[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 170 (Tuesday, November 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              JOHN L. RAY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 17, 2009

  Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor John L. Ray, in 
celebration of the 100 years since the Charleston Public Library opened 
in 1909.
  John V. Ray Sr., a library patron, held the position as president of 
the library board for more than 30 years, where he helped write the 
Kanawha County Public Library Act that would see its way through the 
West Virginia Legislature. This guaranteed that libraries would be 
granted a share of the property taxes which came to the Kanawha County 
Board of Education, the Kanawha County Commission and the city of 
Charleston. It was a key piece of legislation that kept a stream of 
funding for libraries.
  His son, John L. Ray followed in family tradition when he took over 
as Kanawha County Public Library board president in 1988. An avid 
library supporter himself, John had a vision for the county and what 
purpose libraries would serve. His plan brought new buildings to Cross 
Lanes, Sissonville, a combined public/school library at Riverside High, 
and a designed replacement for the downtown Charleston library.
  An institution that serves all people, libraries remain a beacon for 
communities because of the more than twenty years John has spent as 
board president. He led the rapid development as card catalogs were 
replaced by electronic catalogs. He came up with a long-range plan that 
would bring new buildings to the county to ensure that libraries could 
continue to serve their public function.
  It is an honor to recognize John L. Ray. With his hard work and 
leadership, we are able to celebrate 100 years since the opening of the 
Charleston Public Library. It says great things about West Virginia to 
have people like you represent our great state.

                          ____________________