Date: 2014-07-28
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise is strong support of H.R. 4838. which designates the railway station located at 2955 Market St. in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania. commonly known as the "30th Street Station." as the "William H. Gray III 30th Street Station." This is a fitting tribute to the late Congressman William H. "Bill" Gray Ill. who was a legislator. a politician. a pastor. a teacher. a public servant. and a largerthanlife patriot. Congressman Bill Gray was born on August 20. 1943 in Baton Rouge. Louisiana. but he spent most of his childhood in Florida. where his father was president of Florida Normal and Industrial College. which later became Florida A & M University. Congressman Gray. like his father. was a strong supporter of education and leading advocate for strengthening Americas educational systems. He earned several degrees: a bachelors degree in 1963 from Franklin and Marshall College. a Masters of Divinity in 1966 from Drew Theological Seminary. and another Masters in Church History from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1970. Additionally. he was awarded more than 65 honorary degrees from Americas leading colleges and universities. At an early age. he accepted his calling to become a preacher. and from that day. he proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus in the church. in the community. and even in the halls of Congress. His faith was unshakable. It was evident that he lived his life based upon what he preached. Congressman Gray was the pastor of Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia for more than 25 years. a church pastored by his father and grandfather. Elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1978. Congressman Gray was a persistent voice for equal rights. educational access. and opportunity for all persons. in the United States and abroad. In 1985. Congressman Gray became the first African American in history to chair the House Budget Committee. where he introduced H. R. 1460. the "AntiApartheid Action Act of 1985." which prohibited loans and new investment in South Africa and imposed sanctions on imports and exports with South Africa. In 1989. Congressman Gray was elected by his colleagues Chairman of the Democratic Caucus and later that year was elected Majority Whip. As the first African American to hold these two senior leadership positions. Bill Grays success inspired a generation of African American elected officials. In 1991. Congressman Gray resigned from Congress to become the president and chief executive officer of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). Approximately onehalf of the more than $1.6 billion raised in UNCFs history was collected during Congressman Grays tenure. During the Clinton Administration. Congressman Gray served as President Clintons special adviser on Haiti. As a result of his commitment to Haiti. Congressman Gray and President Clinton received the Medal of Honor from Haitian President JeanBertrand Aristide. Mr. Speaker. there is only one word to convey the sweep and scope of Congressman Grays life of service: giant. He was a giant of Philadelphia. of the Congress. and in the history of our country. By designating "30th Street Station" to "William H. Gray 30th Street Station." the American people. not just the residents of Philadelphia. will be reminded of Congressman Grays illustrious legacy of public service to his city. his state. his country. and the world. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting passage of H.R. 2430.