[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 71 (Thursday, May 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E793]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE KENNETH GRAY, RETIRED U.S. CONGRESSMAN FROM 
                                ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2008

  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing the distinguished career of the Honorable 
Kenneth Gray and to express appreciation for his years of service to 
his country and to the residents of southern Illinois.
  A native son of West Frankfort, IL, Ken is a man of varied interests 
and talents. He was both a licensed pilot and auctioneer. From 1942 to 
1954, he owned Gray Motors in West Frankfort and also operated an air 
service in Benton from 1948 to 1954.
  In World War II, Ken answered his country's call to service at the 
age of 18, which took him to North Africa and Italy as well as combat 
missions over southern France and central Europe. Ken's decorations for 
his service in World War II included 3 bronze stars.
  Upon returning home from the war, Ken became involved in assisting 
his fellow veterans and it was through these endeavors that he was 
encouraged to run for the U.S. Congress. Ken won election from the 25th 
Congressional District of Illinois in 1954 as a freshman member of the 
84th Congress and he continued to serve for a total of 10 successive 
terms. Because of health concerns, Ken did not run for re-election in 
1974 but ran again, and won, in 1984 and served another two terms, 
representing his beloved southern Illinois in the U.S. House of 
Representatives.
  As a U.S. Congressman, Ken was a tireless advocate for the needs of 
the people of southern Illinois and built a reputation as a member who 
worked well with his colleagues to get the job done. On a personal 
note, I have always been grateful to Ken for what he did for me when I 
was first elected to Congress. I was elected in a special election in 
August 1988 to complete the term of Mel Price, who passed away that 
year. Ken resigned his position on the Transportation Committee, which 
made a seat available for me and gave me seniority over other members 
who were first elected in 1988 to start the 101st Congress.
  Since retiring from Congress in 1988, Ken has continued to work hard 
for the needs of the people of southern Illinois. He has served on 
several boards and projects, most notably as a board member of the Rend 
Lake Conservancy District. He has also worked on a number of 
initiatives to improve rural health care, especially in Franklin 
County, IL. Ken is frequently a speaker at local political and 
charitable events which benefit a number of organizations, such as the 
Poshard Foundation for Abused Children.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in an expression of 
appreciation to the Honorable Kenneth Gray for his years of service to 
this body and to the people of southern Illinois and to wish him and 
his family the very best in the future.

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