Political Quotes

“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.…”