Representative Raymond Joseph McGrath

Raymond Joseph (Ray) McGrath (born March 27, 1942) is an American educator and politician who served six terms as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1981 to 1993. A member of the Republican Party from New York, he represented his constituents in Congress during a significant period in American history, contributing to the legislative process over the course of his twelve years in federal office.

McGrath was born in Valley Stream, New York, on March 27, 1942. Raised on Long Island, he attended local schools before pursuing higher education in the State University of New York system. His early life in Valley Stream and the surrounding communities would later inform his understanding of suburban issues, local governance, and public services, themes that would recur throughout his political career.

He graduated from the State University of New York at Brockport in 1963. Continuing his education while beginning his professional life, McGrath earned a Master of Arts degree from New York University in 1968. Trained as an educator, he taught biology, reflecting an early commitment to public service through teaching and to the advancement of science and education. His experience in the classroom provided him with firsthand insight into public education, a perspective that he carried into his later legislative work.

Alongside his work as an educator, McGrath entered public administration at the local level. From 1965 to 1971, he served as Commissioner of the Hempstead Parks and Recreation Bureau in Hempstead, New York. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing recreational facilities and programs in one of the largest towns in the United States, gaining experience in municipal management, budgeting, and community services. His tenure as commissioner helped establish his reputation in local government and laid the groundwork for his subsequent entry into elective office.

McGrath advanced to state-level politics as a member of the New York State Assembly, where he served from 1977 to 1980. During this period, he sat in the 182nd and 183rd New York State Legislatures. As an assemblyman, he represented his district in Albany, participating in the development of state laws and policies affecting education, local government, and the economy. His legislative service in the Assembly provided him with deeper experience in lawmaking and party leadership, and it positioned him for a successful campaign for Congress.

In 1980, McGrath was elected as a Republican to the 97th United States Congress and subsequently won re-election to the 98th, 99th, 100th, 101st, and 102nd Congresses. He held office in the U.S. House of Representatives from January 3, 1981, to January 3, 1993. During his six terms in Congress, he represented a New York district during an era marked by significant national and international developments, including the Reagan and George H. W. Bush administrations, the end of the Cold War, and major debates over domestic economic and social policy. As a member of the House of Representatives, Raymond Joseph McGrath participated in the democratic process, contributed to the legislative work of the chamber, and represented the interests of his constituents in New York.

After leaving Congress in 1993, McGrath transitioned to leadership roles in the private sector and in industry advocacy. He became president of the Beer Institute, a national trade association representing brewers and beer importers, where he worked on issues related to federal regulation, taxation, and public policy affecting the brewing industry. Building on his experience in government relations, he later became president of the Downey McGrath Group Inc., a Washington, D.C.–based government affairs and lobbying firm. In this capacity, he has continued to be active in public policy, advising clients on legislative and regulatory matters and drawing on his extensive background in both state and federal government.