SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 91
In Memory
of
William H. Gray III
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of William H. Gray III, who died July 1,
2013, at the age of 71; and
WHEREAS, A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Bill Gray
graduated from Franklin and Marshall College and earned divinity
degrees from Drew Theological Seminary and Princeton Theological
Seminary; he succeeded his father as pastor of Bright Hope
Baptist Church in Philadelphia in 1972 and remained pastor until
2007; and
WHEREAS, He was elected to the United States House of
Representatives in 1978, where he served as chair of the powerful
Budget Committee and was the first African American in the 20th
century to become majority whip; his many legislative
achievements included a bill that imposed sanctions on South
Africa and served as a precursor to the Comprehensive
Anti-Apartheid Act; and
WHEREAS, He left Congress in 1991 to lead the United Negro
College Fund, and during his tenure, the organization was able to
raise more than $2.3 billion for black colleges and universities;
he was later tapped by President Bill Clinton to serve as a
special advisor on Haiti, and he founded Gray Global Advisors, a
business and consulting firm; and
WHEREAS, A man of courage, integrity, and strength, he was
a tireless advocate for his constituents and a political
trailblazer, and his wisdom, his leadership capabilities, and
his enthusiasm for public service and helping others will not be
forgotten; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby extend sincere
condolences to the bereaved family of William H. Gray III; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of William H. Gray III.
Ellis
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on July 25, 2013, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate