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“TRIBUTE TO BROADCAST PIONEER, RAY LIVESAY” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1087-E1088 on May 19, 1995.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO BROADCAST PIONEER, RAY LIVESAY
______
HON. GLENN POSHARD
of illinois
in the house of representatives
Thursday, May 18, 1995
Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to Mr. Ray Livesay of Mattoon, IL. Mr. Livesay passed away in his sleep this past Tuesday and it is with sorrow that I speak here today to honor this extraordinary man.
Ray Livesay was a modern pioneer of our airwaves. On the plains of central Illinois stands WLBH-AM and FM Radio which Ray built and watched grow into a public service that thousands of people depend on for their news and entertainment every day.
The first time I had the pleasure of meeting Ray was when I ran for my congressional seat. He asked if I could stop by his radio station and talk to him for awhile. I said I would be happy to, but it would be a few weeks before I would be in the area, with the exception of Christmas Day when I would be visiting my wife's family near Champaign. To my surprise, Christmas Day was fine with Ray. I stopped at the station at 9:30 thinking perhaps a half-hour interview was awaiting me. Two and one-half hours later, we both walked out of the station headed for Christmas dinner with our families.
I have been through many editorial board interviews in my public career, but none could match that 2\1/2\ hours with Ray. Every possible issue, in every part of the world, was covered. He was direct. He was honest. We agreed on much. We disagreed on some. but I never witnessed a greater thirst for exploring ideas, for grappling with tough problems than I did that Christmas Day from a man over 75 years old.
He knew I was a Democrat, and there was never any doubt that he was a Republican. But on that sunny morning, we found a lot of common ground. I left there with a great respect for Ray. Mainly because he did not pull any punches, he was what he was. And I think he knew that, I too, struggle to find answers, albeit sometimes falling far short, and he respected the effort. There has not been a month that has gone by in the last 3 years when he has not called or written me about some issue. That Christmas morning led to lots of discussions between Ray and I, but even more than that, to a friendship that I cherished.
The last time I saw him was at the ground-breaking a few weeks ago for the new business park on Route 16. We were leaving and we stood beside his car and talked for nearly 20 minutes. The conversation never left his dear wife, Leffel. He was concerned for her. Other issues could wait this day. She was the thing on his mind. He openly expressed to me the love for his wife and family and asked me to remember her in my prayers. I have.
I will miss him a great deal. I will never forget that Christmas morning over 3 years ago when our friendship began.
In 1950, Ray began a series of daily editorials that were soon to become a staple of life in central Illinois. His editorials were aired at 7:15 a.m. 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year. That is a total of well over 10,000 issues that Ray took the time to research and understand, before he formulated his well developed opinion. Early in his career some tried to influence the way Ray would view an issue; however, it did not take long for people to realize that Ray's ideas were his and could not be easily swayed.
Mr. Speaker, Ray Livesay knew that the people who listen to his radio station deserve to know as much as they possibly can about issues affecting their lives. He believed in the idea that in order for a democracy to thrive its people must be well-informed. His ability to elicit thought provoking responses from elected officials and construct his insightful daily commentaries will be truly missed.
Mr. Speaker, Ray's influence was not limited to central Illinois. He served as president of the Daytime Broadcasters Association for 28 years, testified before more than 30 congressional committees, advised the U.S. State Department on radio matters as the broadcast industry developed, and in 1989, he was recognized by his peers when he was awarded the National Radio Award at the National Association of Broadcasters' Radio Convention in New Orleans.
An example of Ray's ability to shape the future of radio is that he is the originator of the 9 kilohertz plan for AM broadcasting in North
[[Page E1088]] and South America. This intricate plan will allow for an 12 additional broadcast channels so that most daytime stations may become full time. Ray's basic broadcast plan became the U.S. Government's official position in 1979, and in 1980, he was asked to serve as an adviser at an International Radio Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Ray Livesay will always have a special place in the hearts of those who knew him. I will never forget our long hours of discussions, or his tireless efforts to help the people of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, Ray was a valued and trusted friend, and it is with great sadness that I offer my sincere condolences to his family.
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