[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 204 (Thursday, December 3, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H6055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          FAREWELL TO CONGRESS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Clay) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my farewell remarks as a 
Member of the people's House. And while I will be sad to leave this 
historic place, I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to serve 
Missouri's First Congressional District for two decades and to have 
been blessed with the friendship of so many colleagues.
  Mr. Speaker, I have given my best because my constituents deserve 
nothing less. I learned that vital lesson about public service from my 
best adviser and my personal hero, my dad, former Congressman Bill 
Clay. The truth is none of my success would have been possible without 
my remarkable family.
  I thank the rock of our family, my mother, Carol, and my devoted and 
talented sisters, Vickie and Michelle.
  Mr. Speaker, I also thank my children, Carol and Will. No Member 
serves unto themselves. Families also sacrifice greatly.
  Carol and Will, you all have made me extremely proud. You carry 
yourselves with such dignity, poise, and character. There is no greater 
joy I have than being your father. Thank you for being my greatest and 
best legacy.

  To my wonderful wife, Pat, I could not have selected a better partner 
to share in my post-congressional career. Your love and optimism keep 
my life balanced and exhilarated. I so look forward to our days to 
come.
  Mr. Speaker, of course, the best part of being a Member of Congress 
has been helping tens of thousands of constituents solve issues with 
the Federal Government. None of that would have been possible without 
my dedicated and compassionate staff over the years: Patricia, Sheila, 
Virginia, Sandy, Ishmael, Jasmina, Sean, Craig, Percy, Adam, Marvin, 
Richard, Les, Mark, Lou, Brian, Michelle, Brittany, Josh, Pauline, 
Perre, Samantha, Sherry, Tony, Bill, Frank, Erica, Matt, Rico; my 
communications director, Steven Engelhardt; and the late Alyson 
Singfield and the late Dottie Ross.
  I also thank an exceptional American who has devoted 48 years of 
public service to the U.S. House, my remarkable constituent services 
director, Edwilla Massey.
  I thank my devoted executive assistant and scheduler, Karyn Long. 
Karyn is family. She always went above and beyond for me, and I am 
forever grateful.
  I also especially thank all my chiefs of staff: Harriet Grigsby, 
Darryl Piggee, and Yvette Cravins.
  In the book of Matthew, chapter 25, verses 36-40, the Scriptures 
read:

       When I was naked, you clothed Me. When I was sick, you 
     visited Me. And when I was in prison, you came to Me. The 
     righteous answered, ``Lord, when did we see You hungry, 
     thirsty, clothed You, or in prison visited?'' And the King 
     answered them, ``Truly I say to you, as you did it to the 
     least of these my brothers, you did it to Me.''

  Mr. Speaker, these Scriptures have been a guidepost for my career in 
public service. Over my 10 terms, I have fearlessly advocated for the 
permanent interest of African Americans and other unheard voices. I 
have had many legislative achievements in this body, and I thank all of 
my colleagues who assisted me in doing as the Scriptures noted, 
``caring for the least of these.''
  Mr. Speaker, in my remaining time, I highlight a few victories.
  For 14 years, I hosted the Clay Career Fair at St. Louis' HBCU 
Harris-Stowe State University, which connected thousands of jobseekers 
with good-paying jobs, providing economic stability.
  Creating jobs and economic development was a priority for me. We were 
able to build the new $120 million National Archives administration 
center in North St. Louis County.
  The greatest economic victory for North St. Louis was the bipartisan 
effort to build the headquarters of the National Geospatial-
Intelligence Agency. That $1.7 billion project is the largest single 
Federal investment in St. Louis' history, of which I am extremely 
proud.
  We have also built hundreds of units of new housing. We have also 
expanded organ and tissue donation registry.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the legacy and work of Missouri's First 
Congressional District.
  May God bless you all.

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