William H. Gray III facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill Gray
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| House Majority Whip | |
| In office June 15, 1989 – September 11, 1991 |
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| Leader | Tom Foley |
| Preceded by | Tony Coelho |
| Succeeded by | David Bonior |
| Chair of the House Democratic Caucus | |
| In office January 3, 1989 – June 15, 1989 |
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| Leader | Jim Wright Tom Foley |
| Preceded by | Dick Gephardt |
| Succeeded by | Steny Hoyer |
| Chair of the House Budget Committee | |
| In office January 3, 1985 – January 3, 1989 |
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| Preceded by | James R. Jones |
| Succeeded by | Leon Panetta |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 2nd district |
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| In office January 3, 1979 – September 11, 1991 |
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| Preceded by | Robert N. C. Nix Sr. |
| Succeeded by | Lucien E. Blackwell |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Herbert Gray III
August 20, 1941 Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | July 1, 2013 (aged 71) London, England, UK |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Andrea Dash |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Franklin and Marshall College (BA) Drew University (MDiv) Princeton Theological Seminary (ThM) |
William Herbert Gray III (born August 20, 1941 – died July 1, 2013) was an American politician. He was a member of the Democratic Party. Gray represented Pennsylvania's 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1979 to 1991.
He also led the House Budget Committee from 1985 to 1989. From 1989 to 1991, he served as the House Majority Whip. This role means he helped gather votes for his party's laws. In 1991, he left Congress to become the president of the United Negro College Fund. He worked there until 2004.
As an African American leader, he was one of the highest-ranking members in the House when he left. He was also a minister in Philadelphia.
Contents
Early Life and Education
William H. Gray III was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He grew up in St. Augustine, Florida. His father was the president of Florida Normal and Industrial Institute. This school later became Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
Later, his family moved to North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Gray finished high school at Simon Gratz High School. He then went to Franklin & Marshall College. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1963. He continued his studies at Drew Theological Seminary. There, he received a master's degree in divinity in 1966. In 1970, he earned another master's degree in theology from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Political Career and Achievements
In 1972, Gray became the senior minister at Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia. He was elected to represent Philadelphia in the United States House of Representatives in 1978. He served the Pennsylvania's 2nd congressional district until 1991.
Leading Roles in Congress
Gray made history as the first African-American to lead the House Budget Committee. He also became the first African-American to serve as the Majority Whip (1989–1991).
Fighting Apartheid
As the head of the Budget Committee, Gray worked to fight Apartheid in South Africa. Apartheid was a system of racial separation and discrimination. He introduced a bill (H.R. 1460) that stopped loans and new investments in South Africa. It also put limits on trade with South Africa. This bill was very important for the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986.
Leaving Congress for Education
In 1991, Gray unexpectedly left Congress. He became the president of the United Negro College Fund. This organization helps students attend college. He led the fund from 1991 to 2004.
Other Public Service
In 1994, Gray served as a special advisor to the President and Secretary of State for Haitian affairs. He helped with important issues related to Haiti. He was also recognized as one of "Pennsylvania's Top Political Activists."
Business and Community Work
Outside of politics, Gray was also a successful businessman. He served on the boards of several large companies. These included Dell, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Prudential Financial Inc., Rockwell International Corporation, Visteon Corporation, and Pfizer. He retired from Bright Hope Baptist Church in 2007.
Personal Life
William Gray was married to Andrea Dash. They had three sons together. He was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Gray passed away on July 1, 2013, in London. He was there to attend the Wimbledon tennis tournament.
Awards and Honors
In 1997, William Gray received the Four Freedom Award for the Freedom of Worship. This award honors people who promote human rights.
In 2014, President Barack Obama signed a law to honor Gray. It renamed Philadelphia's 30th Street Station to William H. Gray III 30th Street Station. This is a major train station in Philadelphia.
Images for kids
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Portrait of Gray in the Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
See also
