[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 10 (Thursday, January 18, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E54-E55]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE WALTER L. COHEN HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM NAMING CEREMONY 
                   IN HONOR OF JAMES ``JIM'' H. RABY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 18, 2024

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate Mr. 
James ``Jim'' Raby, who has devoted his life to serving his community, 
and to celebrate Walter L. Cohen High School, for their choice to honor 
him with the dedication of the Gymnasium Naming Ceremony. Mr. Raby, 
though born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was raised from the age of 9 
months in my home, New Orleans, Louisiana. Mr. Raby attended New 
Orleans public schools, James Weldon Elementary School, and Walter L. 
Cohen Senior High School. Jim and his high school sweetheart, Nola, 
were part of the third graduating class of Walter L. Cohen High School 
in 1955 and have been married for 63 years.
  Upon graduating from Walter L. Cohen High School, Mr. Raby 
matriculated at Southern University in Baton Rouge, where he earned a 
BS in Mathematics. Jim went on to earn a master's in education, and a 
certification in Adult Education. During his time at Southern, he 
became involved in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Program 
and, after graduating in 1959, received a Commission as an Army Second 
Lieutenant. In September of 1963, after serving 4 years on active 
military duty, during which he was often the only African American 
commissioned officer, Mr. Raby was honorably discharged with the rank 
of Captain.
  After his discharge from the military, Jim began worked at the Philip 
Morris Tobacco company, a company for which he was the only African 
American sales representative in Louisiana. In November 1967, he 
resigned from his position at Philip Morris Tobacco company, and became 
the first African American to serve as a Field Underwriter for New York 
Life Insurance Company in the New Orleans General Office.
  Once he retired from this position in 1994, Mr. Raby began working 
for the Orleans Parish School Board as the Program Coordinator for 
Project Independence. In August 2009, Jim was elected President of the 
Board of Directors of the Walter L. Cohen Alumni Association, through 
which he spearheaded efforts to rebuild Walter L. Cohen High School on 
its original site.
  Mr. Raby's dedication to the different communities of which he is a 
part is evident throughout his story. He has not only contributed 
immensely to his Alma Mater, Walter L. Cohen High School, but also to 
our state, and to our nation. I commend Walter L. Cohen High School for 
dedicating the Gymnasium Naming Ceremony in honor of Mr. Jim Raby, and 
I am proud to acknowledge Mr. Raby for his dedication to serving 
others, both locally and beyond.

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