RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Honorable William H. Gray, III has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 71; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable William H. Gray, III was the loving and devoted husband of Andrea; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable William H. Gray, III was the much-adored father of Andrew, William IV and Justin to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the Honorable William H. Gray, III received a bachelor's degree from Franklin & Marshall College, and divinity degrees from Drew Theological Seminary and Princeton Theological Seminary; and
WHEREAS, Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Philadelphia in 1978, the Honorable William H. Gray, III gained a reputation for integrity, fairness and consensus-building and was admired for his negotiation skills as a member and Chairman of the Budget Committee; and
WHEREAS, A passionate advocate for civil rights, the Honorable William H. Gray, III helped shape the United States' policy against apartheid in South Africa; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable William H. Gray, III impacted the lives of many through his hard work to improve education and healthcare services for the poor; and
WHEREAS, In 1989 the Honorable William H. Gray, III was elected as the first African-American to serve as majority whip in Congress; and
WHEREAS, Resigning from political life in 1991 to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the United Negro Fund, the Honorable William H. Gray, III raised an unprecedented $2.3 billion for that organization in just thirteen years; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his political and philanthropic service, the Honorable William H. Gray, III was Pastor of Bright Hope Baptist Church in North Philadelphia from 1972 to 2007; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, the Honorable William H. Gray, III imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of the Honorable William H. Gray, III serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared the Honorable William H. Gray, III to his family members, friends and all who knew him, and enabled him to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-fourth day of July, 2013, do hereby commemorate the Honorable William H. Gray, III for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
Alderman - 14th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of the Honorable William H. Gray, III.