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The Honorable William H. Gray III represented Pennsylvania’s second Congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives between 1979 and 1991. He rose to leadership as Chair of the House Budget Committee, and was then elected House Majority Whip, the third highest ranking position in the House. To date, he remains the highest ranking African American from Pennsylvania in the U.S. Congress. Congressman Gray was a political leader, international statesman and pastor who was deeply committed to civil rights and social justice around the globe.
To commemorate Congressman Gray’s lifelong commitment and service to the United States and to international human rights, Congress passed legislation in 2014 to rename 30th Street Station in Philadelphia the “William H. Gray III 30th Street Station.”
Throughout his tenure, the Congressman was dedicated to promoting civil rights and economic advancement. He was a chief opponent of the apartheid system in South Africa and authored the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 credited as an instrumental action in bringing an end to the Apartheid regime.
“Bill Gray was a trailblazer.”
-President Barack Obama
He went on to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the United Negro College Fund from 1991-2004. Throughout his political and business career he remained the Senior Minister at Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia where he served from 1972 until 2007.
WILLIAM H. GRAY III
ABOUT
THE 3 PILLAR TRUTHS OF REVEREND GRAY
True Diversity
Congressman Gray broke barriers and lived an authentically diverse life. He worked, worshipped, socialized and strategized-truly and closely-with people of diverse backgrounds.
True Community
Congressman Gray remained rooted in his community while seeing the wider world as an extenstion of it. Despite global travel and braod responsibilities he stayed close to the people and community he loved.
True Commerce
Congressman Gray's monumental efforts to successfully fight for funding for Amtrak when he was in Congress saved an institution that has provided countless jobs to the communities Amtrak serves.
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