Norton Statement on the Passing of Former Representative William H. Gray III

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today expressed her personal sadness upon hearing of the passing of her friend former Representative William H. Gray III, the first African American Majority Whip of the House and first African American Chair of the House Budget Committee. Norton's statement follows.

"Bill Gray managed to make as much history as he made friends, in a life that will be remembered for both. Bill, who was an ordained minister, put together all the ingredients for a successful politician – a commanding speaker, an agile mind, an uncanny way with people, a restless energy and principled activism. Bill generously lavished attention on his friends, his congregation and his constituents. I was not in the Congress when he served and resigned, but Bill had many friends outside of the chamber, like me. I remember being disappointed when he left Congress because Bill had what it would have taken to be Speaker of the House. Although Bill Gray's life was cut short, he surely knew that he had packed enough history, accomplished enough good work and made enough friends to make anyone know he had lived a uniquely worthy life."

Published: July 2, 2013