Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, released this statement following the passing of economist Dr. William Edward Spriggs.

“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Dr. Bill Spriggs. Dr. Spriggs was a beloved and trailblazing economist, and workers’ rights advocate, who maintained the courage to push the needle and challenge long-held beliefs in economic policy. Throughout his career, Dr. Spriggs forced economists to abandon the status quo, and both reflect on and center the enormous role that race plays in every corner of our nation’s housing and financial system. His fierce commitment to racial and economic justice meant that he never shied away from sounding the alarm on harmful methods that perpetuated racial disparities and further widened the racial wealth gap at the expense of the Black community. 

“I also remain deeply grateful to Dr. Spriggs for volunteering his time on many occasions throughout the years to serve as a witness testifying before my Committee and many others, where his brilliance and expertise on a wide-ranging set of issues, and his commitment to workers, especially organized workers of all stripes, helped Congress develop critical economic and financial policy.

“Dr. Spriggs’ contributions to this field cannot be overstated and certainly will never be forgotten. His transformative style of leadership will continue to inspire generations of people who learned from his example in the fight for an economy that serves everyone – not just some. Committee Democrats and I offer our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all of those he mentored. May his memory be a blessing.”

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