love for his wife and family and asked me to remember her in 
my prayers. I have.
  I will miss him a great deal. I will never forget that Christmas 
morning over 3 years ago when our friendship began.
  In 1950, Ray began a series of daily editorials that were soon to 
become a staple of life in central Illinois. His editorials were aired 
at 7:15 a.m. 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year. That is a total of well 
over 10,000 issues that Ray took the time to research and understand, 
before he formulated his well developed opinion. Early in his career 
some tried to influence the way Ray would view an issue; however, it 
did not take long for people to realize that Ray's ideas were his and 
could not be easily swayed.
  Mr. Speaker, Ray Livesay knew that the people who listen to his radio 
station deserve to know as much as they possibly can about issues 
affecting their lives. He believed in the idea that in order for a 
democracy to thrive its people must be well-informed. His ability to 
elicit thought provoking responses from elected officials and construct 
his insightful daily commentaries will be truly missed.
  Mr. Speaker, Ray's influence was not limited to central Illinois. He 
served as president of the Daytime Broadcasters Association for 28 
years, testified before more than 30 congressional committees, advised 
the U.S. State Department on radio matters as the broadcast industry 
developed, and in 1989, he was recognized by his peers when he was 
awarded the National Radio Award at the National Association of 
Broadcasters' Radio Convention in New Orleans.
  An example of Ray's ability to shape the future of radio is that he 
is the originator of the 9 kilohertz plan for AM broadcasting in North 
[[Page E1088]] and South America. This intricate plan will allow for an 
12 additional broadcast channels so that most daytime stations may 
become full time. Ray's basic broadcast plan became the U.S. 
Government's official position in 1979, and in 1980, he was asked to 
serve as an adviser at an International Radio Conference in Buenos 
Aires, Argentina.
  Ray Livesay will always have a special place in the hearts of those 
who knew him. I will never forget our long hours of discussions, or his 
tireless efforts to help the people of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, Ray was a 
valued and trusted friend, and it is with great sadness that I offer my 
sincere condolences to his family.


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