[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 177 (Thursday, November 20, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF RAY STEELE, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleagues from 
California Mr. Cardoza, Mr. Nunes and Mr. Radanovich to pay tribute to 
the distinguished public service of Ray Steele, Jr. After 41 years, Ray 
Steele is retiring as publisher and president of the Fresno Bee in 
Fresno, California.
  Prior to embarking on his distinguished career with the Fresno Bee, 
Ray worked at the Fowler Ensign and for the Associated Press Bureau in 
Fresno. In 1967, he began what would result in 41 years of service to 
the McClatchy Company. Mr. Steele worked tirelessly in various 
positions with the Fresno Bee, the Sacramento Bee and with corporate 
headquarters.
  Ray started as a reporter with the Fresno Bee while he was still in 
college. During his time there he held several positions in the news 
room before moving to Sacramento in 1982 to take on the position of 
administrative director of the Sacramento Bee, and then later becoming 
publisher of community publications. In 1986, Mr. Steele returned to 
Fresno, California and became the General Manager of the Fresno Bee, 
with responsibility for all business operations. After only seven years 
Mr. Steele moved on to corporate headquarters where he held several 
different management positions. In 2001, he became publisher and 
president of the Fresno Bee.
  Throughout his distinguished career, Ray has served on numerous 
boards and has given back to his community. He currently serves on the 
board of directors of the Fresno Business Council, the Economic 
Development Corporation of Fresno County and the Fresno Regional 
Foundation. He also serves on the board of governors of California 
State University Fresno Foundation as well as the advisory council of 
the Criminology Department. Ray has also been a lifetime member of the 
Fresno State Alumni Association and previously served on the board of 
the Metropolitan Museum of Art & Science.
  His service and accomplishments were recognized by California State 
University, Fresno in 2005 when he received the Top Dog Award as the 
outstanding alumnus of the College of Arts and Humanities. In 2007, he 
was awarded with the Jim Tucker Media Service Award which is presented 
by the Mass Communication and Journalism Department at California State 
University, Fresno.
  Throughout his career, Ray Steele has proven to be a highly effective 
leader who has always been committed to excellence in journalism. As he 
gets ready to spend more time with his wife Mary Lou, daughters and 
grandchildren, along with endeavors of interest to him, we thank him 
for his service and we wish him continued success and best of luck for 
the future.

                          ____________________