[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 106 (Friday, June 16, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY DR. WILLIAM E. SPRIGGS

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 16, 2023

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and legacy of my late friend, Dr. William E. ``Bill'' Spriggs, who 
passed away on June 6, 2023. Serving as both the Economics Department 
Chair at Howard University and as Chief Economist for the AFL-CIO, Bill 
was a champion for working people and economic justice. His legacy will 
live on in the hearts and minds of those of us that had the opportunity 
to learn from and work with him over the years.
  Bill was born to World War II veterans and he continued their public 
service through his years of work in the federal government. He served 
as the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Policy during the Obama 
Administration, and before that he served in the Clinton Administration 
in a variety of roles. Bill graduated from Williams College with a 
bachelor's degree in economics and political science and then attended 
graduate school at the University of Wisconsin, where he earned a 
master's degree and doctorate in economics. This was at a time when 
there were very few Black Ph.D.s in economics, and he maintained that 
trailblazing spirit throughout his life and career.
  Bill was steadfast in his commitment to uplifting working people 
through economic policy. He was focused on many issues, including 
education, minimum wage, and workplace safety and he was particularly 
passionate about closing racial disparities in the labor market. His 
work highlighted how people of color, particularly Black Americans, 
were disproportionately lower income in our country, and he believed 
economic policy makers had an obligation to address these inequities. 
At times, he spoke the uncomfortable truth. For example, Bill bluntly 
stated that ``the reason that racist policies have continued to exist 
is that racism involves an unexamined set of assumptions.''
  This was quite evident during my first term in Congress as we debated 
the 1994 Crime Bill, and I looked to Bill's scholarship to resist 
draconian, slogan-driven legislation. Many people were trying to codify 
tough-on-crime slogans and soundbites, such as ``you do the adult 
crime, you do the adult time,'' or ``three strikes and you're out.'' 
Bill steadfastly researched and presented evidence of how programs like 
Head Start, after school programs and other prevention and intervention 
strategies did more to effectively reduce future criminal behavior than 
the slogans and soundbites.
  On a personal note, Bill and I shared both a personal and 
professional bond. I first met Bill while serving in the Virginia 
General Assembly, when he was a professor at Norfolk State University. 
We were both admirers of the Attucks Theater on Church Street in 
Norfolk, Virginia that was noted for its unique architecture designed 
by an African American architect and financed by a Black bank in 1919. 
Bill's work has significantly influenced how I approach policymaking, 
especially in my role as the former Chairman and current Ranking Member 
of the Committee on Education and the Workforce. I had the honor of 
calling him a friend, and I can attest to his personal kindness and 
fundamental good nature.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my condolences to his wife, Jennifer, 
his son, William, his loved ones, and everyone else who was influenced 
by his work.

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