[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 96 (Monday, July 8, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H4190-H4200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CELEBRATING BILL GRAY
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 3, 2013, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah) is
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.
Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, let me first thank the House for setting
aside this time to appropriately reflect on and to celebrate the life
of service of William H. Gray--Bill Gray, as we know him--who
represented my hometown of Philadelphia so very well in this Congress.
But as we're going to have a number of speakers, I'll have ample
opportunity to talk. So I want to move to a process in which we can
acknowledge some others who want to say a few words.
General Leave
Mr. FATTAH. I first ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5
legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material into the Record on the subject of this
Special Order.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
There was no objection.
Mr. FATTAH. I now yield to the gentlelady from Ohio (Ms. Fudge), who
chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, for an opportunity to talk about
Bill Gray and his service to our Nation.
Ms. FUDGE. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank him for
leading this Congressional Black Caucus Special Order hour to honor a
man that was a friend to so many of us, former Congressman William H.
Gray, III.
On behalf of the CBC, I send condolences to the Gray family. As you
celebrate Congressman and Reverend Gray's life, know that we, too, will
miss a great man. We mourn the loss of Congressman Gray and celebrate
the legislator, the advocate, and the statesman, a man whose
accomplishments you will hear a great deal about this evening.
But if one word defined Bill Gray's life, it is ``service.'' He
served God, his Philadelphia community, our Nation, and the world with
dedicated hard work, strong leadership, and a commitment to equity and
justice. He broke new ground as the first African American to chair the
House Budget Committee and again as the first African American majority
whip in the House of Representatives.
Although I did not have the personal privilege and pleasure to serve
with him, our history supports the fact that he was a brilliant
negotiator, bipartisan consensus builder, and courageous policymaker.
Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentlelady.
Representing the city of Philadelphia was something that Bill Gray
was born to do. He was just an extraordinary Member.
We have one of my colleagues who knew Congressman Gray and worked
with him from her earliest days in public service, so I yield to my
colleague, Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz.
Ms. SCHWARTZ. I thank my colleague for setting up this Special Order.
Bill Gray was a total guy. He would have been able to handle this;
that's for sure.
I do want to start by offering my condolences to the family, to Bill
Gray's religious family, his community, and actually all Philadelphians
who knew him and not only respected him, but loved him and admired him
for the work that he did on behalf of Philadelphia and on behalf of the
Nation and on behalf of the world.
I think we've all heard a bit about his extraordinary public service
both here, of course, in the House and also then when he went on to, of
course, help lead the United Negro College Fund.
What I wanted to say was a little more personal. I think my colleague
knows this. Congressman Fattah knows some of this history. But when I
first decided to run for elected office, I went first to City
Councilwoman Marian Tasco, who was part of the northwest coalition of
elected officials who
[[Page H4191]]
came out of the community that was Bill Gray and the people who he
supported and provided inspiration to. She was interested in helping me
run for the State senate, and she said, Well, Allyson, I'm going to
help you out, but there's one really important person you're going to
need to be on your side.
It's an interesting district. My district in the State senate
represented northwest Philadelphia mostly and where Bill Gray lived,
his house there, and much of the northwest coalition and also part of
northeast Philadelphia and then eventually part of the suburbs, as
well. So it is a really interesting and integrated community. It is
about 40 percent African American.
I went first to see one of his chief aides. I went to see Jerry
Mondesire. I'm not sure you're supposed to name names here, but it's a
Special Order and we can do some of that. I went to talk with him about
who I was and why I wanted to run and what I hoped to accomplish in the
State senate. He thought it made some sense and gave me the opportunity
to set up that meeting with Congressman Gray. I came to see him here at
the Capitol actually to meet him. I think he was in the whip's office
at the time, a very grand office. He was a grand man of real stature.
It was a good meeting. It was actually a very good meeting, and he did
agree to be supportive. We ended up working together and worked hard
and won a very competitive primary. I was not the only one running in
that primary who went on to win in the general election.
Congressman Gray always was supportive and encouraging, particularly
when I decided to run for Congress. When I got elected to Congress, the
district was very different. It didn't represent the northwest. It was
a very different coalition I had to build for that. But he met with me
and gave me some good advice about what to do here as a Member of
Congress. He said I should serve on the Budget Committee. I'm not even
sure I understood at the time that he was the chair of the Budget
Committee, the first African American chair of the Budget Committee and
the power he lent to that. I took his advice, and I think it was good
advice. It gave me a chance to really rise here fairly quickly in
Congress.
What I really want to say is that he was a man who brought great
intellect, great commitment to public service, a real understanding of
relationships between people and how you forge those relationships and
you build on those relationships to find common ground and get things
done. He did that for Philadelphia, and he did that here in Congress.
He was, as I say, a spiritual leader and really made such a difference
to the city.
I did get to hear him preach a couple of times; and when I went to
Bright Hope to hear him preach, it was Easter morning. That's kind of a
special time to be at Bright Hope, as in many churches across this
country. I remember that I brought my son, who is now well-grown, and
he was only about 11 or 12 at the time. I asked my son afterwards what
he thought of the service and what he thought of the preacher, and my
son, good Jewish boy that he is, he said, You know, Mom, it kind of
makes you want to believe.
And I have to say that Bill Gray made us all want to believe not only
spiritually, but believe in this country and the greatness of this
country and what we could accomplish. For that, I will be always
indebted and grateful to have known him, to honor his memory, and to
share in the sadness at his loss and to wish his family not only
condolences, but great memories of the man Bill Gray was.
Mr. FATTAH. Let me ask that we place into the Record a number of
letters from local elected officials back home in Philadelphia:
Councilwoman Marian Tasco, State Senator Vincent Hughes, State Senator
Anthony Williams, City Councilwomen Blondell Reynolds Brown and Cindy
Bass, and State Representative Dwight Evans.
Marian B. Tasco, City of Philadelphia, City Council.
To the Members of the 113th Congress: Respectfully, I join
with friends, family and my constituents to submit this
letter for The Congressional Record memorializing a world-
class citizen, with a keen sense of purpose, a man of God, a
champion at the forefront of ending apartheid in South
Africa, and a man who humbly served the least of these. Over
the past 40 years, I have called The Honorable William H.
Gray III many things: pastor, my candidate, a mentor, my
congressman, and of greatest importance to me, my friend.
Undoubtedly, Bill Gray lived a beautiful life. Having
succeeded his father as pastor of Bright Hope Baptist Church
in Philadelphia in 1972, I came to know Bill Gray very well.
He knew best how to engage the people he was charged to lead.
And, he knew how to help individuals identify their best
qualities and develop and expand upon them. I credit Bill
Gray for helping me to recognize my own ability to organize.
Compelled to be his campaign manager when he ran for
congress, and later his director of constituent services, he
was a mentor to me and others locally and nationally who
sought public office. He was instrumental in my run for
office and election as Philadelphia's first African American
City Commissioner, and strongly supported me in my bid to
become council person for the Ninth District. I am forever
indebted to him and grateful for his vision.
Admired for his commitment to the city of Philadelphia,
Bill Gray was a powerbroker who used his influence to provide
federal resources and opportunities to often underserved
communities. And though he walked amongst kings, queens and
heads of nations, he was never too busy to meet with his
constituents, return a phone call or help someone in need.
The passing of this gentle giant is untimely, yet I hope
all that mourn him will find comfort in knowing that Bill
Gray leaves behind a legacy of goodness that surely
withstands the test of time.
God bless Bill Gray and God bless America!
Marian B. Tasco,
Ninth District Councilwoman.
____
Democratic Appropriations Chairman, Senate of
Pennsylvania,
July 8, 2013.
Hon. Chaka Fattah,
Congressman,
Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Fattah: I was deeply saddened to learn of
the sudden passing of Congressman William H. Gray. He was a
giant in Philadelphia politics, a spiritual leader for
hundreds of thousands, and a powerful force for good in
Washington DC. He was also a mentor to many public officials
including myself. Congressman Gray's tremendous spirit will
be impossible to replace.
He was a leader in so many areas, but one of the biggest
ways that Congressman Gray inspired me personally was his
work against apartheid in South Africa. Congressman Gray was
the sponsor of one of the first bills to prohibit loans and
economic investment in that troubled country, which laid the
groundwork for the eventual toppling of the regime. I started
my own political activism around this issue and his work was
a shining example of the good that someone can accomplish in
elected office.
Congressman Gray will be missed. Now, it is the
responsibility of the next generation to pick up the torch
and try to follow in his footsteps. Serving from his
pastorship of Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia, he
had a focus that was not limited to that North Philadelphia
neighborhood, but was international in scope. He always
concentrated on transformational change, whether it was in
his 2nd Congressional District, Washington, DC, South Africa,
or the World. We have truly lost a giant.
Most people will see Congressman Gray through the lens of
politics. I certainly was one of the people who benefitted
from his crafting of an independent progressive political
movement in Philadelphia. Without his work to create a
viewpoint that elected office was essentially the next step
for the civil rights movement, I along with many others,
probably would not have ever thought about running for
political office. I sit as Democratic Chairman of the PA
Senate Appropriations Committee because he had the courage to
seek and to sit as Chairman of the Budget Committee of the US
Congress. His willingness to grasp for what was then an
unattainable high prize, gave me the confidence to seek and
accomplish the same in my place of service. For that, I will
always be grateful for his vision and leadership. But he also
influenced a generation of young people to become community
leaders, public servants, and business leaders, and to not be
limited by the traditions of their profession, but to see
themselves also as transformative servant leaders, who never
forgot their roots, but who always reached for the broader
mission.
Congressman Gray had a unique ability to reach the common
humanity that exists in all of us, in order to bring people
together from varied, often times from widely diverging
backgrounds. That singular talent allowed him to travel and
be comfortable in almost any setting. It also allowed him to
accomplish some of his greatest achievements. From his South
Africa Anti-Apartheid work, to his rise to the position as
the first African-American to serve as Whip in the US
Congress, to his leadership of the United Negro College Fund,
his ability to connect with people from the board room, the
barrio, and the backwater, served him and all of us well.
Congressman Gray never thought, nor acted small. He was
local in his pastorship, and his congressional district,
always there to preach the word or to attend a community
meeting, and to bring home the ``bacon'' to his constituents.
But his transformational vision and service was big and
impactful on the grandest of stages--the world. Those of us
who have followed in his footsteps have
[[Page H4192]]
been deeply influenced by his trail blazing path. It remains
our hope that we can have the same intensely deep, and wide
ranging impact that he has had. It remains our job to truly
make a difference in the lives of the people we serve, never
settling for less either in our selves or in others. On
behalf of myself, my family, the constituents of the 7th
Senatorial District, and for the countless faceless people
who he never knew, and for those generations yet to come
whose lives he have impacted, we thank Bill, our good and
faithful servant. His race has been run, and it has been run
so very well.
Sincerely,
State Senator Vincent Hughes,
Democratic Chairman of the PA Senate
Appropriations Committee.
____
Democratic Whip,
Senate of Pennsylvania,
July 8, 2013.
Andrea Gray and Family: It was with deep sadness that I
learned of the passing of the Rev. William H. Gray III, a man
whose imprint on our spiritual, social, and political worlds
has been unmatched in the modem era. While Bill had
tansitioned to a more restful and relaxing life in recent
years, his influence could still be felt. His death comes as
a great loss for generations, not just in Philadelphia, but
across the nation.
Do accept my family's deepest condolences.
Certainly, Bill had a springboard to the success he
achieved, with solid examples and expectations presented by
his father, and his father before him. But what he managed to
erect during his time with us deserves lasting admiration and
appreciation. From his ground-breaking post in the U.S.
Congress to helming the storied Bright Hope Baptist Church to
steering the venerable United Negro College Fund, he helped
to cement opportunity and guided the aspirations for
countless people. My father and I, as did our entire
organization, held Bill in great esteem because of the
selfless public service to which he dedicated much of his
life.
Above all, he was a man who cherished his family, and
without a doubt you will miss him the most.
Do know that if I can be of any service to you during this
difficult time, please feel free to call on me.
Sincerely,
Anthony H. Williams,
State Senator--8th District.
____
City of Philadelphia
City Council,
July 5, 2013.
To the Family, Friends and Colleagues of the Honorable
William H. Gray, III: I am still in a state of shock.
Congressman Bill Gray really made a mark on my political
career. It was Congressman Gray who first mentioned, inspired
and urged me to go to my first Democratic National Convention
in 1984. Because of that ``nudging'' I have been to 7 of the
last 8 DNC Conventions.
I was also astonished by his gift as a Pastor, having been
a longtime member of Bright Hope Baptist Church. If you had
the privilege of hearing his sermons, you know that his
knowledge of the Bible equaled his knowledge of the
Constitution.
I join the legions of adoring admirers who will miss his
footprint. He was a leader who distinguished himself as a
minister, educator, Congressman and father. In all these
roles, he made excellence his standard while never losing the
common touch.
My heart and prayers go out to his family. We thank them
for sharing him with the City of Philadelphia and the nation.
We must all remember that God gives us work to do on earth
and then he calls us home.
In Service,
Blondell Reynolds Brown,
Councilwoman At-Large.
____
City of Philadelphia
City Council,
July 3, 2013.
Gray Family and Bright Hope Baptist Church Congregants: It
is with deep regret that I express to your family and friends
my sincere sympathy on the passing of the beloved former U.S.
Rep. William H. ``Bill'' Gray, 3rd.
Congressman Gray was a progressive leader unlike any other
we have seen, or are likely to ever see again. He was a
political titan, a man committed to his community, and a man
of faith. Bill Gray was a leader in Philadelphia during a
difficult time in its history, determined to help our city
become better and stronger.
Many politicians in Philadelphia owe their careers to Bill
Gray, as he was known for encouraging people to become active
in politics. I join them, Congressman Gray's family, and
countless others whose lives he touched in mourning this
great man.
My sincere sympathy,
Cindy Bass, Member,
Philadelphia City Council, 8th District.
____
House of Representatives,
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
July 3, 2013.
Dear Gray Family: It is with profound sorrow that I extend
my condolences to you on the passing of your loved one, the
Honorable William H. Gray. Honorable was not just part of his
title, Honorable was the man. A staunch supporter and
protector of the underdog, the disenfranchised and the
unprotected, Congressman Gray's passing will long be felt by
those who benefited from his tenacity.
Congressman Gray blazed trails and set precedents that
those of us who follow in his stead will spend our entire
careers attempting to emulate. He was a fighter, a bold
strategist who understood the workings of government and used
that knowledge for the betterment of those that he
represented.
I can imagine that these next upcoming days and weeks will
be difficult for you. However, I can only hope that the great
legacy that Congressman Gray leaves behind will bring you
comfort. Defending ones belief in the face of adversity,
never allowing limitations to limit you, being committed to a
principle and a people in spite of popular beliefs, and
winning against impossible odds, is what the Honorable
Congressman William H. Gray stood for and the mantle that he
has left for the rest of us to take up.
Wishing you peace and blessings.
Sincerely,
Dwight Evans,
203rd Legislative District.
Mr. FATTAH. I now yield to the gentleman from Georgia, Sanford
Bishop.
Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I
thank him so much for having this Special Order so that we can
celebrate the life of our friend and mentor, Bill Gray.
Shakespeare wrote:
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely
players; they have their exits and their entrances, and one
man in his time plays many parts.
So it was with Reverend-Doctor-Congressman Bill Gray. He was a son, a
husband, a father, a grandfather, a preacher--Union Baptist in
Montclair, New Jersey, Bright Hope in Philadelphia. He pastored my
great, great aunt, Aunt Mini, for whom my mother was named. He was a
businessman. He was a mentor. He was a servant. He was a legislator.
You've heard budget chairman, majority whip of this House of
Representatives. He was a bridge builder, particularly in education,
understanding that education is an escalator to upward mobility. And he
made it possible for thousands and thousands of young people to get a
college education. He was a great corporate citizen.
He was my friend, a confidant. He gave many items of sage advice and
counsel. He was an avid supporter in coming to Georgia to support me
when I was a State legislator. He supported me when I ran for Congress
and continued to support me for reelection. And, of course, he was a
wonderful friend, and we developed a wonderful relationship. I will
miss him greatly.
His 71 years are but a minute in eternity, but I have to just reflect
and say that he did so much with his minute. The poet wrote:
I have only just a minute,
Only 60 seconds in it.
Forced upon me, can't refuse it.
Didn't seek it, didn't choose it.
But it's up to me to use it,
I must suffer if I loose it,
Give account if I abuse it.
Just a tiny little minute,
But an eternity lives in it.
We're so thankful that Bill Gray passed this way and touched all of
our lives and made such a difference, because he certainly did so much
for so many for so long with his minute on the stage of this life.
Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentleman for that recitation of God's
prayer.
Now you'll hear from someone who actually served with Bill Gray, who
was his colleague in more ways than one, because Bill Gray was also a
member of the greatest college fraternity. He was an Alpha. I now yield
to the gentleman from New York, Congressman Rangel.
Mr. RANGEL. Let me first congratulate and thank my colleague,
Congressman Fattah, for putting together this moment. I know this is
going to be one of a series of tributes that we're going to have that
reminds me how we all feel as we lose a dear friend, that we could have
done more, we should have done more, we could have kept in touch a lot
more.
My chief of staff, Patrick Swygert, was a good friend of Pastor Bill
Gray, and he got me involved in a couple of campaigns for Congress. One
was not too successful and very embarrassing, and the other one, of
course, brought him to the House.
Bill Gray, even though he was known throughout the world, he had a
personality that once you started talking with him, his charm, his wit
would allow you to believe that you had known him all of his life.
He invited me a couple of times to visit Bright Hope, and I listened
to one
[[Page H4193]]
of his sermons. It was the first time that I felt so utterly proud of
being a Member of Congress, being a Democrat, and knowing Bill Gray.
Because as he took this spiritual sermon and wrapped it around, he
reminded me, and should remind so many others in public service, that
there was hardly anything that was in that Bible, that no matter what
your religion was, that you shouldn't have some compassion for: the
children that are just a miracle of life that are born; the older
people that have served and are now among the most vulnerable; the
sick, the disabled; those that have emotional problems; being able to
get a decent education so at least you have some of the tools that are
necessary to negotiate what is sometimes called an ``unfair world.''
{time} 1945
And among all of the Biblical things that he was talking about, how
he tied that into the educational projects that you became a leader in,
Congressman Fattah, which nobody in the country has done more for
education than you have, and he spins right off with the United Negro
College Fund organization, to make certain that education was such an
important factor. When it came to Medicaid and Medicare, when it came
to programs providing food for those people that were starving, all of
this in that sermon, it made it sound like he was saying that these are
the things that we've campaigned for, these are the things that we've
fought for.
So I guess instead of just feeling guilty that we had not kept in
touch on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, the work that he has really
started, in Philadelphia, in the United States Congress, in South
Africa and throughout the world, there is so much that has not been
completed. And because such a great leader has succeeded him and comes
out of that same family that brought people together in Philadelphia,
and you try so hard to do it right here in this House of
Representatives, this work is still not completed, the mission has not
been accomplished. So those of us who knew and loved him so much, if we
missed saying good-bye when he was well, we can pick up where he left
off and make certain that his destination is reached by as many people
as he brought over the line.
Thank you so much for having this Special Order.
Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentleman.
It is true that Bill Gray traveled a great distance in his life--born
in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to his date of expiration in London--but he
did so much in that period of time to make this world a better place.
I want to yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) so
she can talk about the life and legacy in service, the extraordinary
public service, of our former colleague, Bill Gray.
Ms. WATERS. Thank you so very much. I would like to first take a
moment to thank you, Congressman Chaka Fattah, for putting together
this moment for us to reflect on the life and legacy of Bill. I want
you to know that we are so pleased that you're carrying on in his style
and his tradition. Thank you so very much for this evening.
I rise today deeply saddened by the sudden passing of my friend and
former colleague, Congressman Bill Gray. He was loved by everyone, and
his legacy will continue to inspire all who knew him. I feel fortunate
to have had the distinct honor of working with him over the years as
both a colleague and a dear friend. I join the people of Philadelphia
and Americans across the Nation in mourning the loss of an effective
leader and passionate advocate of the public good. Bill Gray will
certainly be missed.
First elected in 1978, Congressman Gray's 12 years in Congress were
marked by extraordinary achievement. Not only was he was the first
African American to serve as chairman of the House Budget Committee, he
was also the first African American to serve as majority whip. In
addition to his outstanding leadership, Congressman Gray's skill as a
politician and orator raised awareness about the talent of the
Congressional Black Caucus.
During his tenure, Congressman Gray also authored legislation that
implemented economic sanctions against South Africa during apartheid.
As our thoughts and prayers are with Nelson Mandela, we must remember
and appreciate the fact that it was Congressman Gray who spearheaded
Federal efforts to eradicate apartheid.
Bill Gray was a close friend both to my husband and me long before I
entered Congress. At Bill's invitation, I was honored to serve as guest
speaker at Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia, where Bill
served as pastor until his retirement in 2007. My husband regularly
played tennis with Bill in Washington, D.C., and many cities across
this Nation.
Bill was a strong and influential advocate for his constituents in
Philadelphia and Americans around the country. I extend my sincerest
condolences to his wife, Andrea, and their three sons, William, IV,
Justin, and Andrew, during this difficult time.
I would just like to share with you--when I first came to the
Congress of the United States, Bill embraced me and he took me on my
first codel. We went to the Middle East. Here's a picture of us in
Israel. It was the first codel that I went on. I watched Bill, how he
conducted himself, how he dealt with the dignitaries and the heads of
states, and I've tried to model him all of these years. So I have a lot
to be thankful for. We are saddened, but I am so pleased that I had the
opportunity to learn from him, and I certainly admired him so very
much.
Thank you very much for organizing this opportunity for us to share
our thoughts about him today. Thank you, Chaka.
Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentlelady.
I didn't get a chance to travel with Bill Gray as a Member because
obviously he was here before I arrived, and by the time I got here, he
was gone. But I do remember flying on Air Force One with President
Clinton, and we flew into the heart of Africa, and we walked into a
meeting with President Nelson Mandela. And in talking with the
President, I explained that I represented Philadelphia. He said, Bill
Gray's seat. That will resonate for all of time that Bill Gray had such
an impact that this man was able to walk out of prison after 27 years
and become President in part because of the leadership on this House
floor to do away with constructive engagement and say, No, we need as a
Nation to take the right moral position, along with Congressman Dellums
and others. Rangel was in it. It was indispensable to helping South
Africa make that transition.
So I want to move from California now to another little, small, tiny
State--I'm sorry, excuse me, Texas. Let me yield to the great
gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Let me thank my classmate, and we certainly owe him
a debt of gratitude for the respect that he is allowing us to show on
the floor of the House in honor of the Honorable William H. Gray, III.
I, too, want to offer my sympathy to his wife, Andrea, to Bill Gray,
who we often saw with him, and he would be really at his side. Bill and
Andrea and Justin and Andrew, I offer to them enormous concern for the
loss of this great, great champion.
I, too, want to lift my voice and say that Bill Gray wore many hats.
On behalf of the faith community in Houston, the faith community in
Texas, I want the Gray family to know that my pastors recognize and
respected Bill Gray. In fact, when we would see each other, and I did
not, as Chaka has said, have an opportunity to serve with him, but when
we would see each other, he would ask about this pastor or that pastor,
and it gave me a sense of friendship but also a sense of connectedness
to Bill by saying, oh, they like you, too, or they said hello as well,
because Bill was so respected.
If I might say on this floor, Bill Gray was a child of God. Although
we are going to say so many things about him, I think it is appropriate
to say that he loved his church and his ministry. My pastors across
Texas are praying for his family.
I want to cite a few things that I think are so much a part of his
DNA and his legacy, to be able to be a son of a mother and father who
were premier educators in the life of historically black colleges, to
be able to see him carry their leadership and move it to the United
Negro College Fund, which is where I first came to know him, having not
served with him in his work, but I knew him earlier because he and
Mickey Leland were dear friends. And you can be assured that Mickey
never
[[Page H4194]]
left Washington up here. Whenever he would come home, he would share
his stories with us, who looked up and thought these stories of
grandeur, of leadership, of good fights to make things better, and we
would hear about Bill Gray, his friend.
I remember Mickey leading the Congressional Black Caucus and bringing
them to Houston. Bill Gray was there, and they were talking about what
a challenge it was to leave Washington, but they were glad to come to
then not really the fourth-largest city in the Nation, but to come down
South and show what the Congressional Black Caucus represented.
So I want to say that we are grateful for the courage but also the
astuteness of his success: 56 years in the United Negro College Fund,
$1.6 billion, $1.5 billion, one-half of that was raised under Bill
Gray. He was serious about his work.
Sometimes we don't understand, and this is, of course, for the
Congressional Record, because my Members do, but first are to be
respected. And it should be known that our colleague, Bill Gray, was
the first African American to rise to the level of leadership which he
did. We say the words ``majority leader,'' we say the words ``chairman
of the Budget Committee,'' we say the words ``chair of the Democratic
Caucus,'' but he was the first. He will forever be in the annals of
history, and I think it is absolutely key that that is the case.
I want to cite the bills, as my colleague from California said, I
want to call them out: H.R. 1460, the Anti-Apartheid Action Act of
1985; and the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986, H.R. 4868.
Those were the guys who came together--we've mentioned Ron Dellums and
the whole expanse of Members at that time who stood resolved that this
Nation would not diminish its democratic ideals by engaging with South
Africa. And I think courageously he took a stand that we are so proud
of.
He was, of course, respected in Washington and appointed by the
President as an adviser and received a Medal of Honor from the Haitian
President Aristide. He took leadership and he took it with a great
sense of dignity.
Let me conclude my comments by indicating that Bill Gray always had a
smile on his face. He never stopped working. There were many times he
came to my office not as a former majority leader but for an issue that
he may have had. As I know he went into many Members' offices,
particularly members of the Congressional Black Caucus. It was always
uplifting, but Bill Gray always had a story of encouragement. He always
had a smile and a deep laugh. He was a good man, and I want to leave
this floor by saying good men, good people die young. But what we will
always remember is that Bill Gray walked in giant steps, not because of
his height but because of his service to America, his love of God, his
love of people, and his love of his family. He will be forever missed,
and he will be forever remembered. God bless him. God bless his family,
and God bless his service.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of a great American,
Congressman William ``Bill'' Gray, who served more than a decade in
this great body.
Today, Members of both the House and the Senate and people around
this great Nation mourn the passing of a legislator, a politician, a
pastor, a teacher, a public servant and most of all a larger-than-life
patriot.
The United States, the State of Pennsylvania and Congress have lost a
true hero in Congressman Bill Gray. My heart went out to his family,
and the constituents he represented upon learning of his passing last
week. Congressman Gray was a true patriot and devoted his time here on
earth to serving others in his district, state, country, and around the
world. His presence with us will be deeply missed, but I know that his
legacy will live on for decades to come.
Congressman Bill Gray was born on August 20, 1943 in Baton Rouge,
Louisiana, but he spent most of his childhood in Florida, where his
father served as the president of Florida Normal and Industrial
College, which later became Florida A8zM University.
Congressman Gray, like his father, was a strong supporter of
education and leading advocate for strengthening America's educational
systems. He earned several degrees: a bachelor's degree in 1963 from
Franklin and Marshall College, a Master's of Divinity in 1966 from Drew
Theological Seminary, and another Master's in Church History from
Princeton Theological Seminary in 1970. Additionally, he was awarded
more than 65 honorary degrees from America's leading colleges and
universities.
Born into a family of ministers and educators, Congressman Gray
carried on his family traditions until his death. At an early age, he
accepted his calling to become a preacher, and from that day, he
proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus in the church, in the community, and
even in the halls of Congress. His faith was unshakable and undeniable;
it was evident that he lived his life based upon what he preached.
Congressman Gray was the pastor of Bright Hope Baptist Church in
Philadelphia for more than 25 years, a church pastored by his father
and grandfather. Under his leadership, the congregation grew to more
than 5,000 plus members, and the church served tens of thousands
citizens in the community.
In addition to his church ministry, Congressman Gray served as a
faculty member and professor of history and religion at St. Peter's
College, Jersey City State College, Montclair State College, Eastern
Baptist Theological Seminary, and Temple University. He spent countless
hours outside of the classroom preparing students for success.
Elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1978,
Congressman Gray was a persistent voice for equal rights, educational
access, and opportunity for all persons, in the United States and
abroad. He pushed tirelessly for more economic aid for Africa and was a
leading critic of the South African apartheid.
In 1985, Congressman Gray was elected as the first African American
Chair of the House Budget Committee where he introduced H.R. 1460, the
``Anti-Apartheid Action Act of 1985'', which prohibited loans and new
investment in South Africa and imposed sanctions on imports and exports
with South Africa. This bill was an instrumental precursor to the
Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 (H.R. 4868). Congressman Gray
played a leading role in shaping United States policy toward South
Africa, and awakening America to the moral imperative of ending
apartheid and other injustices abroad.
In 1989, Congressman Gray was elected to serve as the chairman of the
Democratic Caucus and later that year was elected Majority Whip. He was
the first African American to hold these positions and his success
inspired a generation of African American elected officials.
In 1991, Congressman Gray resigned from Congress to become the
president and chief executive officer of the United Negro College Fund,
UNCF, America's oldest and most successful black higher education
assistance organization. As president, Congressman Gray led the UNCF to
new fund-raising records while cutting costs and expanding programs and
services. Approximately one-half of the more than $1.6 billion raised
in UNCF's history was collected during Congressman Gray's tenure.
During the Clinton Administration, Congressman Gray served as
President Clinton's special adviser on Haiti. He assisted President
Clinton in developing and carrying out policy to restore democracy to
Haiti. As a result of his commitment to Haiti, Congressman Gray and
President Clinton received the Medal of Honor from Haitian President
Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
Congressman Gray will always be, in a word, a giant--of Philadelphia,
of Congress, and of our country. He was a leader and a trailblazer for
the people he represented. His mission was to help people live better
lives, to do the work of his Christian faith, to advance the moral
evolution of humankind, to make public policy that provided education,
and to bring justice and joy to all human beings one decent act at a
time.
Congressman Gray's strong, powerful, and influential voice will be
missed. Philadelphia, the United States and the world have lost a great
statesman in Congressman William ``Bill'' Gray. My thoughts and prayers
go out to his family.
Mr. FATTAH. Thank you.
All of us have expressed our condolences to the Gray family, his
lovely wife and three sons, but I want the Members to take note that we
have with us this evening a number of Bill Gray's former staff members
who are here and they are in the gallery, and I would just ask that we
appropriately acknowledge their presence.
I would like to yield to the gentleman from the great State of New
York, Congressman Meeks.
Mr. MEEKS. I want to thank the gentleman for organizing the
opportunity to say thank you. First, thank you to God for sending us
Bill Gray. Thank you to God for having an individual who understands
who he was, where he came from, and how he got here, and never
forgetting about those least than he. Bill Gray knew what his purpose
[[Page H4195]]
was in life. Many individuals go through this thing that we call life
and never find out what our purpose is. But all you have to do is to
look at the works of Bill Gray, and you know his purpose was to serve
people, to serve people who needed a hand up, to serve people who
sometimes are forgotten about, to serve people to make sure that their
tomorrow was better than their yesterday.
When I think of Bill Gray, one of the first things that I was told
when I got elected to Congress, by an individual who looked up to him,
my predecessor, the Reverend Floyd H. Flake, said that Reverend Gray
inspired him because, like Reverend Gray, Reverend Flake had a large
congregation.
{time} 2000
And he understood how he could take that skill, being a minister, and
help the masses.
In fact, I can recall a statement made by Representative Gray when he
was appointed, when he was elected the chair of the Budget Committee.
They asked him, What do you know about budgets?
He said, Have you ever been the pastor of a Baptist church? And he
showed that he did understand budgets and money, and how to deal with
it, and he did it in such a masterful way.
He also understood the world, and the global world. Even the last few
conversations I had with him were about the world, were about going out
to countries, whether they be on the continent of Africa or right here
in North America, whether it was in the Western Hemisphere, and how he
could help people, all people, but especially people of African
descent, so that they too can rise and see and accomplish all that they
could be.
So death is always--and I send my condolences to the family--it's a
sad thing. But when one has had such a stellar life, when one has made
the kind of contributions, it's a celebration. It's a celebration that
we need to thank God for, and we need to thank the fact that God sent
him here so that he could be that bright and shining star for all to
see and many to follow.
He leaves a legacy for us to follow. We will follow. We will miss
him, but we thank him for his service to mankind.
Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentleman and also would like to thank all
who have assisted the family at this time, including the United States
Department of State, which assisted in dealing with some of the issues
around the death of Bill Gray in another country. And I want to thank
them.
I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).
We have about 20 minutes left. The gentlelady's going to have 2
minutes, the speaker that follows her is going to have 2 minutes, and
then we're going to be going down towards 1\1/2\ minutes from that
point forward in order to make sure that everyone has a chance to make
comments. And I will reserve the last 4 minutes for myself.
Ms. LEE of California. I want to thank the gentleman for yielding
time and for leading our efforts tonight to celebrate the life of our
beloved Bill Gray.
I first want to extend my condolences to his loving wife, Andrea, and
his three sons.
My thoughts and prayers are with Bill's family, his extended family,
friends, the Bright Hope Baptist Church family in Philadelphia and, of
course, the residents of Philadelphia.
I know that tonight, Bill's friend and colleague, my predecessor and
good friend, Ron Dellums, also sends his sympathy and prayers to Bill's
family and friends.
When Congressman Gray was elected to Congress in 1978, I was a member
of then-Congressman Ron Dellums' staff. Congressman Gray hit the ground
running, became chair of the Democratic Caucus, majority whip, and
chair of the Budget Committee.
As the first African American in many of his positions, he was truly
a trailblazer and paved the way for many of us to follow.
As a congressional staffer, I worked closely with his staff, and
thank you so much for recognizing them. I worked with almost every one
of them who are here tonight, and we worked so closely on so many
issues, especially education, and his efforts with Congressman Dellums
to put the United States on the right side of history relating to
sanctions against then-racist apartheid South Africa.
Congressman Gray treated staff with respect, and he valued their
counsel and their hard work. And so I know that all of Congressman's
Gray's staff, former staff, those who are here, and others, mourn his
loss and send their sympathies.
In recalling so many wonderful memories of Bill, one stands out for
me like no other. In 1980, Congressman Bill Gray led a congressional
delegation to Sierra Leone in West Africa to participate in what was
then the Africa-America Institute's conference.
I was privileged to represent my boss, Ron Dellums, on this mission,
and Singleton McAllister, his staffer, was on that visit. Now, this was
my first visit to the land of my ancestors, so it was exciting, and it
was a moving visit for me.
On the plane were many dignitaries, including Ambassador Andrew
Young.
Now, the leader of congressional delegations had input into the menus
served on the plane. In Bill's typical way, he decided the delegation
should have soul food on the journey to Africa. We had fried chicken,
greens, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and peach cobbler.
We visited several countries on this trip, and I was amazed and so
proud of Congressman Gray's command of the issues in each country and
his diplomacy with African leaders.
I had the privilege to worship at the Bright Hope Baptist Church in
Philadelphia and learned what a great, prophetic, and Spirit-filled
preacher he was. And I also marveled at how every weekend he was in his
church preaching.
I had many memorable talks with him about religion and politics. He
was dedicated to his country, his church, his constituents and, most
importantly, his God, and he understood very clearly the importance of
the separation of church and state.
What an incredible human being he was. I have so many memories that I
could share, but in the interest of time, I cannot do that tonight.
But I just want to say that when Bill Gray learned I was running for
Congress in '98, he became one of my most consistent supporters and my
dear, dear friend. We had many conversations on the phone, many
meetings; and I'll always remember his words of encouragement and
wisdom.
I will miss the Honorable Congressman Reverend Bill Gray
tremendously. He touched my life in so many ways, and for that he will
always have a place in my heart.
May his legacy live. May he rest in peace.
Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I will place in the Record a number of
letters from local elected officials: State Senator LeAnna Washington,
State Senator Stack, and a number of State legislators, including my
own, Vanessa Brown, and J.P. Miranda.
Senate of Pennsylvania,
July 3, 2013.
Dear Members of the United States House of Representatives:
It was with sadness an shock that I received the news of the
untimely passing of The Honorable William H. Gray, III.
Former Congressman Gray was a leader to African-American
elected officials throughout Pennsylvania, but he was first
and foremost a native son of Philadelphia. There is no
elected official in the city of Philadelphia that has not
been mentored or inspired by Congressman Gray. His legacy--
that of serving his constituents through not only his
Christian faith, but as an elected official--and his
dedication to ensuring a brighter future for young African-
American students through the United Negro College Fund--will
not be one repeated in our lifetime.
My condolences to all those who knew, respected, and loved
Philadelphia's Bill Gray. He will truly be missed on many
levels.
Sincerely,
LeAnna M. Washington,
4th Senatorial District, Philadelphia &
Montgomery Counties.
____
Senate of Pennsylvania,
July 3, 2013.
To All Members of Congress: I was deeply saddened by the
passing of former Congressman, Rev. William H. Gray.
Congressman Gray served his country, his community and his
family with grace, honor and integrity. I will never forget
his spirit and how he treated everyone with kindness, respect
and dignity. He was a pillar in Washington and in the
community. He will be sorely missed.
Reverend Gray represented the Second Congressional District
of Pennsylvania and rose to become Majority Whip of the House
[[Page H4196]]
of Representatives, the first African American to earn that
post. My family has a long history in Philadelphia politics
and Bill Gray was always there for Philadelphia; standing up
for what is right and using his position of power for
equality. As the Chairman of the Budget committee,
Congressman Gray made sure Philadelphia was properly
represented on all issues. He was a pioneer in the
legislature, bridging the needs of many different people and
constituencies on many different issues. As a minister, Rev.
Gray preached about brotherhood and unity. As a father, Bill
was a gentle soul whose family always came first.
The memory of William H. Gray will live on not only in
written history, but in all of the lives that he touched.
Whether it was a foreign dignitary or a constituent, Bill
Gray was a gracious man, a caring man, and a leader. Our
lives are richer for having known him.
Sincerely,
Senator Mike Stack,
5th Senatorial District.
____
Pennsylvania Legislative Black
Caucus,
July 5, 2013.
Hon. Chakkah Fattah,
2301 Rayburn HOB,
Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Fattah: As you are aware, our nation lost
one of its greatest and most esteemed political figures last
week, former Congressman William H. Gray III. The many
superlatives and praises upon which is due to this statesman
pales in comparison to the overall impact and influence that
his life has had upon me personally, as well as upon the
Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus' (PLBC) membership
collectively.
One of the many lessons gleaned from former Congressman
Gray was that greatness is not born, but is instead nurtured,
fostered and developed. It is with this particular principle
that Congressman Gray inspired countless of our nation's
leaders, politicos and captains of industry to aspire for
greatness and success. However, most importantly, Congressman
Gray was keen on emphasizing that prosperity is devoid of
true meaning unless one is inclined to share that path to
success with others.
Congressman Gray's life, through his words and actions,
serves as a veritable testament to the unlimited possibility
of what can be achieved through faith, hard work and
determination, irrespective of race or ethnicity. Therefore,
the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus would like to take
this opportunity to formally recognize and honor his life and
innumerable contributions to the African-American community,
as well as to our society-at-large.
Sincerely,
Vanessa Lowery Brown,
Chairwoman, Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, State
Representative, 190th Legislative District.
____
House of Representatives,
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
Harrisburg, July 4, 2013.
Dear Speaker of the House: Thank you for allowing me the
opportunity to express my humble gratitude. I cannot tell you
enough on how much I appreciated having a great role model
during my life time such as the late former Congressman
William H. Gray III.
In every generation there is always some great person who
has contributed so much to society but what distinguished
Congressman Gray out from all the rest was not only did he
impact our generation but he also done it during some very
crucial and critical moments in history.
Congressman William H. Gray III has done many great things
as a leader for me and other individuals and for the
community as a whole. Growing up in northern Philadelphia it
was extremely an honor to have been able to have someone that
you could admire and respect as a leader and father figure.
Congressman Gray stood above all the rest for me because he
has help to open the doors to many opportunities; one in
particular was the supporting efforts that ended Apartheid in
South Africa in addition to his huge contribution and support
of education, especially towards the Negro College Fund which
has given many young men and women a chance to soar into
vibrant and productive leaders into society.
Again, I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to
express my condolences on behalf of the late former
Congressman William H. Gray III and let it be known that on
this day the 4th of July 2013, that he will never be
forgotten.
Sincerely,
J. P. Miranda,
State Legislator--197th District.
____
Legislative Reference Bureau
condolences
In the Senate,
Whereas, The Senate of Pennsylvania mourns the loss of the
Honorable William Herbert Gray III, a former member of the
United States House of Representatives, who passed away on
July 1, 2013, at the age of seventy-one; and
Whereas, Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on August 20,
1941, Mr. Gray was a graduate of Franklin and Marshall
College, Drew Theological Seminary and Princeton Theological
Seminary. He became the senior minister at the Bright Hope
Baptist Church in Philadelphia in 1972 and represented the
2nd Congressional District in the United States House of
Representatives from 1978 until 1991. Lauded as the first
African-American to serve as Majority Whip, Mr. Gray was also
the first to chair the House Budget Committee, during which
time he introduced an influential anti-apartheid bill.
President and Chief Executive Officer of the United Negro
College Fund from 1991 until 2004, he served as a special
advisor to the President and Secretary of State for Haitian
Affairs in 1994 and was named to the PoliticsPA list of
Pennsylvania's Top Political Activists. A cofounder of Gray
Loeffler LLC, Mr. Gray served as a Director of Dell, J.P.
Morgan Chase and Company, Rockwell International Corporation,
Pfizer, Visteon Corporation and Prudential Financial, Inc. He
retired from the Bright Hope Baptist Church in 2007; and
Whereas, Mr. Gray represented many things to many people,
among them a beloved family member, dedicated worker and
avowed community steward who generously gave of his heart and
time to enhance the quality of life of his family and
community; now therefore be it
Resolved, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania note with great sadness the passing of the
Honorable William Herbert Gray III, whose life greatly
benefited all those who lived, served and worked with him;
and extend heartfelt condolences to his wife, Andrea Dash
Gray; three sons, William IV, Justin and Andrew; and many
other family members and friends; and be it further
Resolved, That a copy of this document, sponsored by
Senators Shirley M. Kitchen, Lawrence M. Farnese, Jr.,
Vincent J. Hughes, Michael J. Stack, Christine M.
Tartaglione, LeAnna M. Washington and Anthony Hardy Williams,
be transmitted to Andrea Dash Gray.
____
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
Department of the Auditor General,
Harrisburg, PA, July 3, 2013.
It is fitting that we honor the life and accomplishments of
the late Congressman William H. Gray, III. As the first
African American to chair the House Budget Committee and
serve as Majority Whip in Congress, Congressman Gray was an
inspiration to other politicians across the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, as well as the nation. In these roles, he used
his skills as a negotiator and coalition builder to work with
members on many issues of importance, including spending cuts
that did not affect the most vulnerable in our nation.
Throughout his life, he was a staunch supporter of
strengthening our educational system; supporting black
colleges and universities and, during his time as President
of the United Negro College Fund, working diligently to help
minority students receive a college education.
His strong faith permeated his entire life and career.
Serving as a spiritual advisor to many, his combined role as
pastor and public servant allowed him to preach to both his
congregation and his constituents. He directed his life
towards service to God and country and he demonstrated it in
everything he did. Congressman Gray will be remembered for
his everlasting commitment to public service and empowering
people to reach new heights.
I am deeply saddened by the loss of this great man and
extend my condolences to his family and friends.
Eugene A. DePasquale,
Auditor General.
____
Tribute to William H. Gray, III
(By Ralph Nurnberger)
Former House Majority Whip William H. Gray, III, who passed
away on July 1 while visiting London, was my colleague in the
firm Gray Global, my tennis buddy for almost thirty years and
most important, my friend.
Three weeks before his fateful trip, Bill Gray's 97 year
old mother was able to meet President Barack Obama for the
first time. She told him that she never thought she would
live to see the day when an African American could be elected
President.
President Obama responded by telling her how much he
respected and admired her son. In this, he is not alone.
The key to understanding the life of this extraordinary man
was his sense of mission, essentially a commitment to helping
others and making the world a better and more peaceful place.
After graduating from Franklin and Marshall University and
earning Master of Divinity degrees at Drew University
Theological Seminary and Princeton Theological Seminary, Bill
became a minister at Union Baptist Church in Montclaire, New
Jersey. While pastoring at Union, Bill was also a professor
of religion and history at St. Peter's College. He later
taught at Jersey City State College, Montclair State, Eastern
Baptist Theological Seminary, and Temple University.
Bill spent thirty-five years as the Pastor of Bright Hope
Baptist Church in Philadelphia. He succeeded his father, who
had, in turn succeeded his father as the Pastor.
Shortly after assuming this pulpit, Martin Luther King, Jr.
advised Bill never to stop his work at the Church, regardless
of whatever else he might do in life. When the Church grew
and opened its new facility, Bill and his father; and King
and his father all preached on the same Sunday. This was the
only time that King and his father both preached at the same
place on the same day outside of Atlanta.
[[Page H4197]]
Bill never forgot King's admonition and continued his
leadership at the Church, going to Philadelphia to preach
almost every Sunday.
Bill was first elected to Congress in 1978 and served as
the Representative from the Second Congressional District of
Pennsylvania for thirteen years.
He was the first African American to head his Party's
Caucus in the House of Representatives; the first to Chair a
financial committee (Budget) in the House; and the highest
ranking African American in U.S. legislative history (to
date) when he became the Majority Whip. He still has the
distinction of being the highest ranking Member of the
Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation to serve in the House.
In 1988, his Party selected him to chair the Presidential
Platform writing committee.
Bill Gray's political accomplishments have been well
documented, but it is significant that he saw personal
achievements mainly as a means to enable him to help others.
In a 1991 interview with the New York Times, Gray stated that
``My concept of power is different from other people's. I
come from a background of ministry and education in which
power is the ability to impact on people's lives.''
Although he was fiercely partisan, Gray was able to work
with enough Republicans to secure passage of a budget
prepared by his committee; one which contained funding for
numerous social and educational programs.
Gray's finest moment in Congress came when he joined with
former Representatives Steve Solarz (D-NY) and Howard Wolpe
(D-MI) to draft a bill imposing sanctions on the apartheid
regime in South Africa. Gray was able to use an even tougher
sanctions bill introduced by Representative Ron Dellums (D-
CA) as leverage in negotiations with Senate conferees, which
resulted in both chambers accepting the Gray-Solarz-Wolpe
bill.
President Ronald Reagan vetoed this bill and gave a
nationally televised address to explain his actions. Speaker
Tip O'Neill (D-MA) then asked Gray to deliver the nationally
televised response to the President's veto message. Congress
subsequently overrode the veto, marking the first time that
any of Reagan's foreign policy vetoes had not been sustained.
The impact of this legislation was immediately felt in
South Africa, where the pro-apartheid government soon
collapsed and Nelson Mandela was freed from prison. When
Mandela later spoke to a joint session of Congress, Bill Gray
accompanied him to the podium. Mandela subsequently spoke to
Gray's congregation at Bright Hope Baptist Church.
Appropriately, Gray was part of the official United States
Delegation to attend Mandela's inauguration as President of
South Africa in 1994.
He was aware that many Jews played significant roles in the
Civil Rights movement and thus did all he could to improve
Black-Jewish relations. Together with George Ross, in 1985
Gray founded ``Operation Understanding'' an organization
designed to bring young Jewish and African Americans together
to promote respect, understanding and cooperation while
working to eradicate racism, anti-Semitism and all forms of
discrimination.
At the height of his political career, in the late 1980's
and early 90's, there was speculation that Gray would
eventually become Speaker of the House. Others encouraged him
to run for Governor or Senator from Pennsylvania. There was
even talk that he might become the first serious African
American Presidential candidate.
Gray surprised everyone when he announced that he would
leave Congress--and politics--in 1991, in mid-term, to become
the President and CEO of the United Negro College Fund.
He explained that: ``I can do more to help more people,
than I can even if I became Speaker.'' Between 1991 and 2004,
Gray raised over $2.6 billion in new funds for UNCF. Thus,
there are thousands of young people who would never have had
the opportunity to go to college if it were not for his
efforts and the quality of education offered at historically
Black Colleges and Universities has dramatically improved.
President Bill Clinton appointed Gray in 1994 to be Special
Advisor to the President on Haiti. Gray was able to help
promote stability, reduce the number of potential casualties
and restore the democratically elected government.
Gray served on a number of major corporate boards,
including Dell, Pfizer, Prudential Financial and Prudential
Insurance Company of America, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. John
Strangfeld, Prudential's Chairman and CEO stated: ``Bill was
a highly respected member of our board and a leader in all
aspects of his life--a preacher, a legislator, a businessman
and a board director.''
After retiring from UNCF, together with his son Justin,
Bill Gray founded a government relations and business
advocacy firm, now called Gray Global.
Gray spent the past years seeking to bring about a
resolution of the conflict concerning the status of the
Western Sahara region of Morocco. He supported a solution
initially proposed by the Clinton administration that the
Western Sahara should remain under Moroccan sovereignty but
that the residents be granted autonomy over their own
affairs. Gray was particularly concerned about the fate of
tens of thousands of refugees who are still ``warehoused'' in
camps on the Algerian side of the border by the Polisario
Front. Gray worked to secure freedom for these refugees,
currently living under horrible conditions in the Sahara
Desert.
It is significant that Bill Gray's most recent foreign
policy effort underscores his life-long commitment to assist
those in need, especially people who are denied basic human
rights and dignity.
Bill Gray was a decent and caring man, who spent his life
surrounded by a loving family and a wide range of friends and
admirers.
Mr. FATTAH. I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr.
Butterfield).
Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I thank you, Congressman Fattah, for convening this
Special Order this evening, and I thank you for doing so much for so
many.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my friend and great American,
William Herbert Gray, III.
I spoke by email today, Mr. Speaker, with a family friend in
Cincinnati, her name is Barbara Bond, whose deceased late husband,
LaVelle, was Bill's friend. She informed me that Bill's closest of
friends called him Herb, and that Herb always insisted on paying for
the meal and telling his friends where to sit at the dinner table.
Mr. Speaker, I first met Bill Gray many years ago. He was a dear
friend of a mutual friend, Attorney Ralph Stephens, of Raleigh, North
Carolina, who was also a minister and a lawyer. Bill and Ralph's
relationship was very deep. When Ralph passed away some years ago, Bill
came to Raleigh, consoled the family, and delivered the eulogy.
In fact, when Ralph's older brother, Dr. Claude Stephens, of
Fayetteville, passed away, Bill chartered a flight from Washington to
Fayetteville and then flew back to Washington. He was that type of
human being, compassionate and caring for his friends.
On Monday of last week, June 24, Bill Gray telephoned me to say that
he wanted me to meet the former Ambassador to Morocco. I agreed, and we
met at noon the following day in the Members' dining room here in the
Capitol for a delightful 1-hour meeting.
During the meeting, Bill reminisced about his days here in the House
of Representatives and talked about his work as majority whip. He
reminded me, Mr. Fattah, that he'd never lost a vote during his tenure.
But he went on to talk about how Democrats and Republicans worked
together on the big issues of that day and solved problems. And he
mused about how that approach to governance would be so valuable today.
Bill also reminded me that when I was first elected in 2004, he and
Andrea invited me to their Virginia home to meet CEO Michael Dell of
Dell, Incorporated.
Well, Mr. Speaker, as we departed from the lunch last week, Bill gave
me a big hug and said something that men generally don't say to other
men. He said to me, Butter, I love you, man, and we walked away.
Well, Bill Gray, we love you and will celebrate your life and your
work.
To Andrea and the entire Gray family, I extend to you my warmest
condolences as you reflect on the life and work of your loved one. May
God bless each of you.
Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentleman.
Bill Gray, for myself and my wife, for my parents, for tens of
thousands of Philadelphians, was just a wonderful human being who did
so much to help so many.
And I think it is appropriate that the Democratic leader has come to
the floor to address us on the occasion of recognizing the service of
someone whom she served with, and they were great friends. And so I
yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Democratic
leader.
Ms. PELOSI. I thank the gentleman from Philadelphia for yielding and
for giving us this opportunity to sing the praises of a great man,
Chairman Bill Gray, Democratic Whip Bill Gray.
Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege just a few weeks ago of receiving a
call from Bill Gray. And I said, oh, it was just out of the blue,
wanting to know how my family was doing, challenging my husband to
tennis, as always, telling him is he ready to get beaten by me, and
this or that.
He said, I just want to know how things are. And he asked me how
things were going here, just a call of friendship. And it was just so
remarkable to me that about 2 weeks later we had the word.
He told me he was going to Wimbledon, he was taking his sons to
[[Page H4198]]
Wimbledon. He was going to go. He loved tennis.
And then when we got the word, it was just so strange, and I felt
that God had really truly blessed me because I had that opportunity to
speak with him, just out of the blue and within a matter of weeks
before his passing.
I did have the privilege of serving with him. As I look around and
see all these much younger Members, maybe they didn't all serve with
him, but they knew of his great leadership for our country.
Anybody who did serve with him, or knew of the leadership of Bill
Gray, knew that he was, in a word, a giant, a giant of Philadelphia, a
giant of the Congress, a giant of our country. He was a leader and a
trailblazer, a proud Representative of the people of Philadelphia. He
just loved his district, a man who left his mark on the history of his
city.
His time in Congress was an extension of his family business, public
service, serving the community, acting on the values of his faith,
giving back to his neighbors and the less fortunate.
Others have spoken about how he made this choice. This is a man who
could have done anything in life. He had the talent. He had the
stamina. He had the energy, the values and the rest. He was a success
in anything he strove to do, but he chose the path that his family had
laid out for him, ministering to the needs of people.
In the House of Representatives, Congressman Gray will forever stand
as a first. He was the first African American to serve as chair of the
Budget Committee, a very big deal, the first African American to serve
as the majority whip in the House.
He sounded the alarm, not only about the injustices of apartheid in
South Africa, but about what America and Congress could do to end it.
He broadened the reach of his public service beyond Congress, helping
send more young people to college, as president and CEO of the United
Negro College Fund, and how excited he was about that.
He did everything with gusto, whether it was serving as a Member, as
a chairman, as the whip, and then to have his values be the focus of
his work at the United Negro College Fund.
To serve alongside Bill Gray, I'm sure all of my colleagues will
attest, was to be inspired by his passion and his commitment, by his
focus on the future, and by his belief in the common good. It was an
honor and privilege to know him as a colleague, a special privilege for
any of us who had that privilege to call him friend.
We only hope it is a comfort to his wife, Andrea, whom he adored. I
hope it is a comfort to Andrea and to William IV, to Justin, and to
Andrew, that so many people mourn their loss, are praying for them at
this sad time.
Well, he went doing what he enjoyed, at Wimbledon. Watching Wimbledon
all weekend, all I could think of was Bill Gray being there.
So many people loved him. So many people share the grief of the Gray
family. All I can say is that, knowing him over all of these years, he
lived life to the fullest.
{time} 2015
Though he left us too soon, what he packed into his years of life and
service and leadership was something so remarkable. So that's why I
thank the gentleman for recognizing Bill Gray and giving us the
opportunity to do so on the floor with the admiration and affection
that you have brought to this meeting this evening through all of the
voices of our colleagues.
I'm sure we'll be saying more and more about Bill Gray. He wasn't
into titles. He liked having the titles, but he liked the friendship of
being called Bill Gray.
Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentlelady, and I thank her for her
leadership in this House and her own extraordinary career that
continues as we go forward.
I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Watt).
Mr. WATT. Thank you, Mr. Fattah, for convening us here and for
coordinating this.
I'd like to rise and pay tribute to the memory of Bill Gray also.
Unlike our leader, I never had the pleasure of serving with Bill Gray.
Maybe people will wonder why so many people have flocked to the floor
to pay tribute to him. We put him in the same category that we put
Shirley Chisholm, with whom I never served, or George H. White, with
whom I never served, or many other people who came before us; because
we stand on their shoulders and recognize that, but for the
contributions that they made, we would not be here.
And I come because Bill Gray was a friend, even though I never served
with him. He regularly checked in with those of us who served just to
call and say hello and encourage us to stay committed to the task that
we are sent here to undertake. He regularly checked in with me because
he knew I also played tennis and loved tennis and that I'd been to
Wimbledon before. So I guess the great thing about it is that he died
in the middle of making a trip to do something and observe something
that he really loved--and with a member of his family.
I want to thank Representative Fattah for convening this Special
Order, and I extend my condolences to Bill Gray's family. We'll
remember him forever and ever. Amen.
Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentleman.
The Sunday after Bill Gray left Congress, he preached a sermon, where
he said that he was chasing his mission. And his mission wasn't money.
It wasn't being in Congress. It was serving people. And he was leaving
the Congress to go lead this fine scholarship organization, the UNCF.
He did an extraordinary thing in terms of convincing people of the
likes of Bill Gates to write a billion-dollar check at one sitting. No
one had ever gotten a check that large on behalf of young people in our
country who seek an education. Bill Gray had the gift of being a
Baptist preacher who was always optimistic.
I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota, Keith Ellison.
Mr. ELLISON. I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
Mr. Speaker, young people often say, I'm interested in politics; I'm
interested in public service. Who might I look at to model myself
after?
I can think of very few people who would be better than someone like
Mr. William Gray, Congressman Gray, Reverend Gray. He held so many
titles.
I did have the pleasure of meeting him. Of course, I never served
with him, but I did get to know him, and I got to know him in a strange
way. He just called me up at my office. I said, Bill Gray is calling
me? I was a brand new Member. I was just happy to be here. But Bill
Gray thought, Hey, you're a Member of Congress. I'm welcoming you to
this institution, and I want to have a relationship with you.
I sat down with him, got to know him, and he actually spent his time
and gave me the honor of his presence on many occasions. I thought to
myself, Bill Gray is an excellent role model because:
One, he has a spirit of optimism. He was always, whenever I was
around him, happy, smiling, upbeat, and believing it can be done;
Two, he was never too important--though he was very important--to
give his time to people. No matter who those folks might be, even a
freshman Congressman like I was when he called me;
Three, he's a person who had a certain sense of self-possession. He
was sure that a college education for kids was right. And because he
was sure that he was right about it, his enthusiasm for the subject
kind of infected people around him it. It doesn't surprise me that Bill
Gates would write the check, because he's talking to Bill Gray.
And so if you really want to be successful, look and study Bill Gray.
None of us are going to be here forever. May we all leave the legacy of
a great man like Bill Gray.
Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentleman.
It was said by Ben Hooks on one occasion that we're all passing one
by one and we should not get caught with our work undone. So Bill got
his work done.
I yield to the gentlelady from the great State of New York, Yvette
Clarke, who was born on the best day on the calendar. We share
birthdays. But she is much more beautiful and brilliant than I.
Ms. CLARKE. To my colleague, Congressman Chaka Fattah, it was a great
day, November 21.
But let me just say this: I want to thank you for your leadership. It
is very appropriate that we're here on the
[[Page H4199]]
House floor, a place where Mr. Gray's power was most profoundly felt,
and that you, being his successor in office, would lead us through
what, for many of us, is a day of celebration and commemoration of his
life.
On behalf of the people of the Ninth Congressional District, I'm here
to express our most profound condolences to the family of Congressman
Bill Gray and, as I've said, to celebrate his life and the legacy that
he's left for all of us.
Trailblazer, man of God, outstanding husband, father, preacher,
skilled negotiator, consensus builder, majority whip, and servant
leader, these are just a few of the words that describe the Honorable
William H. Gray.
As a pioneering Member of Congress, William H. Gray III was an
industrious public servant who worked diligently to provide equal
rights, education, and service to the people of his district and,
indeed, our Nation. He was a trailblazer for so many who have followed
in his footsteps in the House of Representatives, including myself, and
paved the way for many more to follow.
Congressman Gray represented the Second District of Pennsylvania from
1979 to 1991. He was the first African American to become majority whip
of the House of Representatives in 1989, the third-ranking House
leadership position. He also served as the first African American to
serve as the chair of the Budget Committee of the House of
Representatives and was a member of the House Appropriations
Subcommittee on Transportation and Foreign Operations.
Congressman Gray, along with many of the CBC at that time, led the
effort back in the mid-1980s to end U.S. support of apartheid. When he
retired from the House of Representatives, he went on to become
president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund, where he led the
efforts to raise more than $2.3 billion for HBCUs, which was
extraordinary.
I'm sure my colleagues have recounted over and over and over all that
he has done. I'm just putting an exclamation point because I think it's
worth repeating that the people of this Nation need to know what an
outstanding servant, Congressman, and preacher Congressman Bill Gray
III was. We miss him dearly.
He was passionate about education and believed it was the greatest
tool towards a brighter future. I believe my colleague, Congressman
Fattah, and he must have melded DNA--or maybe it's a Philly thing. I
don't know. But certainly I know that this is the legacy that he has
left for Congressman Fattah, for all of us to follow.
Congressman Gray hails from a long lineage of preachers. Before
coming to Congress, Congressman Gray served as the pastor of Bright
Hope Baptist Church in north Philadelphia, where he served as pastor
for 35 years. He was a real renaissance man who had been able to manage
several careers throughout his lifetime. He succeeded his father,
William H. Gray, Jr., who preached there for 22 years, and his
grandfather, William H. Gray, Sr., who served there for 24 years. While
in Congress, he returned to Philadelphia on weekends just to preach. He
leaves an amazing legacy that will never be forgotten and that will be
a part of our Nation's history for generations to come.
During this time of grief, I hope that his family and all of us will
find solace in our memories and comfort will be bestowed upon the
family and loved ones at this time of their bereavement. I will
continue to keep the family and his parishioners and those who hold him
dear in my prayers and hope that the Lord will continue to be with them
at this time.
Mr. FATTAH. Let me thank the gentlelady.
I yield to my fraternity brother and colleague from the great
Commonwealth of Virginia.
November 21 is a great day.
Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair would remind the Members that the
rules do not allow references to occupants of the gallery.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank my Alpha brother for
yielding.
It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of our Alpha
Phi Alpha brother, the Honorable William Herbert Gray III, on July 1,
2013. My thoughts and prayers are with Reverend Gray's family during
this difficult time.
Reverend Gray was a public servant in the truest sense of the word.
He found many ways to effect change in the lives of the citizens of
Philadelphia and, later, citizens across the country and the world.
After his father stepped down as senior pastor of Bright Hope Baptist
Church, he succeeded him and served as senior pastor for more than 35
years.
Well-known as a consensus-builder in the Philadelphia community,
Reverend Gray leveraged those relationships into an opportunity to
represent the Second Congressional District of Pennsylvania and the
U.S. House of Representatives. During his tenure, he rose to the
influential positions of chairman of the Budget Committee and majority
whip of the House of Representatives. He was the first African American
ever to assume the position of majority whip. He wielded these
positions of power to advance an agenda of social justice for all
Americans and social justice for those who suffered under the apartheid
in South Africa.
After his departure from Congress, he found opportunities to further
advocate for social equality through his service as president and CEO
of the United Negro College Fund. During his tenure, he helped raise
over $2.3 billion so students could continue their dream of affording
and achieving a college education.
He will be missed by his former colleagues in the House of
Representatives and the many people who were positively affected by his
life's work. He will also be missed by his congregation at Bright Hope
Baptist Church. His dedication to his congregation was always apparent,
as evidenced by his continued preaching throughout his tenure in
Congress and his tenure with the United Negro College Fund.
Reverend Gray was a shining example of what it means to be a public
servant, and his strong, influential voice will be sorely missed.
Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentleman.
{time} 2030
There are many who are honored to serve in this House. There are few
who honor the House through their service. Bill Gray honored the House
through his service.
But I knew Bill Gray as a preacher from north Philadelphia. He
constructed the Philadelphia Mortgage Plan, the Philadelphia Insurance
Plan, the guard against red-lining neighborhoods and green-lining
neighborhoods in north Philadelphia and northwest Philadelphia. I saw
him deal with the challenges of bringing resources for transportation
and infrastructure and job training into Philadelphia as a member of
the Appropriations Committee--which no one actually normally talks
about. They talk about his chairmanship of the Budget Committee, but as
an appropriator, he did a great deal to move our country forward.
So as I move to close, I want to thank his family for sharing Bill
Gray with the rest of the world. Not just here in the Congress, but all
around the world Bill Gray worked to make a difference.
And I want to thank his church family. Because on this Saturday, when
he's funeralized, there will be people flying in from all over. But the
people who he married and baptized, the people who he consoled on their
sick beds, to them, he was their pastor.
For those who served with him in the House, they learned a great deal
from Bill Gray's service here, which is that it's not the length or the
number of terms, it's what we do when we have the power to make a
difference. He was truly an impact player.
As a tennis player, he had a great, aggressive net game. He played
aggressively, and he always played to win. I thank the House and I
thank my colleagues for taking out this time to recognize his service,
his life, his legacy, and his leadership.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank my colleague,
Mr. Fattah, for leading the CBC's celebration of Congressman William H.
Gray, III's life and legacy. Our nation has lost a strong community
leader and devoted public servant.
Elected to the House of Representatives in 1978, Congressman Bill
Gray proudly served the citizens of Pennsylvania's Second Congressional
District for over ten remarkable
[[Page H4200]]
years. As a Member of Congress, he was a tireless advocate for the
people of Philadelphia and a pioneer for a new generation of African-
American elected officials.
He was a trailblazer who fought to protect the most vulnerable
individuals in his community, in our country, and around the world.
During his tenure in Congress, Congressman Gray later became Chairman
of the Democratic Caucus and Majority Whip for the party. With these
Leadership positions, he became the highest-ranking African American
ever to serve in Congress. His congressional record and service
continues to inspire us all. During the four years he served as Chair
of the House Budget Committee, Congressman Gray was the chief point man
in budget negotiations between the Democratic Congress and the Reagan
Administration. He was no stranger to reaching across the aisle to
build consensus and work in a bipartisan manner.
He wielded his Budget Committee gavel for the good of the
international community pressing for more economic aid for Africa and
leading the critique of South African apartheid.
As a staunch supporter of education, he was a key advocate for
strengthening and improving our nation's schools.
Upon his retirement from Congress, Representative Gray became
president and chief executive officer of the United Negro College Fund
from 1991 to 2004, where he led the Fund to new fund-raising records
while cutting costs and expanding programs and services.
Congressman Gray was truly transformative for our communities and
especially for our young people.
In 1994, President Clinton appointed Congressman Gray as a special
advisor to Haiti and in that role he assisted President Clinton in
developing and carrying out policy to restore democracy to Haiti. Due
to his service, in 1995, the Congressman received the Medal of Honor
from the Haitian government.
Congressman Gray's lifelong commitment to his community, to public
service, and to his family was truly admirable and inspirational. To
his wife, Andrea, his three sons and his many grandchildren, know that
you are in our hearts and our prayers. And, I say to you, celebrate
Bill's life, because he lived a life that was full of honor and
integrity. Not only did he inspire each one of us with his service, he
inspired the Nation.
I am truly privileged to be able to stand here and honor Congressman
Gray.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, Bill Gray lived the very definition of a
fulfilled life--full of family, friends, history making as a public man
and above all, as a public servant. The first African American House
Majority Whip, third in rank in the House, first African American chair
of the House Budget Committee, Member of the House from Pennsylvania,
author of the 1985 and 1986 South Africa sanction bills, a storied
leader who broke fundraising records as the Chief Executive Officer of
the United Negro College Fund, and pastor of Bright Hope Baptist Church
for 25 years. At his premature death, Bill was co-chairman of his own
consulting firm, GrayLoeffler and Corp.
However, the highlights of Bill's life of public service did not
fully define the man. Bill Gray left the Congress before I was elected
and many were convinced that he would become the first African American
Speaker of the House, had he chosen to remain in Congress. However, you
did not have to be a member of Congress to get to know Bill Gray, so
wide- ranging were his contributions, activities and his friendships.
Bill was gifted with an agile mind, a magnetic personality, and a
generous spirit. The shock, regret, and profound sadness Bill's loss
leaves are mitigated only by the certain knowledge of a life fully,
richly, and generously lived.
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, today we honor someone who truly embodied
what it means to be a ``public servant,'' former Congressman Bill Gray.
Whether it was during his time as a professor, as a Member of Congress,
or as President of the United Negro College Fund, Congressman Gray
spent his entire life selflessly serving others.
He exemplified the characteristics of a true leader and was a model
for all of us here in this chamber. More than anything, Congressman
Gray loved Philadelphia, he loved the people he served, and every day
he dedicated himself to making the lives of those less fortunate just a
little bit better.
Congressman Gray's affinity for education began long before he became
President of the United Negro College Fund, when he was teaching in my
home State of New Jersey. As a professor of history and religion at St.
Peter's College, Jersey City State College, and Montclair State
College, he helped change the lives of hundreds of young men and women
throughout my district.
This passion for education continued throughout his life as
Congressman Gray became a leading advocate in changing the American
educational system.
To Congressman Gray, adversity was a welcome challenge. He broke down
racial barriers as the first African-American Majority Whip Leader and
Chairman of the House Budget Committee. He also led the charge to help
end apartheid.
These remarkable achievements paved the way for me and other African
American leaders to follow.
Despite his incredible accomplishments in Congress, Congressman Gray
never stopped serving and always believed he could do more.
Returning to his true passion--education--Congressman Gray became
President of the United Negro College Fund. There, he remarkably helped
raise more than half of UNFC's $1.6 billion in funds to help open the
door for thousands of African-American students who merely had a dream
and the drive to go to college. With Congressman Gray's help, those
dreams have been turned into reality.
I am incredibly grateful for Congressman Gray's tireless years of
civil service and for being a model of true leadership. My condolences
and prayers go out to his family and the people of Philadelphia during
this difficult time. Congressman Gray will certainly be missed, but has
left a mark on this Nation.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay
tribute to a remarkable man, a former Committee Chair, Majority Whip of
this distinguished body and an outstanding American, Congressman Bill
Gray.
In 1972, Congressman Gray succeeded his father to serve as the Senior
Pastor of Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia, a position he
held until 2007. It was through the church and his family where he
first learned the benevolence of kindness and value of public service.
Congressman Gray, first elected to Congress from Pennsylvania's 22nd
District in 1979, worked tirelessly to promote the civil rights of all
people. His dedication to this cause extended further than the
boundaries of our country and touched countless lives. In Congress,
Congressman Gray was instrumental in passing legislation aimed at
ending apartheid practices in South Africa.
Throughout his tenure in Congress, Congressman Gray achieved many
firsts. Most notably, he rose to become Chairman of the Budget
Committee, a first by an African American. He also served as Majority
Whip, the top three job in the House leadership and the highest
position occupied by an African American elected official up to that
point.
Congressman Gray was a strong advocate for educational policies, and
later led the United Negro College Fund, which supports scholarship
programs for African American students and more than three dozen
private historically black colleges. In 1999, Congressman Gray helped
to secure a $1 billion pledge from the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation for scholarships to be administered by the fund. This is
believed to be the largest single act of philanthropy in the history of
American higher education.
I had many opportunities to personally speak with Congressman Gray.
Congressman Gray was an advocate of strong family values, as he
displayed in his marriage with his wife, Andrea, and three sons,
William IV, Justin and Andrew.
Mr. Speaker, it is incumbent upon this body to acknowledge
Congressman Gray's achievements and life of public service which have
improved our Nation.
On behalf of the people of the 30th Congressional District of Texas
and the United States Congress, I extend my heartfelt sympathy and
celebrate his life of service.
____________________