Longtime House Democrat Passes Away

Missouri Democratic Rep. Bill Clay Sr., the first black congressman from the state, died on Thursday after serving 32 years in the U.S. House. He was 94.

Clay, a civil and workers’ rights advocate, represented the state’s 1st district from 1969 to 2001, and he was a driving influence in St. Louis’ recovery after “white flight” following the Civil Rights Act. He bartered with construction trades and corporate C-suites to see his hometown transformed into the skyline that now surrounds its iconic arch.

Prominent Democrats’ endorsements had a significant impact on the election prospects of fellow party members, and he was known for demanding unwavering loyalty from those who gained his approval.

“The Black community, almost overwhelmingly, looked at him as a fighter for them,” said his son, former Congressman Lacy Clay (D-MO).

In the years after the enactment of the 1965 Civil Rights Act, black St. Louisans moved quickly to capture power in a city that had long separated its communities via historically discriminatory redlining policies. Clay, Sr. was ahead of his time, gaining his first election to the St. Louis Board of Aldermen in 1959 at the age of only 28.

He became a staple during sit-ins as members of St. Louis’ black community protested the segregation enforced by businesses such as White Castle and Howard Johnson, which divided black and white customers into separate seats and hotel rooms.

“St. Louis was no different from any of the cities in the South,” Clay said in a 1998 profile. “We had rigid segregation — not by law, but by custom.”

 

St. Louis Democrats who came of age under Clay’s shadow paid tribute to him on Friday.

St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer told SLNPR that Clay’s “courageous legacy of public service to St. Louis and the country is etched in his historic legislative battles for the poor, underrepresented and disenfranchised.”

“Millions have him to thank for the Family and Medical Leave Act and raising the minimum wage,” Spencer said. “Generations of Black congressional leaders have followed in his footsteps as members of the Congressional Black Caucus, which he co-founded in 1971. We thank him for his generous service to a city he cared deeply for.”

Congressman Wesley Bell (D-MO) called Clay a ”giant — not just for St. Louis, not just for Missouri, but for the entirety of our country.”

“I counted Mr. Clay as a grand mentor, as a trailblazer, and as a dear friend,” Bell said in a statement. “But more than that, I carry his example with me every time I walk onto the House Floor.”

The Congressional Black Caucus, which counts a record-breaking 62 members in the 119th Congress, said in a statement, “Congressman Bill Clay leaves behind a legacy of dignity, courage, and transformative impact. His work laid the foundation for future generations of Black leadership in public service. May he rest in power and everlasting.”

St. Louis Democratic Mayor Cara Spencer wrote, “On behalf of the City of St. Louis, I want to offer my condolences to the family of one of St. Louis’ proud native sons, Congressman Bill Clay Sr. My sincerest sympathy is extended to his son, Lacy Clay, who has been a champion for the City of St. Louis.”

Michael P. McMillan, president & CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, wronte, “The Urban League expresses our deepest condolences to the Clay Family upon the passing of former Congressman William L. Clay, Sr. He was a giant in the Congress and a civil rights pioneer who helped transform St. Louis and change the lives of countless people locally and nationally. He had a profound impact on me personally as we worked together on many projects. His legacy remains and should always be remembered.”

 

VA

Related Posts

Sanders advocates for a 32-hour, four-day workweek across America, explaining the details

Bernie Sanders Pushes for a 32-Hour Workweek As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes industries and boosts productivity, Senator Bernie Sanders sees a chance to transform the workweek. In…

Men Who Shot Cop, Left Him Paralyzed And On Ventilator Get A Dose Of Karma In Court

A cop lay fighting for his life. A young suspect lay dead. And two accused gunmen walked into a courtroom they would never forget. As Atlantic City…

Fourth of July Favorite Pulled from Shelves: Kraft Heinz Recalled 367,000 Pounds of Contaminated Turkey Bacon

A Fourth of July Favorite Faces a Frightening Recall: Kraft Heinz Turkey Bacon Recalled Deadly Listeria Risk Just as millions across America gear up for backyard barbecues…

ABC Anchor Admits Truth As Trump’s DC Crackdown Yields Big Results

Washington didn’t see this coming. One presidential order, and the streets filled with federal agents, National Guard troops, and fear. Crime numbers dipped. Immigration arrests exploded. A…

He Knows Who’s On The List – And Why You Haven’t Seen It Yet

For years, we’ve been lied to. Files sealed. Witnesses silenced. Promises broken. And now, the man who once defended Jeffrey Epstein says he knows exactly who’s on…

Paris Jackson Breaks Silence on Life and Her Father’s Legacy

Michael Jackson’s early life was shaped by both remarkable talent and demanding expectations. Growing up in Gary, Indiana, he and his siblings were raised in an environment…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *