Clay Wins Chairmanship
Congressman Lacy Clay’s office proudly announced today that the St. Louisan was unanimously chosen by his Democratic colleagues to chair the House Subcommittee on Information Policy, the Census and the National Archives.
The chairmanship, which is one of five selected by the majority members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, has primary oversight responsibility for the 2010 Census, an enormous $12 billion national project that will determine political reapportionment and the distribution of billions of federal dollars.
“This is a historic moment, and I deeply appreciate the confidence and trust that my colleagues have invested in me,” said Clay in a press release.
“The census is one of the most powerful tools that the federal government has to help African-Americans and other minority communities. In 2000, the national census missed at least three million people - mostly the poor and minorities. But as the Chairman of the Census Subcommittee, I will use all the government’s resources to see that this never happens again. Phoenix-like we will rise up and ensure that every American is counted.”
Congressman Clay’s subcommittee will also have oversight responsibilities for the National Archives and Records Administration, which safeguards essential evidence and historical records from U.S. Presidents, the Congress and the federal courts. It also has responsibility for the management of sensitive and classified information through the Office of Information Security Oversight and for monitoring the enforcement of the Freedom of Information Act.
About This Author: Antonio D. French is a writer, political consultant, and newly-elected Democratic Committeeman living in north St. Louis, Missouri. Have your own opinion about this story? Go ahead and leave a comment. But be respectful to others and show you own a pair by actually using your real name. Anonymity is cowardice. And don't forget to subscribe to our feed and get PubDef stories delivered right to your feed reader or email inbox.
Comments
Congressman Lacy Clay has never had a cocaine addiction or any other drug addiction. Prove what you are saying, don’t just make false allegations.
Congressman Lacy Clay is against drug usage that is why he is upset about Mark McGwire’s steroid usage. Congressman Clay has always been drug free and proud of it, and he would gladly submit to a drug test at any time unlike Mark McGwire.
Congressman Lacy Clay is the greatest black leader the St. Louis region has right now and nobody could ever beat him, EVER!!!!!!!!
I’m not too impressed, this committee is not one of the biggies, but he is young and maybe he will move on to something bigger.
As for as him never being able to be beaten, you can thank gerrymandered districts designed to protect the incumbents. No one will ever be able to beat Todd Akin or Russ Carnahan either, regardless of their greatness.
Drinking does not necessarily impede ones ability to legislate or drive.
Until I see the data I will never believe it!
What’s wrong with you?
We have a Black man who finally is in a national leadership position to do some good for the whole St. Louis area and all you can do is insult him with nonsense.
It’s a shame that you don’t appreciate good people who are trying to go the right thing.
Lacy Clay doesn’t care about black people!!He wants us to remain oppressed and hate the white man. If we do he is elected; if not he is beatable. Lets face it we have lost more jobs in his district then any other district, the crime rate is second only to Detroit, our schools are a mess, police brutality on African Americans is still occuring too frquently and we keep electing this man. He is a nice man but he is a horrible representative for St. Louis. Why don’t we make the man earn our vote? Wake up my friends!
Did anyone notice that the 2 lawyers representing the Ownsby and Hornbeck kidnapper are pick financial contributors to his campaign? There are pictures of him embraced in a hug on his campaign website too. Really Mr. Clay can’t you associate with better people then Mike Kielty and Ethan Corletja?
As a journalism school graduate and former newspaperman, I’m flabergasted that a blog and web site would publish such scurrilous charges and accusations against a U.S. Congressman from an ‘anonymous’ person. It’s evident to me that PUBDEF, and any other blog or website, should consider enacting the ’seven-second” delay rule adopted by broadcast media that allows them to edit or bleep material for various reason.
Rather than anonymous pot shots, I think CONGRATULATIONS are in order for Mr. Clay and everybody else who can see the value of the reins of Congressional power changing from Republican to Democratic hands. Moreover, before we invest time and effort with crabs in the barrel activity, lets’ review Mr. Clay’s record. Congressman Clay has always opposed the Iraq war, voting aginst it the first time, has always supported labor and issues of importance to working people and families, constantly fights against predatory lenders and loan sharks, brought millions of dollars in grants into the area for economic development and social agencies, and has helped hundreds buy homes and ove into apartments by his vigorous support of housing initiatives. These are just a few of the things done all the while Mr. Clay was in the MINORITY.
Therefore,,lets give him the proper kudos on the chairmanship (everybody in Congress doesn’t have one) and not resort to anonymous vilification and/or exultation. For five minutes, can we all just get along.
Sincerely
Carlton Jones
Carlton:
Please look into Clay’s record for us and tell us why our schools are failing, jobs are being lost, crime is on the rise, police abuse and brutality is on the rise and mr. Clay has not said one word about it. He lets it happen and does nothing to solve these problems. We MUST come together and send a message to our elected representatives; GET THE JOB DONE FOR THE PEOPLE OR WE WILL SEND YOU HOME!!
Carlton Jones you are misguided.
The seven second delay is defacto censorship. I assure you that Mr. French censors inappropriate content such as threats, yet here we are all able to voice our opinion.
My opinion of Mr. Clay is that he is a Democrat first and Black second. Mr. Clay spent the vast majority of his time during a Black History Month presentation speaking of partisan democratic issues. Not once did he talk of St. Louis’ crime problem or failed education system. Not once did he mention the beating of the guy by the Maplewood police. These are universal problems which exist in virtually every urban city. They warrant discussion!
It seems to me that Lacy Clay would rather bash our President than the issues which truly obstruct progression within the Black community.
He said that one voice cannot represent the Black community as it is very diverse. A lack of voice is even worse!
Carlton you are very foolish, he is a public figure and we have freedom of speech for now. I would like for the Congressman to respond to the issues that have come up. PUbdef is the best form of letting him know how people feel without back-lash. Try to get his medical records. The only reason why he’s there is because of his father. Did you see the video on his press release in November regarding Wal-Mart? Mr Clay stated he would take money from anyone including Wal-Mart because he has bills to pay. He admitted taking the money, so why did they give it to him? Companies don’t give money for nothing. Clay is only waiting for retirement to get the continous check that he will receive for the rest of his life. Just for the he don’t even live in St. Louis.
I have no faith in Lacy, he talks out the side of his neck. I wonder how much of this money will he use for personal favors. His picture above looks like he was hung over. Did he ever really over come the cocaine addiction?