United Negro College Fund President-Elect

Rep. Gray announced his intention to resign his seat in the House of Representatives to become the president of the United Negro College Fund beginning September 1, 1991, at a news conference sponsored by the United Negro College Fund. The Fund was started in 1944 to raise money for 41 historically black private colleges; it is now conducting a $250 million fund-raising campaign for the 41 colleges which enroll a total of 50,000 students. Rep. Gray resigned after 12 years in Congress, during which time he had been the first black to chair the Budget Committee, the first black to chair the Democratic Caucus, and the first black majority whip in Congress. He indicated no regret for having resigned before possibly becoming the first black speaker of the House of Representatives. He said the reason for his resignation was to provide a more direct contribution to the public good while spending more time with his family. close