Statement of Antonio R. Flores, President and CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, on the death of former Congressman William Gray III

July 2, 2013

On behalf of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), I want to express our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of former Congressman William Gray on his untimely passing yesterday.

A six-term congressman from Philadelphia, William Gray rose to influential positions in Congress as chair of the House Budget Committee and as majority whip, the first African American to hold either of those positions.

He will be especially remembered as an advocate for higher education for African American, Hispanic, Native American and other underserved populations. He was a strong supporter of funding higher education institutions that embraced their mission to educate the most marginalized populations of our nation. Having been a public school teacher in Newark and Passaic, New Jersey, he knew education first hand. And his dedication to the importance of education shone in his decision to leave Congress for the presidency of the United Negro College Fund in 1991.
 
Congressman Gray has left an indelible mark in our nation’s quest for equity and opportunity in education for all.  We continue to take inspiration from his life and his commitment to assure that all Americans have an opportunity to achieve the American Dream.

The former congressman will be deeply missed by the nation and by all who follow his lead in the journey toward equality and justice.

Antonio R. Flores
President and CEO  
HACU