[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 93 (Thursday, July 8, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1323-E1324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              CHESTER GRAY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 8, 2004

  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Chester Gray 
of Cleveland, Ohio.
  Chester Gray, born on April 1, 1912, in Cleveland, Ohio, was one of 
two sons born to Morgan J. Gray and Elandra Holt Gray. Morgan, a 
Pullman Porter, originally from London, Ontario, and Elandra, daughter 
of a Canadian Baptist minister, raised their sons in an ``upper poor'' 
but loving home. Throughout his life Chester valued advice he received 
from his mother, ``Be yourself, and be somebody.'' He also shared his 
parent's belief in the efficacy of education.
  After graduating from Cleveland's East High School, Chester wanted to 
attend Fisk University, however his father advised him to stay home. A 
friend took him to meet the Jesuits, and soon he was riding the 
streetcar to the college at West 30th Street. So began his lifetime 
association with his alma mater John Carroll University. Chester 
enjoyed sharing memories about John Carroll where he was one part of 
the trio of young black men who were the first men of color to attend 
the University.
  Chester, ``Chet'' had a life filled with many interests. As a 
youngster he ice skated with his buddies at the old Elysium or played 
sandlot football. At John Carroll he played the French Horn and was a 
member of the university's first marching band. ``Chet'' dreamed of 
attending medical school after earning his bachelor in Philosophy, 
however money was short so, he ventured in other directions: He worked 
at the Cedar Branch YMCA, volunteered at Karamu House, joined the 
National Youth Administration and before long arrived at the Ohio 
Bureau of Employment, a destination that was to direct his future as a 
prolific public servant and consummate community citizen.
  Chester Gray was a brave man. In 1965 he was the lone Black man who 
was part of a three-man team of officials who traveled into the heart 
of Klu Klux Klan territory in Birmingham, Alabama. Their mission was to 
end job discrimination in the local steel mill. The officials endured 
insults, threats and possible physical harm, but they got their job 
done. They told the employers they'd have to follow minority guidelines 
mandated by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Thus began a new era in 
employment.
  Reflecting on his years and training at John Carroll University 
``Chet'' gave evidence of his quick humor. Describing sitting through 
the daily Mass conducted in Latin he said, ``There was an equality of 
ignorance. None of us knew what the hell was going on.'' He also noted 
that the skills he learned in critical thinking and understanding 
people were tolls that served him throughout his life.
  Perhaps one of the most profound life lessons Chester carried away 
from John Carroll was ``The bedrock of the Jesuit philosophy of doing 
good for others. Do the best you can for yourself, but also do 
something to make life better.'' He spent his life practicing the 
philosophy and had Ninety-Two glorious years of taking small and giant 
steps to make life better for his community.

                  Let the Work I've Done Speak for Me

       May the work I've done speak for me. When I'm resting in my 
     grave, there is nothing that can be said. May the work I've 
     done, speak for me. May the life I've lived speak for me. May 
     the service I gave speak for me. When I've done the best I 
     can, and my friends don't understand, may the service I gave 
     speak for me. The works I've done seemed so small. Sometimes 
     they seemed like nothing at all. But when I stand before my 
     God. I want to hear Him say ``Well Done.'' May the work I've 
     done speak for me.
       National Youth Administration, youth supervisor and state 
     supervisor of recreation and community affairs
       Chief of Minority Group Services, Ohio Bureau of Employment 
     Service
       American Red Cross, Military Welfare Branch
       Deputy director of operations, Ohio Civil Rights Commission
       Staff Director of Equal Employment Opportunity Program for 
     Cleveland district contact management office of U.S. Air 
     Force
       Director, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for 
     Ohio
       Elected to John Carroll University board of trustees
       Consultant, Cleveland Board of Education
       Interim executive director for Cuyahoga Metropolitan 
     Housing Authority
       Appointed to John Carroll University board of regents
       Inspiration and Consultant for ``Forever JCU'', the first 
     ever alumni of color event
       Former Board member Fairhill Center for Aging
       Guest Lecturer: Michigan State University, Western Reserve 
     University and numerous public and private organizations
       Member and Former Trustee, Mt. Zion Congregational Church
       Member of: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Tau Boule of 
     Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and past President of Cleveland City 
     Club
       ``Service is the rent we pay to be living. It is the very 
     purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time''
                                          --Marian Wright Edelman.


[[Page E1324]]


  Chester Gray was constantly described as ``a gentleman'', one of a 
vanishing breed of men who was elegant, articulate and cultured. But he 
was more, he was compassionate, a friend, a supporter and mentor. He 
had high standards and expectations. ``Chet'' or as he liked to refer 
to himself, ``The Silver Fox'', had a zest for living. Unaffected by 
the passage of time he was debonair, worldly, a man of great humor, 
twinkling eyes and a broad smile. He believed in finding positive 
solutions and believed in conciliation.
  Chester had a Forty-Seven year long love affair with his beloved 
Frances, who preceded him in death. They were blessed with one son, 
Chester, Jr. a resident of Philadelphia, Pa. Chester lived life to the 
fullest: golfing, traveling, dancing, cooking, reading, writing, 
practicing Tai Chi, sharing time with his wonderful world of diverse 
friends. He was indeed a ``Man for all Seasons''. We will miss him, but 
remember him with love.

                          ____________________