Joint Center Mourns the Passing of William Lacy ‘Bill’ Clay Sr., Missouri’s First Black Congressman and Founding Member of the Congressional Black Caucus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

July 18, 2025

Contact:
Kennedy Fortner, kennedy.fortner@jointcenter.org

Joint Center Mourns the Passing of William Lacy “Bill” Clay Sr., Missouri’s First Black Congressman and Founding Member of the Congressional Black Caucus

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies mourns the loss of former Congressman William Lacy “Bill” Clay Sr., a trailblazing leader whose decades of public service left a profound impact on Black communities nationwide. In honor of his life and legacy, Joint Center President Dedrick Asante-Muhammad issued the following statement:

“A civil rights leader dedicated to serving marginalized communities and advocating for labor rights, social justice, voting rights, higher education, and more, William Clay was a true inspiration, whose legacy will be felt for generations to come,” said Asante-Muhammad. “As one of the 13 founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971, he fundamentally changed how Congress uses its constitutional power to ensure the voices and needs of African Americans and other marginalized communities are heard and acted upon. His achievements were instrumental in advancing the socio-economic well-being of Black communities, not only in Missouri, but nationwide. We will continue to honor his life of public service and his unwavering commitment to justice. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

As a Democrat serving in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for over three decades, Clay served on the Education and Labor Committee and championed numerous legislative achievements. In 1993, the Family and Medical Leave Act became law after being sponsored by Clay. This act required employers to provide employees with job-protected, unpaid leave for qualified medical and family reasons. He also advocated for reforms to the Hatch Act, expanding political rights for federal employees, and consistently worked to increase federal investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

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About the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, America’s Black think tank, provides compelling and actionable policy solutions to eradicate persistent and evolving barriers to the full freedom of Black people in America. We are the trusted forum for leading experts and scholars to participate in major public policy debates and promote ideas that advance Black communities. We use evidence-based research, analysis, convenings, and strategic communications to support Black communities and a network of allies.