HR1234 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1234 LRB098 22045 MST 60913 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of former United States Representative Kenneth J. Gray, who passed away on July 12, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Representative Gray was born on November 14, 1924 in West Frankfort to Thomas and Anna (Reed) Gray; he graduated from Frankfort High School, and served in the United States Air Force during World War II; he married Gwendolyn June Gray and she preceded him in passing; he later married Margaret "Toedy" Holley-Gray; and

WHEREAS, Representative Gray was first elected to Congress in 1954 and served 10 terms, retiring in 1974; he returned to Congress in 1984 and served 2 additional terms; he was known for bringing federal projects to his depressed district, including a federal prison, an interstate highway, post offices, and hospitals; he helped write the Interstate Highway Act that President Eisenhower signed in 1956, and, in 2008, a portion of Interstate 57 in Southern Illinois was named the "Ken Gray Expressway"; Gray brought 7 presidents to Southern Illinois; he earned the nickname the "Prince of Pork" for bringing $7 billion in projects to his district; and

WHEREAS, Representative Gray attended the Christian Worship Center in West Frankfort; and

WHEREAS, Representative Gray was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Gwendolyn June Gray; a son, James K. Gray; daughter, Marble Joiner; two brothers, Ralph and Paul Gray; and a son-in-law, Bill Clay; and

WHEREAS, Representative Gray is survived by his wife, Margaret "Toedy" Holley-Gray; daughters, Diann (Mike) Jasinski, Becky Gray Clay, and Candy McKeithen; grandchildren, Linsey Karroll, Lulu Lehmann, Max Gray, Lauren (Markus) Herrmann, Jamie (Elizabeth) Hall, Allison Hall, Joy Jasinski, Major McKeithen, Josh (Amber) Joiner, and Holley (Kyle) Hosick; great-grandchildren, Joshua Hall, Wesley Joiner, and Lyric Hosick; son-in-law, Jerry Joiner; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of former United States Representative Kenneth J. Gray, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Representative Gray as an expression of our deepest sympathy.