J. Frank Raley
Encyclopedia
J. Frank Raley, Jr. is a former Democrat
State Senator
from Maryland
, United States.
and grew up in a family of politicians to include his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He grew up during the Great Depression
, and learned about politics through his family at a young age.
and received his B.A. from Georgetown University
.
Raley chaired the Public Buildings Committee the entire time he served in the senate. He is also a former member of the Maryland Economic Development Commission and former president of the Lexington Park, Maryland
Chamber of Commerce
. Other positions held by Raley include: Member, Planning and Zoning Commission, 1967–78; Member-at-large, Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, 1967–88. Member, Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission, 1985–90.
After losing re-election to the senate, Raley became a delegate to the 1967 Constitutional Convention of Maryland.
. In 1966, faced with the dilemma to move the former finishing school in another direction, Raley helped turn the college into a four-year liberal arts institution. Raley served on the Board of Trustees for the college from 1967 to 1991 and has counseled every president of the college since then.
For his dedication to the college, Raley was recently awarded the college's highest honor, the Order of the Ark and Dove. In addition to the award, the college's dining hall in the campus center was officially named the Raley Great Room. An oil portrait hangs on the wall of the great room to honor the trustee emeritus.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
State Senator
State Senator
A state senator is a member of a state's Senate, the upper house in the bicameral legislature of 49 U.S. states, or a legislator in Nebraska's one house State Legislature.There are typically fewer state senators than there are members of a state's lower house...
from Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, United States.
Background
Raley is from Saint Mary's County, MarylandMaryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
and grew up in a family of politicians to include his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He grew up during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, and learned about politics through his family at a young age.
Education
Raley attended Charlotte Hall Military AcademyCharlotte Hall Military Academy
Charlotte Hall Military Academy, located at Charlotte Hall, Maryland, was established as Charlotte Hall School in 1774 by Queen Charlotte to provide for the liberal and pious education of youth to better fit them for the discharge of their duties for the United States...
and received his B.A. from Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
.
Career
As a state senator, Raley is largely credited with providing most of the infrastructure that was required to develop St. Mary's County. According to Raley, over 100 pieces of legislation were needed to bring the schools, roads, and bridges needed to meet the growing population.Raley chaired the Public Buildings Committee the entire time he served in the senate. He is also a former member of the Maryland Economic Development Commission and former president of the Lexington Park, Maryland
Lexington Park, Maryland
Lexington Park is a census-designated place in St. Mary's County, Maryland, United States, and the principal community of the Lexington Park, Maryland Micropolitan Statistical Area...
Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
. Other positions held by Raley include: Member, Planning and Zoning Commission, 1967–78; Member-at-large, Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, 1967–88. Member, Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission, 1985–90.
After losing re-election to the senate, Raley became a delegate to the 1967 Constitutional Convention of Maryland.
St. Mary's College of Maryland
Since his time as a senator, Raley has been a long time supporter of Maryland's only honors college, St. Mary's College of MarylandSt. Mary's College of Maryland
St. Mary's College of Maryland, established in 1840, is a public, secular liberal arts college located in St. Mary's City, Maryland. It is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges and designated as a Public Honors College . St. Mary's College is a small college, with about 2,000...
. In 1966, faced with the dilemma to move the former finishing school in another direction, Raley helped turn the college into a four-year liberal arts institution. Raley served on the Board of Trustees for the college from 1967 to 1991 and has counseled every president of the college since then.
For his dedication to the college, Raley was recently awarded the college's highest honor, the Order of the Ark and Dove. In addition to the award, the college's dining hall in the campus center was officially named the Raley Great Room. An oil portrait hangs on the wall of the great room to honor the trustee emeritus.