[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 195 (Tuesday, December 11, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H10031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING RAY ROGERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Mississippi (Mr. Harper) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend, 
Representative Ray Rogers of Pearl, Mississippi.
  On November 17, 2018, Ray completed his 55th and final season of 
service as the Pearl High School Voice of the Pirates. For 55 years, 
Ray volunteered his time and energy as the public address announcer for 
the Pearl Pirate football games and was so committed that, in 55 years, 
he missed just one-half of one game in 55 seasons.
  Now, the reason Ray missed the first half of that game was so that he 
could attend his daughter's wedding rehearsal dinner. After listening 
to the game on the radio during much of the dinner, Ray left as soon as 
the dinner was ended so he could announce the second half of the game.
  Ray's commitment to the Pearl community was recognized several years 
ago when leaders of the Pearl Public School District decided to name 
the football stadium Ray Rogers Stadium.
  Ray was one of the first students to attend Pearl High School when it 
opened in 1948 and was the first quarterback for the first football 
team in 1949.
  Ray has been a public servant and leader for Pearl and Rankin County 
in many other ways. In 1983, he was elected to serve District 61 in the 
Mississippi House of Representatives and has been reelected every 4 
years since, most recently in 2015.
  Ray has spent 35 years in the State legislature working to improve 
our schools and infrastructure. As chairman of the Military Affairs 
Committee, he has been a tireless supporter of our National Guard and 
veterans and was instrumental in the effort to build three veterans 
homes in Mississippi with the help of then-Congressman Sonny 
Montgomery, who served the Third District of Mississippi.
  Ray has been a long-time member of the Management and PEER 
Committees--a testament to the respect and trust that his fellow 
legislators have for him. He has served as a mentor and role model for 
many incoming representatives over the years, and Ray's example has 
been invaluable to me. He has taught me by the way he lives, by what he 
does, and by how he treats everyone with respect.
  Ray Rogers has lived a life of service to others, and I know that he 
believes his most important service has been to God and his family. An 
active member of McLaurin Heights United Methodist Church in Pearl, 
Mississippi, Ray is the father of three daughters, four grandchildren, 
and two great-grandchildren. While he is proud to be known as the 
representative and the Voice of the Pearl Pirates, he is proudest to be 
known as Daddy and Pop.
  Ray's wife, Shirley, has shared his passion for serving others. 
Shirley served for two decades as the first city clerk for the city of 
Pearl and after that was a director of personnel for the Mississippi 
Department of Corrections. Like Ray, Shirley is an active member of 
their church, and she is a loving and supportive wife, mother, and 
grandmother.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate having the opportunity today to honor Ray 
Rogers--my State representative, the Voice of the Pirates, proud father 
and grandfather--and to congratulate him on his impressive record of 
public service.
  Thank you, Ray, for your friendship and for setting an incredible 
example for all to follow.

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