John H. Ray
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(August 2022) |
John H. Ray | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's15thdistrict | |
| In office January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1963 | |
| Preceded by | James J. Murphy(redistricting) |
| Succeeded by | John M. Murphy(redistricting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Henry Ray September 27, 1886 Mankato, Minnesota,U.S. |
| Died | May 21, 1975(aged 88) Staten Island,New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | |
John Henry Ray(September 27, 1886 – May 21, 1975) was an American lawyer, business executive, and politician who served as aU.S. RepresentativefromNew Yorkas a member of theRepublican Party.He served five terms in Congress representing the state's15th district,which at the time encompassed parts ofStaten IslandandBrooklyn.[1]
Biography
[edit]Early life
[edit]Ray was born inMankato, Minnesota.After graduating from theUniversity of Minnesotain 1908 andHarvard Law Schoolin 1911, Ray practiced law and was an assistant trust officer for the Wells–Dickey Trust Company inMinneapolis.
He joined theU.S. ArmyduringWorld War I,serving first as afirst lieutenantin theJudge Advocate General's Corps,and then an assistant to the special representative of Secretary of WarNewton D. Bakerduring post-war armistice discussions withAlliedgovernments. In 1920, he was presented with theOrder of the Crown of Italyfor his work with the Italian government.[citation needed]
Professional career
[edit]Ray moved to theNew York Cityneighborhood ofDongan Hillsin 1923[citation needed]and continued to practice law. In 1937, he became vice president and general counsel forWestern Electric,and in 1942, he was promoted to vice president and general counsel ofAT&T,a position he held until retiring in 1951.[citation needed]
Political career
[edit]Representing New York, Ray was first elected toCongressin 1952 at the age of 66. He was reelected four times and served from January 3, 1953 until January 3, 1963 (the83rd,84th,85th,86th,and87thCongresses). Ray voted in favor of theCivil Rights Act of 1960,[2]but voted against theCivil Rights Act of 1957and the24th Amendment to the Constitution.[3][4]While in the House, his committee assignments included being appointed to theMerchant MarineandJudiciaryCommittees. He sought the establishment of tax-freepensions,and to give tax breaks to firms purchasing anti-pollution equipment. In addition, Ray served as legal advisor to then-CongressmanGerald Fordwhen Ford was a member of theWarren Commission.
Following the results of the1960 Census,Representative Ray wasredistrictedinto the new16th district.He chose to retire rather than seek reelection in the new constituency in 1962; that year, his seat was won byDemocratJohn Murphy.
Later life
[edit]In retirement, Ray continued to live in Staten Island, where he died on May 21, 1975. He was cremated.
References
[edit]- ^"Ex‐Rep. John H. Ray, 88, Dies; A. T. & T. Aide Served 5 Terms".The New York Times.23 May 1975.Retrieved11 August2022.
- ^"HR 8601. PASSAGE".
- ^"HR 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957".GovTrack.us.
- ^"S.J. RES. 29. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BAN THE USE OF POLL TAX AS A REQUIREMENT FOR VOTING IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS".GovTrack.us.
- United States Congress."John H. Ray (id: R000077)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
- 1886 births
- 1975 deaths
- New York (state) lawyers
- University of Minnesota alumni
- Harvard Law School alumni
- Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from New York (state)
- United States Army personnel of World War I
- 20th-century American legislators
- 20th-century American lawyers
- 20th-century New York (state) politicians