[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 37 (Friday, February 26, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF RUSSELL GRAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 26, 2021

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of a 
humble, loyal, and dedicated public servant, Russell Mason Gray of 
Sterling, Connecticut, who passed unexpectedly, at age 76, on January 
12, 2021.
  A resident and the First Selectman of the town of Sterling, 
Connecticut for 16 years, Russell prioritized the wellbeing of Sterling 
and its citizens above all else. Before being called to public service, 
Russell and his wife Sue dedicated themselves to their family dairy 
farm, and Russell, at his core was a farmer, with strong ties to his 
land. These ties created a natural transition to his election as First 
Selectman in 2005.
  Russell's steadfast leadership helped Sterling, a small community of 
less than 4,000 people, navigate the challenges of being a rural 
municipality. From building four new bridges in town and constantly 
inspecting roads--to facilitating the construction of the new Sterling 
Community School and moving the town offices and Library to the former 
Sterling Memorial School in Oneco--Russell was proactive in securing an 
efficient but accessible municipal infrastructure for the town of 
Sterling. Alongside his commitment to Sterling, Russell was Chairman of 
the Windham County Soil and Water Conservation District, President of 
the Windham County Farm Bureau, Advisor to Killingly High School Vo-Ag, 
Director of Patrons Mutual Insurance Company, President of the CT State 
Grange, County and Ekonk Community Granges, and Chairman of the 
Northeast Council of Governments. These commitments reflect only a 
portion of Russell's legacy and display not only Russell's dedication 
to Sterling but to all the towns in Windham County.
  Russell's love for his town and the people in his community is known 
to all he encountered. His fellow selectman Lincoln Cooper once said, 
``He was stubborn and loyal--he loved this town. He was a self-made man 
whose stubbornness led him to make good decisions for Sterling.'' His 
former administrative assistant, Joyce Gustavson, emphasized that for 
Russell--``it was family first, then Sterling.'' Everyone who worked 
close with Russell saw the passion in his daily work at the town hall 
and his willingness to go above and beyond for every resident. Losing 
Russell leaves a deep void in eastern Connecticut.
  Madam Speaker, knowing of Russell's devotion to the people of eastern 
Connecticut and Sterling and how diligently he served until his last 
breath, I can attest that his career represents the best of public 
service. I hope the chamber will join me in expressing the deepest 
condolences on behalf of the House of Representatives to the Gray 
family--his wife Sue; His children Rebecca, Mason, Deborah: and his 
grandchildren and great grandchildren. I hope this testament to 
Russell's life serves as an acknowledgement of the immeasurable debt of 
gratitude owed to him by the American people.

                          ____________________