[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 92 (Tuesday, June 5, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E767-E768]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN HONOR OF FORMER GEORGIA REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT F. RAY

                                  _____
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 5, 2018

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and 
solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable 
statesman, farmer, and public servant, former Representative in the 
Georgia General Assembly Mr. Robert F. Ray. Sadly, Representative Ray 
passed away on Tuesday, May 29, 2018. His passing marks the close of a 
long and prolific life, and his departure leaves a void in the hearts 
of many Georgians, A memorial service for Representative Ray was held 
on Friday, June 1, 2018, at First Baptist Church in Fort Valley, 
Georgia.

[[Page E768]]

  Robert Franklin Ray was born in Crawford County, Georgia to the union 
of William McCrary Ray and Thelma Crutchfield Ray on their family-owned 
farm. Robert's passion for farming and agriculture began during his 
childhood, as he helped his family plant and harvest crops on their 
farm, which is now a pecan orchard.
  Robert's passion for farming and agriculture motivated him to build 
an impressive career which began at the age of 19 when he was elected 
President of the Crawford County Farm Bureau. By age 22, he had served 
as a member of the Crawford County Board of Commissioners before going 
on to serve two terms on the Crawford County Board of Education. He 
also served as the Assistant Commissioner for Marketing for the Georgia 
Department of Agriculture and the Manager of the State Farmers Market 
in Macon, Georgia. In 1982, Robert was elected to the Georgia General 
Assembly, where he served 12 terms and represented Crawford County and 
portions of Bibb, Houston, Lamar, Monroe, Peach, and Upson counties.
  During his 24 year tenure, Representative Ray served as a member on 
the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Appropriations, Industry and 
Rules, House Journals, and Small Business Committees as well as the 
Chairman of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. 
Representative Ray made agriculture his first priority as he worked 
diligently to ensure that the interests of farmers were supported and 
protected and led the charge to give poultry farmers rights in contract 
negotiations. His legacy also includes spearheading legislation and 
funding to support education and economic development, which was 
instrumental in the establishment of Georgia's system of tourism routes 
and the creation of toll-free calling zones in the Middle Georgia area.
  In addition to his political career, Robert was actively involved in 
the communities that he served. He presided on a variety of boards, 
served in a number of organizations at the local and state levels, and 
received numerous awards and commendations.
  Robert accomplished much throughout his life, but none of this would 
have been possible without his enduring faith in God and the love and 
support of his wife, Jennifer; his children, Lisa, Robin, Bob, and 
Adam; and his siblings and grandchildren.
  On a personal note, Representative Ray and I served in the State 
House together and I was blessed with his friendship, counsel, and 
support over the years. Representative Ray was a great representative 
for Middle Georgia and a stellar example of how a public servant should 
serve his constituents.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, along with my wife, 
Vivian, and the more than 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second 
Congressional District in paying tribute to former Representative 
Robert F. Ray for his remarkable leadership in our great State of 
Georgia. He shall be remembered as an outstanding statesman, a champion 
of education, and an advocate for hard-working farmers. We extend our 
deepest sympathies to his family, friends and, loved ones during this 
difficult time and we pray that they will be comforted by an abiding 
faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

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