[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 23, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H3557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CELEBRATING RAY DOERR'S LEGACY

  (Mr. Bost of Illinois was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a very important person 
in my life, who is actually a distant cousin. His mother was actually a 
Bost, a cousin of my grandfather. His name was Ray Doerr. He is from 
Vergennes, Illinois. He passed away on July 12 at the age of 98.
  Ray gave back to his community in big ways and small. He served as a 
trustee in Vergennes for 67 years and as mayor for 10 years. He was the 
chairman of the Republican Party of Jackson County for 24 years.
  He was a friend to Governors and Senators, but he never let politics 
change who he was. He stayed grounded. He stayed loyal to his roots.
  Mr. Speaker, I will say, personally, I stand here today because of 
Ray. He was one of the first people who encouraged me to get into 
public service. He saw something in me early on and never stopped 
offering his advice. When I say ``early on,'' I was 23 years old when 
he encouraged me to get involved in local politics. I will always value 
our friendship.
  Ray was a proud Navy veteran who answered the call to serve our 
country during World War II. He enlisted at just 17 years of age, 
serving in the South Pacific, including during the invasion of Okinawa.
  When he came home, he married his wife, Ime, and began a life rooted 
in faith, hard work, and service to others.
  He worked in the mines. He delivered gas to farmers. He was a sales 
manager for Massey Ferguson. He farmed. He served as an auditor for the 
Illinois Secretary of State, and he was an auctioneer for 80 years. He 
was one of the hardest working men I have ever known.
  He and Ime were married 68 years at the time of her passing in 2012. 
Together, they raised a son, Jeffrey. Jeff built a family business and 
shaped a community.
  Ray's legacy is not just titles he held, but the lives he touched. He 
was a mentor, a friend, and a man of his word. He loved southern 
Illinois and served it every day of his life. We are all better for 
having known him.
  May God bless Ray Doerr and may He bring comfort to his family and 
all his loved ones.

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