Statement from President Joe Biden on the Passing of William “Bill” Lucy
Bill Lucy was a courageous labor leader who dedicated his life bending the arc of history toward justice.
Of his seven decades as a giant in the movement, Bill spent nearly forty years as Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. He also founded the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. No matter the title or the place, he worked tirelessly to advance civil rights and labor rights for all Americans, changing the course of history and redeeming the soul of America.
His dedication led to increased benefits and protections for America’s public servants who keep our communities safe, care for the sick, and so much more.
A native of Memphis, Tennessee, he marched with Dr. King to secure the rights of sanitation workers. Bill’s decree, “I Am a Man,” shed light on the humanity of our Nation’s laborers and became a nationwide rallying cry for dignity and equality, two of our most sacred American values.
Over the course of his towering leadership, I saw Bill in action. He believed, like I do, that working class issues and civil rights issues are deeply intertwined, as he strengthened the role of Black Americans in our Nation’s unions and fought to dismantle apartheid in South Africa.
He will forever be remembered for his unrelenting commitment to justice, fairness, and equality—at home and abroad.
Jill and I send our love and condolences to his family, the labor movement he empowered, and every worker whose life he made better.
May God bless Bill Lucy, a great American, and a good man.
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