Statement by the Vice President on the Death of William "Bill" Lucy

William "Bill" Lucy was a giant and a patriot who spent his life fighting for freedom, justice, and fairness.

As a leader of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), he dedicated his life to improving conditions for working families and advancing the cause of civil rights, human rights, and labor rights. In 1968, alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Lucy helped lead the Memphis sanitation workers strike, where AFSCME members marched under the iconic declaration "I Am A Man," a term he coined. Lucy believed in the universal values of freedom, dignity, and solidarity, forming the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and working to end apartheid in South Africa.

Generations of working people and their families continue to benefit from his work and legacy. Doug and my thoughts are with Bill's family and loved ones.