[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 85 (Thursday, June 7, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MR. FRANK EDWARD RAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2012

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor the life 
and legacy of San Joaquin Valley resident Mr. Frank Edward Ray. Mr. Ray 
will be remembered as a hero for the brave actions he took to rescue 
twenty-six young school children who fell victim to a school bus 
kidnapping plot while in his care.
  Frank Edward Ray, or Ed as he was known, was born in Le Grand, 
California on February 26, 1921. As a boy, his family relocated to 
Chowchilla, California. After graduating from Chowchilla Union High 
School in 1940, Mr. Ray married his wife, Odessa, in 1942. The couple 
purchased a ranch in Dairyland, California on which they farmed 
alfalfa, corn, and raised dairy cows. In the early 1950's, Mr. Ray went 
to work for Dairyland Union School District as a bus driver.
  While driving a busload of summer school students home in the summer 
of 1976, Mr. Ray's daily route quickly became anything but normal. As 
he drove the bus along a tree-lined avenue, he encountered a white van 
blocking the road. After Mr. Ray brought the bus to a stop to avoid a 
collision with the van, three armed men hijacked the school bus. The 
assailants forced Mr. Ray and the 26 school children off the bus into 
cramped vans and drove 100 miles to a rock quarry in Livermore, 
California.
  As part of an elaborate plot to obtain $5 million dollars in ransom, 
the kidnappers forced Mr. Ray and the children into a makeshift bunker 
made from a moving van buried in the ground. Before leaving the scene, 
the kidnappers covered the roof of the van with steel plates, 100 pound 
vehicle batteries, and dirt. Despite risk of further danger, Mr. Ray 
and several of the older children in the group used materials found in 
the van to dig their way out. After 16 hours of clearing debris, Mr. 
Ray was able to help all of the children escape from the underground 
van.
  Because of Mr. Ray's bravery, selflessness, and loving sense of 
responsibility for the children in his care, all 26 students escaped 
the kidnapping ordeal safely. He assisted in the apprehension of the 
kidnappers--all three of which are serving life sentences. His heroic 
actions and leadership in the face of uncertain danger established him 
as a hero in the Chowchilla community. In addition to local 
appreciation, his heroic efforts in the nationally renowned kidnapping 
became an example of excellence across America. Just two months after 
the crime, Mr. Ray resumed his route on the same bus. He retired from 
Alview-Dairyland Union School District in 1988, after 40 years of 
service.
  Mr. Ray passed away in May 2012 at the age of 91. In the days 
preceding his death, he was visited by many of the students he saved 35 
years ago. Mr. Ray is survived by his wife, Odessa, with whom he would 
have celebrated 70 years of marriage in June 2012. He is also survived 
by his two sons, Glen and Danny; his sister, Esther Danelli; three 
grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He will be missed by the 
close-knit community of Chowchilla.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in posthumously honoring Mr. Frank Edward 
Ray for his invaluable service to his community. His legacy will not 
soon be forgotten.

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