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STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TUESDAY 12.07.10

U.S. House Salutes Life and Legacy of Earl Wilson, Jr.
Clay’s Legislation Designates U.S. Post Office on North Sixth Street to Honor

Founder of St. Louis Gateway Classic

WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri praised U.S. House passage of special legislation to honor the life and legacy of the founder of the St. Louis Gateway Classic Foundation, the late Earl J. Wilson, Jr.  H.R. 6400, a bill authored by Congressman Clay, designates the U.S. Post Office at 111 North Sixth Street in downtown St. Louis as the Earl Wilson, Jr. Post Office Building.  It was approved today in the U.S. House by a vote of 382-0.

In a moving speech on the House floor, Congressman Clay spoke of his long-time friend and mentor.  Mr. Clay said, “Earl Wilson, Jr.’s lifetime of achievement in the corporate world, as the founder of the St. Louis Gateway Classic Foundation, as a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, as a father, husband and friend to so many…will live forever. 

Earl Wilson, Jr. was born in St. Louis on October 9, 1932. He grew up on 11th Street, just a few blocks away from the U.S. Post Office that will hopefully bear his name.

Earl Wilson, Jr.  founded the St. Louis Gateway Classic, an annual football contest that helped to fund the dreams of deserving students.  Without a doubt, his impact on the lives of so many young St. Louisans will endure for generations to come.
Over the last sixteen years, the annual gridiron classic featured top historically Black Colleges and Universities.  The game itself was a celebration of football tradition and a battle of the bands, but as Earl Wilson often reminded us…”It was more than just a game.”

The St. Louis Gateway Classic Foundation effectively raised $2.6 million to send average “C” students to college on full 4-year scholarships.

When Earl Wilson, Jr. passed away on October 29th of this year, it was not only an enormous personal loss for my family and I, his death was mourned throughout St. Louis and across our nation. 

Mr. Speaker, I have been blessed to experience and witness firsthand his commitment to opening the doors of higher education to young people. He selflessly invested his immense talents and boundless energy to building up his community and his country.

As we move to recognize the accomplishments of this great humanitarian, father and friend to many, I ask that we pass the underlying bill without reservation and pay tribute to a great American, Earl Wilson, Jr.”

The legislation honoring the late Earl J. Wilson, Jr. enjoyed the support and co-sponsorship of 18 Members of Congress, including the entire Missouri congressional delegation.

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