Richard Belmont Ray (1927-1999) was born on February 2, 1927 in Fort Valley, Georgia. He graduated from high school in 1944 and went into the United States Navy during World War II, serving until 1946. After his service, he worked as a farmer and businessman before entering Democratic politics. He served as mayor of Perry, Georgia from 1964-1970, during the same time that Sam Nunn was the city attorney. When Nunn was elected to the United States Senate in 1972, he took Ray along as his administrative assistant. Ray worked in this position for ten years, and was elected to represent Georgia's 3rd Congressional District in 1982. Ray was known as a conservative, pro-life Democrat who advocated for veterans and military bases. He was also one of Georgia's wealthiest representatives at the time. After losing his seat to Republican Mac Collins in 1992, Ray started a consulting firm in Alexandria, Virginia. He died in 1999 in Macon, Georgia due to complications during emergency heart valve-replacement surgery.

Interviewed by Mel Steely on July 6, 1989.

The interview begins with a discussion on Richard Ray's childhood. He talks about his religious background, as well as his years in school. He talks about how World War II affected his time at high school, and his decision to join the Navy. Ray answers questions about his young adulthood, his wife, and their struggles to establish themselves. He discusses being a business man in the 1950s and his struggles with the pest control businesses. Ray talks about serving during the time of integration and Civil Rights, and how he handled issues surrounding the black and white people of his community resisted the change. The next part of the interview focuses on Jimmy Carter and Ray's relationship with him as well as other Georgia governors. Dr. Steely also asks Ray several questions over the course of the interview about Sam Nunn. The third portion of the interview continues with a discussion on Jimmy Carter. Ray also shows his care for his staff, saying that whenever he would receive a letter of thanks from his constituents, he would make sure to forward it to whomever on his staff was involved with that particular issue. They conclude the interview by discussing the politicians that Ray considered did the best job as well as those who may have been good politicians but made some poor decisions.