John H. Ray

John Henry Ray (September 27, 1886 – May 21, 1975) was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from New York.

Ray was born in Mankato, Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1908 and Harvard Law School in 1911. He was an assistant to special representative of Secretary of War Newton D. Baker in 1919. He moved to Dongan Hills, New York in 1923. He worked with the American Telephone & Telegraph Company from 1923 until 1951. He was elected to Congress in 1952 and served from January 3, 1953 until January 3, 1963. He died in Staten Island.

Working for Baker took Ray to London & Paris and in 1920 he was presented with the Order of the Crown of Italy for his work with the Italian delegation. In 1937 appointed VP & general council of Western Electric and in 1942 promoted to VP and general council of American Telephone & Telegraph Company, a position he held until mandatory retirement in 1951. When in the House of Representatives was appointed to the Merchant Marine and Judiciary Committees. He sought to give tax breaks to firms purchasing anti-pollution equipment and the establishment of tax free pensions; Ray served as legal adviser to President Ford when the Michigan congressman was a member of the Warren Commission.

Sources

• United States Congress. "John H. Ray (id: R000077)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.