[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 88 (Monday, June 9, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E926-E927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF RAYMOND H. BOONE, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 9, 2014

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and legacy of Raymond H. Boone, Sr., who passed away on June 3, 2014. 
Ray devoted his entire life to fighting for justice and equality, 
becoming one of the most trusted voices in news in the Commonwealth of 
Virginia.
  Born in Suffolk, Virginia, Ray earned a bachelor's degree in 
journalism from Boston University and a master's degree in political 
science from Howard University. Ray's first foray into the newspaper 
business was as a reporter for the Quincy, Massachusetts Patriot-Ledger 
and later he worked for the Suffolk, Virginia News-Herald. He also 
worked as a reporter for the Norfolk, Virginia Journal and Guide. He 
eventually made his way to Richmond, where he became the editor of the 
Richmond Afro-American Planet, a position he held for 15 years.
  Ray temporarily left Richmond to be the editor and vice president of 
the Baltimore-based Afro-American Newspaper Group. He also served as a 
correspondent for the National Newspaper Association where he reported 
from Germany, Finland, the former Soviet Union, Israel and Cuba. And 
for nine years, he was an associate professor of journalism at Howard 
University in Washington, DC.
  In 1992, after returning to Richmond, Ray founded the Richmond Free 
Press, a progressive weekly newspaper that gave a voice to Richmond's 
voiceless. Under Ray's leadership as editor and publisher, the Free 
Press quickly emerged as an honored newspaper in the Richmond region. 
The Free Press has become a critical source of news and information for 
the Richmond community, often covering issues and stories left 
unnoticed by larger media organizations.
  For his reporting and writing, Ray received the Oliver W. Hill 
Freedom Fighter Award, the DaimlerChrysler Entrepreneurial Award, a 
first-place Virginia Press Association editorial writing award, the 
International Toastmasters' Leadership Award, and the A. Philip 
Randolph Messenger Award. The Free Press also won eight national awards 
for journalist excellence from the National Newspaper Publishers 
Association.
  Throughout his life and career, Ray received numerous other awards, 
including the Dominion Resources Strong Men and Women Excellence in 
Leadership Award, the Metropolitan Business League Entrepreneur of the 
Year Award, the National Conference for Community and Justice 
Humanitarian of the Year Award, and the United Negro College Fund Flame 
Bearer for Education Award. He was also honored by the Poynter 
Institute for Media Studies in St. Petersburg, Florida for his 
``outstanding teaching in journalism.''
  Ray will be missed, not only by family and friends, but also by the 
many people who enjoyed his analysis on the day's news. As a reporter, 
correspondent, editor, newspaper executive and publisher, Ray always 
had a unique perspective and a thoughtful approach to disseminating the 
news to the African-American community and the public at large. A 
fixture in the Virginia Press Corps for decades, Ray was recognized 
numerous times, not only for his contributions to the community and the 
media, but also for excellence with his craft. His legacy lives on in 
the award-winning and influential paper he leaves behind, the Richmond 
Free Press. His legacy can also be found in the thriving African-
American media landscape which blossomed as a result of his 
contributions and hard work.
  On a personal note, I will always cherish Ray's friendship. Ray was a 
newsman first and he never allowed our friendship to prevent him from 
covering me in an objective manner. I will always cherish our many 
interviews and editorial board meetings and I will miss talking 
politics and policy with him. Most importantly, I will miss his 
thoughtful approach to presenting the news. The Virginia Press Corps 
and the Commonwealth of Virginia have lost a powerful and unwavering 
voice.
  Mr. Speaker, Raymond H. Boone, Sr. will be sorely missed by his 
family and friends, and by the countless people he gave a voice to 
through his writing and reporting. My thoughts and prayers are with 
Ray's wife, Jean, their children, Regina and Raymond Jr., and the staff 
and many devoted readers of the Richmond Free Press.

[[Page E927]]



                          ____________________