[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              MAURINE GRAY

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 1, 2008

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, today I am proud to honor the lifetime of 
service given by Maurine Gray, longtime director of the Beaumont, 
Texas, Library. She spent almost 40 years serving the city and helped 
turn their public library system into one of the best in the State.
  Enid Maurine Gray was born in Galveston, Texas, in 1943. An only 
child, she moved to Beaumont before her third birthday so her father 
could work as a family physician at a local refinery. After her high 
school graduation, she continued her education and received her BA from 
Northeast Louisiana State College and her Master's Degree in library 
science from North Texas State University.
  She returned to Beaumont in 1966 to head the city's then fledgling 
library system. At the time, there were two libraries. Under her 
vision, the City of Beaumont established an additional four libraries, 
including a new main Library. Maurine was employed by the City of 
Beaumont from 1966 until her retirement in November of 2006. Never one 
to rest, she was hired back after retirement as a part-time consultant 
on projects including the expansion of Terrell Historical Library.
  Numerous professional accolades were awarded to Maurine throughout 
her life. She was elected the secretary/treasurer of the American 
Library Association in 1972 during their annual convention. North Texas 
State named her a Distinguished Alumnus in 1980. In 1992, the Texas 
Municipal League named her the Library Director of the Year. She also 
received the Athena Award in 2005, which is presented to a woman for 
her professional achievements.
  Maurine was the Library Director but she also wore many other hats. 
She worked with United Way, the Humane Society, the Beaumont Rotary 
Club where she once served as President, the Beaumont Civic Opera, and 
the Beaumont Heritage Society, to name a few. She was affiliated with 
the Texas Municipal Librarians Association, Junior Roundtable of Texas 
Library Association, and was a member of the Texas State Library 
Advisory Council.
  Enid Maurine Gray passed away on June 21, 2008.
  On behalf of the Second Congressional District of Texas, I applaud 
Maurine Gray on her lifetime of dedication and service to the 
community. She has made Southeast Texas a better place to live.

                          ____________________