Washington (February 6, 2022) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement on the passing of former State Representative Raymond A. Jordan, Jr. Senator Markey and State Rep. Jordan served together in the Massachusetts State House from 1974-1976.

“Ray Jordan was one of the central figures in the transformation of the Massachusetts state house, and he made sure equal opportunity and justice were central to state policymaking,” said Senator Markey. “He represented the next generation of Massachusetts politicians whose commitment to progress and reform resonates to this day. Ray Jordan spent his career making housing more affordable, jobs more equitable, and Western Massachusetts more livable. His strength of conviction and keen intelligence made him a mentor to countless elected leaders in the Pioneer Valley and beyond, with his living room serving as the launching pad for Western Massachusetts politics.

“Ray Jordan’s friendship, loyalty, and insights have been irreplaceable constants throughout my career. We used to play basketball together on Beacon Hill, and he had an indomitable presence on and off the court.  What I owe him cannot be measured, and what he has given me, his colleagues, and all of Massachusetts will never be forgotten. My deepest condolences go out to his wife, Donna, his two daughters, Denise and Darlene, his family, and all of those who called him friend and neighbor.”

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