Yesterday's WSJ features an article by former New Hampshire governor and White House Chief of Staff John Sununu on the late C. Boyden Gray, with whom he served in the George H. W. Bush Administration.
C. Boyden Gray, White House counsel to President George H.W. Bush, died Sunday at 80—an unsung hero whose leadership was defined by his quiet, thoughtful determination. A key member of the Bush team, he deftly navigated the complex intersections of law, policy and politics. More than a lawyer, he was a skilled tactician and diplomat, bringing together diverse factions to create consensus around difficult issues.
Gray's legacy is perhaps most evident in his work on the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, a visionary law that pioneered the use of market incentives to curb acid rain, urban air pollution and toxic emissions. His negotiation skills convinced industry leaders and lawmakers of both parties. The law passed 401-21 in the House and 89-11 in the Senate, and it has guided environmental policy since.
As Sununu recounts, Gray was also heavily involved in the development and enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
