William Lacy Clay, Jr.

William Lacy Clay
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri's 1st district
Incumbent
Assumed office  January 3, 2001
Preceded by	William L. Clay, Sr.
Succeeded by	Incumbent
Born	July 27 1956 (1956--) (age 51) St. Louis, Missouri
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Ivie Lewellen Clay
Religion	Roman Catholic

William Lacy Clay, Jr., sometimes known as Lacy Clay (born July 27, 1956), American politician, was elected as Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives in 2000 to represent Missouri's 1st congressional district (map). Born in St. Louis, Missouri, his family moved to Washington D.C., when his father William Lacy Clay, Sr. was elected to the House of Representatives, holding the same seat now occupied by his son, from 1969 to 2001.

In his teenage years, Clay Jr. attended Silver Spring, Maryland, public schools and graduated in the Springbrook High School class of 1974. He then attended the University of Maryland, College Park, from which he earned a degree in political science and certification to be a paralegal. He entered the Missouri House of Representatives in 1983, the same year that he graduated. While serving, he studied at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government but did not obtain a degree [1]. In 1991 he was elected to the Missouri State Senate.

Congressional career

In 2000, Clay successfully ran for the Congressional seat occupied by his father for thirty-two years. He has been reelected three times and currently serves on the Committee on Government Reform. He is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Clay made news in early 2007 when, as a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, he objected to the possible inclusion of white congressman Stephen I. Cohen from Tennessee, who represents a majority black district and had made a campaign promise to attempt to become the first white member of the CBC. Although it is not part of the CBC's bylaws that members must be black, all members so far have been black.^[1] He said, "Mr. Cohen asked for admission, and he got his answer. He's white and the Caucus is black. It's time to move on. We have racial policies to pursue and we are pursuing them, as Mr. Cohen has learned. It's an unwritten rule. It's understood." In response to the decision, Rep. Cohen stated, "It's their caucus and they do things their way. You don't force your way in."

Rep. Clay issued an official statement from his office in reply to Rep. Cohen's complaint: "Quite simply, Rep. Cohen will have to accept what the rest of the country will have to accept — there has been an unofficial Congressional White Caucus for over 200 years, and now it's our turn to say who can join 'the club.' He does not, and cannot, meet the membership criteria, unless he can change his skin color. Primarily, we are concerned with the needs and concerns of the black population, and we will not allow white America to infringe on those objectives." Some have said that since Cohen represents a district with 60% black voters, that he has a legitimate interest in helping the goals of the CBC, and the decision should not be solely based on skin color.^[1]

Citizens for Ethics issued a report in June 2007 saying that Clay's sister Michelle Clay is a registered lobbyist for the Kansas City airport and previously, for the city of St. Louis. They reported that in the 2006 election cycle, Michelle Clay's law office, Clay and Associates, received $51,800 in consulting fees from her brother's campaign funds, along with an additional $9,963 for reimbursements. In the 2004 election cycle, Michelle Clay's firm received $52,514 for consulting, and in 2002 Michelle Clay herself was paid $32,00 for campaign management and legal fees. During the 2004 election, Clay's campaign reimbursed his father more than $6,000 for book purchases.^[2]

Political views

During Clay's previous 17 years in the state legislature, he worked to end racial and gender discrimination.^{[citation needed]}

Clay has been a consistent critic of the War in Iraq and was among those who voted against the 2002 Iraq War Resolution. Clay's NPAT also displays disagreement with elements of the War on Drugs. The congressman believes that government reform is necessary to make sure every citizen's voice is heard. Clay also continues to fight for programs that will improve that status of the poor, including initiatives to allow lower-class people to purchase homes.

Clay added his name as cosponsor to a bill calling for the impeachment of Vice President Cheney, House Resolution 333.

He was one of the 31 who voted in the House to not count the electoral votes from Ohio in the United States presidential election, 2004. [2]

References

External links

• U.S. Congressman William Lacy Clay official site
• William Lacy Clay, Jr. at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Federal Election Commission — William Lacy Clay Jr campaign finance reports and data
• On the Issues — William Lacy Clay issue positions and quotes
• OpenSecrets.org — William L. Clay Jr. campaign contributions
• Project Vote Smart — Representative William Lacy Clay Jr. (MO) profile
• SourceWatch Congresspedia — Lacy Clay profile
• Washington Post — Congress Votes Database: William Clay voting record
• Lacy Clay Jr. for Congress official campaign site

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