[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 161 (Friday, October 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF RAYMOND F. ENSHER

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                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 11, 2019

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Mr. Raymond 
``Ray'' Ensher, who passed away on Friday, September 27, 2019 at the 
age of 85. Ray will be remembered for his dedicated service to the 
community of Fresno, California.
  Ray was born on September 26, 1934 in Fresno. He graduated from 
California State University, Fresno in 1956, earning his degree in 
Theatre Arts. After college, he began working as a high school drama 
teacher at the North Folk School District that was recently named the 
Chawanakee Joint School District for 28 years. Ray had a passion for 
the theatre and enjoyed being a part of the local arts community and 
film festivals.
  Ray was a gifted educator and won two awards for his dedication to 
teaching. He was awarded the Ron Ely Award for Communications and the 
Mickey Matheson Award for Advocacy from the California Retired Teachers 
Association. He established the Raymond Ensher Creative Achievement 
Theatre Arts Award, an endowed scholarship awarded to one theater arts 
student a year at his alma mater.
  Ray was known in the community for his tireless efforts for social 
justice and his active memberships in numerous civic groups. He was 
chair of the Kennedy Club of the San Joaquin Valley, and recipient of 
the Fresno County Democratic Party's Democrat of the Year award in 
2012. He was a member of the Fresno County Democratic Women's Club, 
serving as diversity chair and past president. He would passionately 
write to the Fresno Bee and the Community Alliance newspapers on his 
typewriter. His generosity with his time and resources was known 
through the Central Valley.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life 
and achievements of my friend, Ray Ensher. He was a respected member in 
the community and had a passion for the people of the Central Valley.

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