Ray Leger

Ray Leger
Member of the New Mexico Senate
from the 8th district
In office
1973–1980
Personal details
BornJanuary 6, 1925
Las Vegas, New Mexico, U.S.
DiedOctober 14, 2009 (aged 84)
Las Vegas, New Mexico, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Other political
affiliations		Republican (pre-1960s)
Children7, including Teresa
EducationNew Mexico Highlands University (BA, MEd)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Battles/warsWorld War II

Ray Leger (January 6, 1925 – October 14, 2009) was an American politician and educator who served as a member of the New Mexico Senate for the 8th district from 1973 to 1980.

Early life and education

Leger was born on January 6, 1925, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, the 11th of 14 children. After graduating from Las Vegas High School, Leger served in the United States Army during the end of World War II. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education from New Mexico Highlands University.[1]

Career

After earning his master's degree, Leger began working as an educator in Northern New Mexico. He later served as Superintendent of West Las Vegas Schools.[2] Through a partnership with the United States Department of State, Leger worked as an educational advisor to the Costa Rica Ministry of Public Education.

Initially a member of the Republican Party, Leger registered as a Democrat in the late-1960s. Leger was a delegate to the 1969 New Mexico Constitutional Convention. He served as a member of the New Mexico Senate for the 8th district from 1973 to 1980.[3] During his tenure, Leger focused on public education and health services legislation. As a state senator, he supported a bill that provided funding for Luna Community College. He also worked to support the Bilingual Education Act. After leaving the Senate, Leger worked as a lobbyist until his retirement in 2003.[4][5][6]

Personal life

Leger met his wife, Mela, while attending New Mexico Highlands University. The couple had seven children, including U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez. Leger died on October 14, 2009, in Las Vegas, New Mexico.[7]

Leger and his wife, Mela, are commemorated by a roadside plaque in Guadalupe County for their contributions to bilingual education.[8]

References

  1. ^ Kassel, Matthew (April 7, 2020). "Teresa Leger Fernandez takes on Valerie Plame in heated New Mexico race". Jewish Insider. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  2. ^ Ozarks-Four Corners Regional Development Commissions: Hearings Before a Special Subcommittee on Economic Development of the Committee on Public Works, United States Senate, Ninetieth Congress, First Session, Oklahoma City, Okla,. August 16, 1967 -- Albuquerque, N. Mex., August 17, 1967 -- Espanola, N. Mex., August 18, 1967 -- Taos, N. Mex., August 18, 1967 -- Las Vegas, N. Mex., August 19, 1967. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1967.
  3. ^ District 63 Map
  4. ^ Ray Leger Obituary
  5. ^ "New Mexico SM41 | 2016 | Regular Session". LegiScan. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  6. ^ Pike, David (August 1, 2015). Roadside New Mexico: A Guide to Historic Markers, Revised and Expanded Edition. UNM Press. ISBN 978-0-8263-5570-6.
  7. ^ "Mela Leger Obituary". obits.abqjournal.com. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  8. ^ "Democratic nominee in CD3 inspired by state senator father". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved June 9, 2020.