[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 82 (Tuesday, June 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E833-E834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REMEMBERING THE HONORABLE RUDY CLAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 11, 2013

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness and the utmost 
respect that I take this time to remember a dear friend and one of 
Indiana's most distinguished citizens, the Honorable Rudolph Clay, 
former Mayor of Gary, Indiana. On Tuesday, June 4, 2013, Rudy Clay 
passed away at the age of 77. Known for his many years of public 
service and his countless efforts toward improving the lives of 
Northwest Indiana residents, Rudy will be missed by his family, 
friends, constituents, and the many people whose lives he touched.
   Rudolph Clay was born in Courtland, Alabama. He and his brother, 
David, were raised by their aunts, Daisy Washington and Mary Lucy 
Hunter, in Gary, Indiana, following the passing of his mother. Rudy 
graduated from Roosevelt High School in Gary before continuing his 
education at Indiana University in Bloomington, which he attended on a 
track scholarship. After returning to Gary, he met and fell in love 
with Christine Swan, whom he wed on November 30, 1957. From 1958 to 
1960, Rudy began what would become a lifetime of public service by 
serving in the United States Army. During this time, Rudy's calling to 
fight injustice and to serve the public, especially those most in need, 
and his unwavering desire to be a catalyst for positive change, led him 
on his extraordinary journey.
   Rudolph Clay was elected to the Indiana State Senate in 1972. While 
in this position, the focus of his efforts included working toward 
improved training programs for prison inmates and the creation of a 
victim's compensation fund. Following his service in the Indiana 
General Assembly, Rudy was elected to the Lake County Council in 1978 
and re-elected in 1982. During his time on the Council, Rudy's 
dedication to equal rights impelled him to be an outspoken leader in 
the fight to eliminate unfair hiring practices in Lake County 
government. He was elected Lake County Recorder in 1984, and three 
years later, he was elected to the Lake County Board of Commissioners, 
a capacity in which he remained for four terms.
   In 2005, Rudy became the first African American elected to serve as 
the Lake County Democratic Chairman, a position he held until 2009.
   In 2006, recognizing the leadership Rudy Clay would bring to the 
people of Gary, the Gary Precinct Organization appointed him to be the 
next mayor of Gary, and he was elected to the position the following 
year. Mayor Clay was the epitome of a public servant. His energetic 
dedication to serving people and his profound compassion for them, 
especially those most in need, was limitless. Throughout his 
illustrious career, Rudy received many esteemed honors for his 
outstanding commitment and his constant efforts to improve the

[[Page E834]]

quality of life for the people of Gary and throughout Northwest 
Indiana.
   While Rudy was fully committed to the improvement of Gary and 
Northwest Indiana, his greatest source of pride was always his family. 
He is survived by his devoted wife, Christine, and his beloved son, 
Rudy Jr. Rudy also leaves behind many other dear friends and family 
members, as well as a saddened but grateful community whose lives have 
been made better by having had Mayor Clay live amongst them.
   Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask that you and my other distinguished 
colleagues join me in paying tribute to my dear friend, and a true 
public servant, Rudolph Clay. For his tremendous contributions to the 
people of Gary and all of Northwest Indiana, he has earned our 
admiration. Rudy Clay's unselfish and lifelong devotion to civil 
justice and to serving those most in need will be forever remembered. 
His legacy serves as an inspiration to us all.

                          ____________________