Historical September–October 2011 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Congressman William L. (Lacy) Clay lived on 61xx Washington for a number of years.
His residence now is again in Skinker DeBaliviere.
He loves the neighborhood and has a lot of family close by.
In our recent conversation, he remarked on the neighborhood’s vibrancy and, in particular, pointed to the continuing development of the Loop.
He had worked on getting funding for the trolley. Clay is serving his sixth term in the House.
He was first elected in 2000, winning a 5-person race with 61% of the vote.
He now serves as Democratic Deputy Whip, handling the midwestern states of Oklahoma, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois and Iowa. Clay serves on several important House committees.
He is on the Oversight and Government Relations Committee which looks over federal agencies.
He had chaired the subcommittee on the census.
In addition, he serves on the Financial Services Committee that handles banking, insurance, and urban development.
He is now the ranking minority member of the Domestic Policy Subcommittee that has jurisdiction over the Federal Reserve.
The chair of the subcommittee is Texas’ Ron Paul, who wants to abolish the institution.
During this summer break, Clay has been gauging his constituents’ sentiments.
He is hearing a lot about unemployment and the pain it causes as well as a failed education system.
The federal tax structure, according to Clay, rewards corporations that outsource jobs;.
There is also the continuing legacy of discrimination that continues to haunt us. Clay has a several-fold approach to job creation. 1. Reauthorizing transportation bill and highway trust fund; 2. Fair tax–Closing loopholes; ending tax dodges that benefit big oil, hedge fund managers; end Bush tax cuts for the very wealthy. 3. Restoration policy–As the wars wind down in Iraq and Afghanistan, do nation-building here at home to create jobs; reform federal procurement policy that currently rewards corporations that ship jobs overseas. Use the peace dividend to rehab schools, hospitals, transit systems, the power grid. 4. Strengthen universities, community colleges, trade schools to train workers.
I asked Congressman Clay about working with the House Republican majority.
He said it can be frustrating because the majority is focused on seeing the Obama administration fail.
It becomes discouraging at times.
All in all, the Congressman enjoys his work.
He is happy with the redrawing of the 1st District.
He is glad it includes the whole city of St. Louis with its many diverse neighborhoods.
He will be seeking reelection in 2012 and expects to be successful . Clay told me that he comes home to St. Louis as much as he can. You might catch him setting off for a bike ride in the park.
Original photograph caption
Congressman William L. Lacy Clay. Descriptive caption supplied.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September–October 2011.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2011_09.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
