The highest-ranking African-American ever to serve in Congress paid a visit to the Julius E. Sprauve School Wednesday where, fittingly, he exhorted students to "learn, learn, learn."
Fitting not only because of the setting but because William H. Gray III has for nearly the past decade served as president of the United Negro College Fund. "Getting an education is the most important thing that ever happened to me," Gray told seventh, eighth and ninth-grade students.
George Lewis Jr., a graduate of Sprauve School, invited Gray, who owns a home on St. John, to visit the school and speak to students. Principal Shirley Joseph arranged an assembly for students to listen and talk to Gray.
President of the UNCF since leaving the political arena in 1991, Gray said that since the end of "American apartheid" only 16 percent of African-Americans attend historically black college and universities yet these schools accounted for one-third of all African-American graduates.
In 1985 and '86, Gray authored bills instrumental in implementing sanctions against then-apartheid South Africa. First elected to the House of Representatives in 1978, Gray earned a reputation as a consensus-builder and eventually rose to the post of majority whip.
The former Democratic congressman said he has been coming to the Virgin Islands for more than 12 years. Most of that time, he joked, he has taken on Lewis in tennis and though Lewis has beaten him every time, he is determined to keep coming back and play until he wins.
Born in Louisiana, Gray grew up in North Philadelphia, an area so poor, he said, that all of St. John would be considered rich by comparison.
The former congressman's message dealt with what he sees as the four keys to success: Getting an education and having a "Learn, learn, learn attitude" is most important to achieving any goal one may have; If you "think big and believe in yourself" you will be able to accomplish any goal that you have set for yourself; "You have to work hard for what you want; nobody is just going to give it to you."
Lastly, one "should always give back to your school, family, and community and help others. It is a good way to say thanks," he said.
Gray credits much of his success to positive influences on his life. Both parents were educators and conveyed the importance of education to the family. His father was also a Baptist minister and college president. He personally knew people like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rev. D. C. Wright, and Washington State Supreme Court Justice Charles D. Smith, who encouraged him to expand his life.
There were "great opportunities; doors were opened and I was crazy enough to enter."
Seventh grader Buster Brady asked, "Have you ever been discouraged, and what did you do to overcome it?" Gray said he "kept my eyes on my goals because the goal is stronger than any discouragement. Discouragement does not last forever, and don't be afraid to ask for help" from parents, teachers, or friends. "Keep fighting."