Condolences for William L. Clay Sr. Pouring in From Across the Nation

Condolences for William L. Clay Sr. Pouring in from Across the Nation

Hundreds of statements from across the country have poured in paying homage to William L. Clay Sr., Missouri’s first Black congressman and a prominent civil rights leader who died last week. A private funeral will be held for family and close friends, while a public memorial service will be planned for St. Louis, a family member said. A date for the memorial has not yet been announced. “As we reflect on the life and work of Congressman Clay, we …

William Lacy Clay, Sr., founding member of Congressional Black Caucus, dies at 94

William Lacy Clay Sr., a civil rights leader, legislative powerhouse, and one of the 13 founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus, has died. He was 94.

William L. Clay Sr.: A Civil Rights Standard Amid Shifting Political, Social Tides

By Sylvester Brown, Jr. William L. Clay Sr., Missouri’s first Black congressman and a prominent civil rights leader who died last week, was one of the most consequential politicians in the state, rising to power during a period of entrenched racial discrimination that routinely relegated Black workers to low-paying, menial jobs. Clay skillfully navigated the political and social climate of the time, launching a distinguished public service caree…