[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 141 (Tuesday, October 31, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE WILLIAM L. CLAY, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 27, 2000

  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I 
stand here this evening to acknowledge the accomplishments of one, 
United States Representative William Clay, my friend and colleague.
  William Clay, United States Representative from the 1st Congressional 
District of Missouri, was first elected to Congress in 1968. He has 
served in these hallowed chambers for 15 succeeding Congresses from 
1969 through January 2001.
  His commitment to public service has been lifelong. His work includes 
serving as Alderman in St. Louis and serving as Education Coordinator, 
Steamfitters Local No. 562. Mr. Clay, throughout his business and 
professional life, has always been a people's fighter, championing the 
cause for those left out, the voiceless and the poor.
  Representative Clay, senior member, Missouri congressional 
delegation, currently serves as Ranking Member, House Education and 
Workforce Committee. He also served as Chairman, Committee on the Post 
Office and Civil Service in the 102d and 103d Congresses. 
Representative Clay was the chief architect of H.R. 1, the Family and 
Medical Leave Act, a major piece of legislation. In addition, it was 
Representative Clay who worked tirelessly to have the Hatch Act reform 
bill signed into law.
  Representative Clay's work in the areas of education, labor and 
workforce will stand long after he leaves Congress. His work to ensure 
equal access to education and to promote educational excellence are 
testaments to his belief in providing opportunities for all Americans. 
In addition,Clay has boldly stood, where many others would not, to 
ensure fair wages as well as safe, healthy working conditions for 
American workers.
  In 1969, Representative Clay and twelve other African American 
representatives of the 77th Congress joined together to form the 
``Democratic Select Committee.'' This committee was later renamed the 
Congressional Black Caucus. Founding members included Representatives 
William Clay, Shirley Chisholm, George Collins, John Conyers, Ronald 
Dellums, Charles Diggs, Augustus Hawkins, Ralph Metcalfe, Parren 
Mitchell, Robert Nix, Charles Rangel, Louis Stokes and Walter Fauntroy. 
Representative Clay, through the Congressional Black Caucus, worked and 
dedicated himself to removing barriers and helped to mold a Nation to 
its higher calling for a government ``of the people, for the people and 
by the people.''
  Representative Clay has authored two books, To Kill or Not To Kill 
(published in 1990) and Just Permanent Interests (published in 1992). 
Moreover, Mr. Speaker, Representative Clay has also founded the William 
L. Clay Scholarship Fund, a fund that presently enrolls fifty-six 
students in twenty-one different schools.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, I recognize a Statesman, an educator, 
businessman, author, and more importantly, a father and husband to 
Carol Clay for 43 years. I stand today to personally thank him for his 
friendship, guidance, love and his long-time friendship with my 
predecessor, Congressman Louis Stokes. Congressman Stokes gave me the 
opportunity that I possess today and now I am able to bask in the 
sunshine too!
  Mr. Speaker, I stand to recognize and to say thanks to the 
outstanding Representative from the 1st Congressional District of 
Missouri, my friend, Representative William Lacy Clay, Sr. Mr. Speaker, 
America is better off . . ., this Congress is better off, . . ., the 
Congressional Black Caucus is better off . . . because of 
Representative William Lacy Clay, Sr. I salute you and America salutes 
you.

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