James M. Talent: “United States Attorney Ray Gruender has had a distinguished career as a public servant and practicing attorney. He is an…”

“United States Attorney Ray Gruender has had a distinguished career as a public servant and practicing attorney. He is an outstanding and highly qualified candidate as evidenced by his professional and academic credentials. From humble beginnings, Mr. Gruender has risen to the top of the legal profession. Neither of his parents graduated from high school; his father painted houses; his mother worked in a factory as a bookbinder and is now a prison guard. He has worked since age 10 with his father and he continued to work all through school. Mr. Gruender obtained three degrees from Washington University in less than 6 years, all while working and paying his own way through school. By 1987, he had obtained Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctoris degrees. Not only did he work twenty hours per week during the 6 years in which he obtained these degrees, but he also ranked near the top of his class in each program. In law school, Mr. Gruender served on the Washington University Law Quarterly and is a member of The Order of the Coif. In December 2003, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri. Since May 1, 2001, Ray Gruender has served as the United States Attorney for the Easter District of Missouri.”