US Congressman. A member of the Democratic Party, he served Pennsylvania's 2nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives from 1979 until 1991. His father was a Baptist minister, his mother was a school teacher, he moved with his family from the Deep South to Philadelphia during his youth, when his father accepted a position at a church. After attaining his Bachelor of Arts from Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania, he followed his father's path to a career in religion and received his Master of Divinity Degree from the Drew Theological School in 1966. While serving as a Baptist minister and teacher in New Jersey, Gray became involved in political causes and following his father's death in 1972, he succeeded the elder Gray as minister of the Philadelphia church where he had been serving at. During his tenure in the US Congress, he made history as he became the first African American to serve as the House Majority Whip. Additionally, he was chairman of the Budget Committee and was a member of the House of Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Foreign Operations. He was a strong voice and influential figure towards American policies regarding Africa. After his time in Washington, Gray served as president of the United Negro College Fund and became an adviser to President Clinton for Haitian affairs. Gray died suddenly in London where he was to see the Wimbledon tennis matches.
US Congressman. A member of the Democratic Party, he served Pennsylvania's 2nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives from 1979 until 1991. His father was a Baptist minister, his mother was a school teacher, he moved with his family from the Deep South to Philadelphia during his youth, when his father accepted a position at a church. After attaining his Bachelor of Arts from Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania, he followed his father's path to a career in religion and received his Master of Divinity Degree from the Drew Theological School in 1966. While serving as a Baptist minister and teacher in New Jersey, Gray became involved in political causes and following his father's death in 1972, he succeeded the elder Gray as minister of the Philadelphia church where he had been serving at. During his tenure in the US Congress, he made history as he became the first African American to serve as the House Majority Whip. Additionally, he was chairman of the Budget Committee and was a member of the House of Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Foreign Operations. He was a strong voice and influential figure towards American policies regarding Africa. After his time in Washington, Gray served as president of the United Negro College Fund and became an adviser to President Clinton for Haitian affairs. Gray died suddenly in London where he was to see the Wimbledon tennis matches.
Bio by: C.S.
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