HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF RAYMOND H. BOONE, SR

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Raymond H. Boone, Sr., who passed away on June 3, 2014. Ray devoted his entire life to fighting for justice and equality, becoming one of the most trusted voices in news in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Born in Suffolk, Virginia, Ray earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Boston University and a master's degree in political science from Howard University. Ray's first foray into the newspaper business was as a reporter for the Quincy, Massachusetts Patriot-Ledger and later he worked for the Suffolk, Virginia News-Herald. He also worked as a reporter for the Norfolk, Virginia Journal and Guide. He eventually made his way to Richmond, where he became the editor of the Richmond Afro-American Planet, a position he held for 15 years.

Ray temporarily left Richmond to be the editor and vice president of the Baltimore-based Afro-American Newspaper Group. He also served as a correspondent for the National Newspaper Association where he reported from Germany, Finland, the former Soviet Union, Israel and Cuba. And for nine years, he was an associate professor of journalism at Howard University in Washington, DC.

In 1992, after returning to Richmond, Ray founded the Richmond Free Press, a progressive weekly newspaper that gave a voice to Richmond's voiceless. Under Ray's leadership as editor and publisher, the Free Press quickly emerged as an honored newspaper in the Richmond region. The Free Press has become a critical source of news and information for the Richmond community, often covering issues and stories left unnoticed by larger media organizations.

For his reporting and writing, Ray received the Oliver W. Hill Freedom Fighter Award, the DaimlerChrysler Entrepreneurial Award, a first-place Virginia Press Association editorial writing award, the International Toastmasters' Leadership Award, and the A. Philip Randolph Messenger Award. The Free Press also won eight national awards for journalist excellence from the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

Throughout his life and career, Ray received numerous other awards, including the Dominion Resources Strong Men and Women Excellence in Leadership Award, the Metropolitan Business League Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the National Conference for Community and Justice Humanitarian of the Year Award, and the United Negro College Fund Flame Bearer for Education Award. He was also honored by the Poynter Institute for Media Studies in St. Petersburg, Florida for his ``outstanding teaching in journalism.''

Ray will be missed, not only by family and friends, but also by the many people who enjoyed his analysis on the day's news. As a reporter, correspondent, editor, newspaper executive and publisher, Ray always had a unique perspective and a thoughtful approach to disseminating the news to the African-American community and the public at large. A fixture in the Virginia Press Corps for decades, Ray was recognized numerous times, not only for his contributions to the community and the media, but also for excellence with his craft. His legacy lives on in the award-winning and influential paper he leaves behind, the Richmond Free Press. His legacy can also be found in the thriving African-American media landscape which blossomed as a result of his contributions and hard work.

On a personal note, I will always cherish Ray's friendship. Ray was a newsman first and he never allowed our friendship to prevent him from covering me in an objective manner. I will always cherish our many interviews and editorial board meetings and I will miss talking politics and policy with him. Most importantly, I will miss his thoughtful approach to presenting the news. The Virginia Press Corps and the Commonwealth of Virginia have lost a powerful and unwavering voice.

Mr. Speaker, Raymond H. Boone, Sr. will be sorely missed by his family and friends, and by the countless people he gave a voice to through his writing and reporting. My thoughts and prayers are with Ray's wife, Jean, their children, Regina and Raymond Jr., and the staff and many devoted readers of the Richmond Free Press.