[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 110 (Tuesday, July 15, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF U.S. CONGRESSMAN KEN GRAY, A TRUE 
                FRIEND AND CHAMPION OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. WILLIAM L. ENYART

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 15, 2014

  Mr. ENYART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of a 
great Southern Illinoisan, a man who knew this Chamber very well, U.S. 
Congressman Ken Gray.
  Born and raised in Southern Illinois, Ken returned there after 
retiring from Congress. It is in Southern Illinois where he passed away 
this past Saturday and it is there, in his native West Frankfort, where 
he will be laid to rest. This is worth noting as we remember 
Congressman Ken Gray as one of the most persistent and productive 
advocates for his home district that ever served in this Chamber.
  An entrepreneur from a young age, Ken answered the call to serve his 
country when he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War 
II. His military service would take him to North Africa and Italy, 
southern France and central Europe, and would result in several 
decorations, including three bronze stars.
  Returning to Southern Illinois after the war, Ken first won election 
from the 25th Congressional District of Illinois in 1954. He continued 
to serve for a total of 10 successive terms before his first retirement 
in 1974. He ran again for Congress in 1984, won that election, and 
served another two terms before his final retirement in 1989.
  Ken's ability to fight for our region is unparalleled. His 
accomplishments are legendary, from building our interstate highways, 
building Rend Lake and the Marion Federal Prison to countless post 
offices, roads, bridges and water lines. A proud veteran himself, Ken 
was a tireless advocate for our region's veterans and hundreds received 
care because of his efforts. Serving an area with many coal mines, Ken 
also saw that miners and their families received the black lung 
benefits they were due.
  Whether convincing President Carter to tour an underground coal mine, 
or escorting President Kennedy to Carbondale and Marion--Congressman 
Gray was a one-of-a-kind advocate for Southern Illinois.
  He loved serving in this House, and few Members spent as much time 
presiding in the Speaker's chair during his tenure. Like thousands of 
people in our region, I counted Ken among my friends. We'll always 
remember him as a character whose personality was as colorful as the 
suits he wore here to the Capitol each day.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Congressman 
Ken Gray and extending our condolences and prayers to his family.

                          ____________________