[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 98 (Wednesday, July 10, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1040-E1041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CELEBRATING BILL GRAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, July 8, 2013

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize former Congressman 
William H. Gray III, who suddenly passed away last week in London. As 
politicians, we all have certain people that we looked up to as role 
models and mentors so that we could carry out our duties in a dignified 
manner. For myself, I had my father, former Congressman Bill Clay, and 
Mr. Gray. During my youth, I served as a doorman for the House of 
Representatives where I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Gray on 
numerous occasions. Over time, I had developed profound respect for Mr. 
Gray. He was a man that had a sincere interest in the concerns of his 
constituents and a man that fought for minorities across the country 
during a time when racial tensions were still high.
  Mr. Gray was elected to the Congress in 1978, representing 
Pennsylvania's 2nd Congressional District. Many remember Mr. Gray for 
his quick rise within the Democratic Party. From 1985 to 1989, Mr. Gray 
was the chairman of the House Budget Committee--the first African 
American to do so. He used his power as chairman to influence 
legislation and economic sanctions against the apartheid regime of 
South Africa, which sparked a close friendship between him and Nelson 
Mandela. In 1989, he was the first African American to serve as the 
Majority Whip and many saw this as his stepping stone to becoming the 
first African American Speaker of the House.
  Aside from the powerful roles that he assumed in Congress, Mr. Gray 
is remembered most for his contributions to the city of Philadelphia, 
through his preaching and leadership. Since 1972, Mr. Gray served as 
the pastor at Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Even while 
serving in Congress, Mr. Gray never lost sight of his role as the 
spiritual leader of his community. On numerous occasions, Mr. Gray 
would say, ``First and foremost, I am a Baptist preacher.'' Through his 
leadership in Congress, Mr. Gray secured needed funding for 
Philadelphia's transportation and school systems. His success in 
Congress was secured by his ability to reach across party lines in 
order to build strong bipartisan coalitions.
  Mr. Gray's story began at Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia. 
One day, Mr. Gray's father was invited to speak to the students. Before 
taking the stage, the principal told Mr. Gray's father, ``Don't worry, 
you can keep it short; these kids aren't going anywhere.'' His father 
replied, ``I don't know about these other kids, but I know one kid who 
is going somewhere.'' His father's intuition proved to be more than 
accurate. A gifted basketball player,

[[Page E1041]]

Mr. Gray accepted a scholarship to play at Franklin and Marshall 
College. After receiving his bachelor's degree, he went on to receive 
master's degrees from Drew Theological Seminary and Princeton 
Theological Seminary as well as spending time abroad studying at Oxford 
University in England. Education was held in a high regard to Mr. Gray. 
During the prime of his political career, Mr. Gray resigned from 
Congress to assume a ``higher calling'' as president of the United 
Negro College Fund. While many politicians abruptly resign in light of 
scandal, Mr. Gray resigned in order to ``open the door to higher 
education for a million more black men and women.'' During his time as 
president, Mr. Gray successfully raised over $2 billion for the UNCF.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my colleagues of the Congressional Black 
Caucus and on behalf of Congressmen, past and present that were 
influenced by Mr. Gray's leadership, I would like to express my 
gratitude for his service to minorities, Congress, and to the United 
States of America. Thank you.

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