[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 127 (Monday, September 27, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1966-E1967]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              WILLIE MACK (1927-1999)--A LIFE WITH INTENT

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                        HON. WILLIAM (BILL) CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 27, 1999

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the death of and 
to celebrate the remarkable life of a personal friend and political 
ally, Willie Mack. For almost 40 years, ``Whisper'' as he was 
affectionately called, was by my side in the many struggles for 
political equity and a voice in the affairs of governance for the 
African-American community in St. Louis. In the early days, when I was 
leading the effort to build an effective political organization, Willie 
``Whisper'' Mack was prominently present. He was my right hand, my 
trusted confidant in every hard fought, exciting political campaign.
  Mr. Speaker, I met ``Whisper'' one year after my first election to 
the St. Louis Board of Aldermen in 1959. In 1960, I was campaign 
manager for Norman Seay who was seeking to be the Democratic 
committeeman in that

[[Page E1967]]

26th Ward. Seay had successfully run my campaign for Alderman the 
previous year. Seay's opponent had gone about the business of lining up 
the so-called corner boys, those who frequented the taverns, pool rooms 
and barber shops. One of his most effective recruits was Willie Mack. 
Mack owned a barber shop and had hundreds of hero worshipers who 
followed his lead. The story goes that the nickname was tagged on him 
when, as a young gang participant, he was thrown into a pool of cold 
water in the middle of the winter by an opposite gang faction. As a 
result, he temporarily lost his voice for several months
  But as those election returns bear out, speaking in subdued tones, 
``Whisper'' knew how to work a precinct. Seay's opponent won his 
precinct by a margin of 2 to 1 (only one of two precincts won by him).
  Much credit for ``Whisper'' political acumen goes to his wife, 
Jackie. They made the perfect political combination. He influenced the 
street people. She was loved by the home owners in the neighborhood.
  After the election--which Seay won by 600 votes--I sought out 
``Whisper'' and persuaded him to join our organization. From that day 
forward our friendship developed and expanded.
  Mr. Speaker, few people lived life with the enthusiasm, determination 
and gusto as Willie Mack. He lived every day with the intent to do 
something for someone else. He lived everyday with the intent to give 
something back to family, friends and community. He will be remembered 
as a giver. He gave the fullest to his fellow man. His intent was to 
establish, through political activism, a more perfect union between 
society and those citizens denied the benefits of first-class 
citizenship. The many people whose lives he touched and they in turn 
enhanced his--is a testament to his endearing respect for humanity.
  Carol and I were deeply saddened by Whisper's passing. He was indeed 
an uncommon man with a phenomenal affect on those who graced his 
presence. To us, Whisper was something dear, something special, 
something beautiful, something precious. There were no tears for Carol 
and me when we heard of his departure because we were not agonizing his 
death but rather celebrating the privilege of having looked upon this 
towering, incredible individual, if only for a fleeting moment.

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