 National Association of Counties * Washington, D.C. Vol. 31, No. 15 * August 9, 1999 Previous story | Table of Contents | Next story |
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C. Vernon Gray
NACo president |
Years as NACo member/county official: 16 1/2 years.
Education: B.A. in Political Science, Morgan State University in Baltimore, Md.; M.A. in Political Science, Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga.; Ph.D. in Government and Politics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass.
Occupation: College professor.
The hardest thing I’ve ever done: Harvesting tobacco in 90-degree heat.
Three people (living or dead) I’d invite to dinner: Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackie Robinson and philosopher Rheinhold Neibhur.
You’d be surprised to learn that I: Am a pretty funny guy. Most people think I’m so serious.
My favorite sport is: Golf.
I’m most proud of: Being my mother’s son.
Every morning I read: The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, I buy USA Today from the newsstand; I read The New York Times on Sundays.
My favorite meal is: Crab cakes, greens, vanilla cake with chocolate frosting.
My pet peeve is: If you can’t do something, tell me you can’t do it, and tell me before so I can make alternative plans.
My motto is: I have on my wall in my office, a saying, When they came for the Jews
I didn’t speak up, when they came for the Catholics, I didn’t speak up, when they came for the Protestants, I didn’t speak up. When they came for me, there was no one left to speak up.
The last book I read was: Southern Cross by Patricia Cornwell.
My favorite movie is: "Dr. Zhivago."
My favorite music is: I like blues. I like the Muddy Waters-type blues. I also like the B.B. King-type blues. I like R&B. I like Patti LaBelle.
My favorite president is: John F. Kennedy.