[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 17, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING MR. WILLIE THOMAS GRAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRADLEY BYRNE

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 17, 2015

  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great community 
leader, Mr. Willie Thomas Gray.
   Mr. Gray is a native of the Citronelle area in north Mobile County, 
where he graduated from Citronelle High School. He is the owner and 
publisher of two weekly newspapers in the area: The Call News and the 
Washington County News. Under his leadership, the papers have 
consistently received various press association awards. He is also an 
active member of the Alabama Press Association and the National 
Newspaper Association.
   After his local chamber of commerce went inactive a number of years 
ago, Willie Gray stepped up to the plate. He arranged meetings of local 
business, civic, church, and education leaders to promote the 
continuation of civic involvement and formed the Citronelle Business 
Association. Today, Mr. Gray remains active in economic development 
efforts in the community. His work has included the execution of a 
professional study, including following-up on the results and planning 
for development based on its findings.
   Mr. Gray has also taken an active role in the betterment of the 
north Mobile County schools. As a foremost advocate for education, he 
worked with the Mobile County Public School System to move ahead with 
construction of a new Citronelle High School and Calcedeaver Elementary 
School and an extensive renovation of historic Rosa A. Lott Middle 
School. The renovations and new constructions were critical, as some of 
the buildings were over 100 years old.
   Mr. Speaker, we need more people like Willie Gray in our nation. His 
commitment to the local schools, businesses, and civic organizations 
serves as a bright example of community involvement. I look forward to 
a continued partnership with Mr. Gray as we work towards the common 
goal of making Southwest Alabama a better place to live, work, and 
raise a family.

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