[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 99 (Thursday, July 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1049]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         CELEBRATING BILL GRAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, July 8, 2013

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor my friend and 
Congressman, Bill Gray. Reverend Gray was an historic figure in 
Philadelphia and in this country. His contributions to this Nation are 
well known to all of us. So, I'd like to take a moment and just focus 
on his impact in my own life.
  Bill represented my community in the House for many years. He was one 
of my most important mentors and supporters as I rose through the ranks 
in Philadelphia politics. I was a ward leader in his district and was 
proud to return his support every two years. I leaned on Bill for his 
wise counsel on how to serve my constituents. He helped me to be a 
better ward leader, a better party chair, and a better congressman. But 
the best counsel I got from Bill was not professional advice. His best 
advice was about how to be a better father and a better husband while 
doing this job. He demonstrated that philosophy by his close business 
relationship with his son, who was by his side at almost every meeting.
  During our frequent dinners, Bill would make sure I understood that I 
had to get back to Philadelphia as much as I can. He told me to put my 
family and my neighborhood first and to make sure that I didn't ever 
forget why I came to Washington in the first place.
  Bill never lost his love for Philadelphia. He and I were working 
together until the last weeks of his life. He was doing all he could to 
help our Free Libraries, to build jobs at Comcast and to protect the 
people of his beloved North Philadelphia.
  Mr. Speaker, Philadelphia, this country and this House will be much 
poorer for Bill Gray's passing. I urge my colleagues to join the entire 
Pennsylvania delegation in honoring him today.

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