Robert D. Ray

Robert Dolph Ray ( born September 26, 1928 in Des Moines, Iowa) is an American politician ( Republican). He was from 1969 to 1983 the 38th Governor of the state of Iowa.

Early years

Robert Ray served in the U.S. Army and graduated from Drake University law. Then he was hired as a legal consultant ( Law Clerk ) at the Senate of Iowa. He also worked as a lawyer in Des Moines.

Political Rise and Governor of Iowa

Between 1963 and 1967, Ray was chairman of the Republicans in Iowa. As a candidate of this party, he was elected in 1968 as the new governor of his state. Ray took up his new post on 16 January 1969 and kept it after several re- elections to the 14th January 1983. Such was the hitherto longest serving governor of Iowa. He was surpassed in this respect only by his successor in office, Terry Branstad, who served 1983-1999.

In Ray's reign, the state constitution was changed. The term of office of a governor was extended from two to four years. Ray even completed three two-year and two four -year terms. In 1975, the governor allowed the admission of 13,000 refugees Asian in Iowa. His many successful re- elections underscore his popularity as governor. From 1975 to 1976 he was chairman of the National Governors Association and member of various other associations governor. In 1979 he was a member of the American delegation at a UN refugee conference in Geneva. Ray was both head of the Education Commission of the U.S. states ( Education Commission of the States ) as well as President of the Council of Governments of the U.S. States (Council of State Governments ).

Further CV

After his governorship, he was appointed acting mayor of the city of Des Moines and Chief Executive of Drake University. He campaigned for the further expansion of education in Iowa and supported a number of initiatives in this area. With his wife, Billie Ray, he has three children.