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BLACK MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS: 1870-2005 |
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by Congressional Research Service, The Library of Congress (Prepared from the PDF by Tara Carreon, american-buddha online librarian) CRS Report for Congress Black Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2005 Updated August 4, 2005 Mildred L. Amer Black Members of the United States Congress: Summary A record number of 43 black or African-American Members serve in the 109th Congress; 42 in the House of Representatives, one in the Senate. There have been 117 black Members of Congress: 112 elected to the House and five to the Senate. The majority of the black Members (90) have been Democrats; the rest (27) have been Republicans. The first black Member of Congress was Hiram Rhodes Revels (R-MS), who served in the Senate in the 41st Congress (1870). The first black Member of the House was Joseph H. Rainey (R-SC). He also served in the 41st Congress. Shirley Chisholm (D-NY), elected to the 91st through 97th Congresses (1969-1983), was the first black woman in Congress. Since that time, 23 other black women have been elected, including Senator Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL, 1993-1999), who was the first black woman, as well as the first black Democrat, elected to the Senate.The black Members of Congress have served on all major committees. Sixteen have served as committee chairmen, 15 in the House and one in the Senate. This report will be updated at the commencement of the 110th Congress unless there are significant changes in the 109th Congress. Page 3
Page 4 Black Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2005 Introduction One hundred seventeen black Americans have been elected to the U.S. Congress: 112 to the House and five to the Senate.1 Of these, 24 have been women. A record 43 black Members serve in the 109th Congress, 42 in the House of Representatives, and one in the Senate. 2 Freshman Senator Barack Obama of Illinois is the first black, male, Democrat to serve in the Senate. The largest number of black Members elected as freshmen was 17 in the 103rd Congress. Sixteen were elected to the House, and one, Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL, 1993-1999), was elected to the Senate. Senator Moseley-Braun was also the first black woman and black Democrat to serve in the Senate. The first black Member of Congress was Hiram Rhodes Revels (R-MS), who served in the Senate in the 41st Congress (1870). He also has the distinction of being the first black Member of the Senate and the first black Member of Congress from Mississippi. On January 20, 1870, he was chosen by the Mississippi legislature to fill the unexpired term of former Confederate President Jefferson Davis in the U. S. Senate.3 Senator Blanche K. Bruce (R-MS, 1875-1881) was the first black Senator to serve a full Senate term of six years. Joseph H. Rainey (R- SC) was the first black Member of the House of Representatives. He also served in the 41st Congress. Shirley Chisholm (D-NY), elected to the 91st through 97th Congresses (1969-1983), was the first black woman to serve in Congress. Edward Brooke (R-MA) was the first black person elected to the Senate after the passage of the Seventeenth Amendment, which provided for the direct election of Senators. He served in the 90th through 95th Congresses (1967-1979). ____________________________________________________________________ 1 Includes three Delegates from the U.S. Virgin Islands and two from the District of Columbia. 2 A record number of 43 black Members was elected to the House of Representatives in the 104th Congress. Only 40, however, actually served at any one time. Rep. Melvin Reynolds (D-IL) resigned in Oct. 1995 and was replaced by Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL); Rep. Walter Tucker (D-CA) resigned in Dec. 1995 and was replaced by Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA); and Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) resigned in Feb. 1996 and was replaced by Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD). 3 Bruce A. Ragsdale and Joel D. Treese, Black Americans in Congress, 1870-1989 (Washington: GPO, 1990), p. 130. Page 5 CRS-2 The majority of the black Members of Congress (90) have been Democrats; the rest (27) have been Republicans. All the black Democrats have been elected in the 20th and 21st centuries. Five black Republican men were elected to Congress in the 20th century, four to the House and one to the Senate. One of them was reelected to one term in the 21st century before retiring from Congress. John Conyers Jr. (D-MI) holds the record for length of service by a black Member (40 years). He was first elected to the 89th Congress and has served since January 3, 1965. Eighteen black Members were first elected to fill vacancies in the House. They include Representative Cardiss Collins (D-IL,1973-1997), who was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of her husband, Representative George Collins (D-IL, 1970-1972). The others were Representatives Eva Clayton (D-NC), Katie Hall (D- IN), Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. (D-PA), George Collins (D-IL), Charles Hayes (D- IL), Bennett Stewart (D-IL), George W. Crockett, Jr. (D-MI), Lucien Blackwell (D-PA), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL), Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Craig Washington (D-TX), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Alton Waldon, Jr. (D-NY), Gregory Meeks (D- NY) Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA), Diane Watson (D-CA), and G.K. Butterfield (D-NC). All of these Members, except Representatives Stewart and Walden, were subsequently elected to additional terms. Female Members Fourteen black women serve in the 109th Congress, all in the House. A record number of 15 black women served in the 107th Congress, all in the House. A total of 24 black women have served in Congress. The first was Representative Shirley Chisholm (D-NY, 1969-1983). Senator Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL, 1993-1999) is the only black woman to have served in the Senate. The black female Members of the 109th Congress include Delegates Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Donna Christian-Christensen (D-VI) and Representatives Maxine Waters (D-CA), Corinne Brown (D-FL), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA), Julia Carson (D-IN), Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-MI), Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D- OH), Diane Watson (D-CA), Cynthia McKinney (D-GA), and Gwen Moore (D-WI). The other black female Members are Cardiss Collins (D-IL,1973-1997), Barbara-Rose Collins (D-MI,1991-1997), Yvonne Brathwaite Burke (D-CA,1973-1979), Katie Hall (D-IN, 1982-1985), Barbara Jordan (D-TX, 1973-1979), Eva Clayton (D-NC, 1992-2003), Carrie Meek (D-FL, 1993-2003), and Denise Majette (D-GA, 2003-2005). Relationships Three incumbent black Members, all serving in the 109th Congress, are the sons of former Members: Representative William Lacy Clay Jr. (D-MO), the son of Representative William L. Clay Sr. (D-MO, 1969-2001), Representative Harold Ford Jr. (D-TN, 1997-present), the son of Representative Harold Ford Sr. (D-TN, 1975-1997), and Representative Kendrick Meek (D-FL), the son of Representative Carrie Page 6 CRS-3 Meek (D-FL, 1993-2003). All directly succeeded their parents. In addition, Representative Cardiss Collins (D-IL, 1973-1997) succeeded her husband, Representative George Collins (D-IL,1970-1972). Representative George White (R- NC, 1897-1901) was the brother-in-law of Representative Henry Cheatham (R-NC, 1889-1893). Oldest and Youngest Black Members The oldest black Member to be elected to the House, Representative George Crockett (D-MI, 1980-1991), won his first election at 71, followed by Representative Charles Hayes (D-IL, 1983-1993), who was first elected at 65. At age 47, Senator Edward Brooke (R-MA, 1969-1979) became the oldest black Senator elected to a first term. The youngest elected black Member was Representative John Lynch (R-MS, 1873-1877, 1882-1883), who was first elected at age 25, followed by Representative Harold Ford, Jr. (D-TN; 1997-present), who was first elected at age 26. At age 33, Senator Blanche Bruce (R-MS, 1875-1881) was the youngest black Senator elected to a first term. Black Members in Leadership Positions A significant number of black Members of Congress have held positions of leadership. Former Representatives William Gray (D-PA, 1979-1991) and J.C. Watts (R-OK, 1995-2003), and Representative John Clyburn (D-SC, 1993-present) were elected to the highest leadership positions thus far held by black Members. Representative Gray was elected chair of the House Democratic Caucus in 1989 (101st Congress). Later in the 101st Congress, when a vacancy occurred, Representative Gray was elected House Democratic Whip, a position he held until his resignation from Congress in September 1991 (102nd Congress). Representative Watts served as chair of the House Republican Conference in the 106th-107th Congresses. Representative Clyburn currently is vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus, a position to which he was also elected in the 108th Congress. Former Representative Shirley Chisholm (D-NY, 1969-1983) served as Secretary to the Democratic Caucus in the 96th Congress (1977-1979). In addition, Representatives Maxine Waters (D-CA, 1991-present) and John Lewis (D-GA, 1987-present) have served as Democratic Chief Deputy Whips. Representative Lewis has served since the 102nd Congress; Representative Waters, since the 106th Congress. Black Members of Congress have served on all major committees. Fifteen Representatives and one Senator have chaired congressional committees. These include Senator Blanche Bruce (R-MS, 1875-1881), Representatives Yvonne B. Burke (D-CA, 1973-1979), William L. Clay, Sr. (D-MO, 1969-2001), John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI, 1965- ), William L. Dawson (D-IL, 1943-1970), Ronald V. Dellums (D- CA, 1971-1998), Charles C. Diggs, Jr. (D-MI, 1955-1980), Julian Dixon (D-CA, Page 7 CRS-4 1979- ), William H. Gray, III (D-PA, 1979-1991), Augustus F. Hawkins (D-CA, 1963-1991), George T. (Mickey) Leland (D-TX, 1979- 989), Parren J. Mitchell (D- MD, 1971-1987), Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. (D-PA, 1958-1979), Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (D-NY, 1945-1967, 1969-1971), Charles B. Rangel (D-NY, 1971- ), and Louis Stokes (D-OH, 1969-1999). Tables and Data This part of the report provides tabular information on black Members of Congress, including the Congresses in which they have served, the committees on which they have served, and, where relevant, an indication of the committees they have chaired or co-chaired. In addition, five tables summarize information about black Members. Tables 1 and 2 list selected data about each black Member. Table 3 presents the number and names of black Members by Congress. Table 4 presents the same information by state. Table 5 shows the changing number of black Members serving in Congress since 1870, when the first black Member was elected. Most of the data presented are from the Biographical Directory of the American Congress, 1774-1996, at [http://bioguide.congress.gov]; various editions of the Congressional Directory; and a broad range of Congressional Quarterly and Leadership Directories, Inc. publications. Information on the committee assignments of the women in the 109th Congress was obtained from the Congressional Yellow Book, winter 2005; the website of the U.S. Senate available online at [http://www.senate.gov/general/committee_assignments/assignments.htm]; and List of Standing Committees and Select Committees and Their Subcommitees of the House of Representatives Together With Joint Committees, One Hundred Ninth Congress, prepared under the direction of Jeff Trandahl, Clerk of the House of Representatives, April 29, 2005 (available online from the clerk’s website at [http://clerk.house.gov/committee/scsoal.pdf]). Note that the names and jurisdiction of House and Senate committees have changed many times over the years covered by this report. In the interest of brevity, this report does not identify all historical name changes. The committee names that are listed are those that were in effect at the time a particular member served on a panel. Page 8 CRS-5 Alphabetical Listing of Black Members, Selected Biographical Information, and Committee Assignments During Their Tenure in Office BALLANCE, FRANK W., Jr., a Representative from North Carolina. Born on February 15, 1942. Elected as a Democrat to the 108th Congress; served from January 7, 2003, until his resignation June 11, 2004.
BISHOP, SANFORD D., Jr., a Representative from Georgia. Born on February 4, 1947. Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through 108th Congresses; reelected to the 109th Congress; has served since January 5, 1993.
BLACKWELL, LUCIEN E., a Representative from Pennsylvania. Born on August 1, 1931. Elected as a Democrat to the 102nd Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative William Gray; reelected to the 103rd Congress; served from November 11, 1991, to January 3, 1995.
BROOKE, EDWARD W., a Senator from Massachusetts. Born on October 26, 1919. Elected as a Republican to two six-year terms beginning with the 90th Congress and served through the 95th Congress, from January 3, 1967, to January 3, 1979. First black Member of Congress from Massachusetts.
BROWN, CORRINE, a Representative from Florida. Born on November 11, 1946. Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through 108th Congresses; reelected to the 109th Congress; has served since January 5, 1993.
BRUCE, BLANCHE K., a Senator from Mississippi. Born on March 1, 1841; died on March 17, 1898. Elected as a Republican to a six- year term beginning with the 44th Congress and served through the 46th Congress, from March 4, 1875, to March 3, 1881.
Page 10 CRS-7 BURKE, YVONNE B., a Representative from California. Born on October 5, 1932. Elected as a Democrat to the 93rd through 95th Congresses; served from January 3, 1973, to January 3, 1979. First female chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, 94th Congress, 1976.
BUTTERFIELD, G.K., a Representative from North Carolina. Born on April 27, 1947. Elected as a Democrat to the 108th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative Frank Balance; reelected to the 109th Congress, has served since July 21, 2004.
CAIN, RICHARD H., a Representative from South Carolina. Born on April 12, 1825; died on January 18, 1887. Elected as a Republican to the 43rd and 45th Congresses; served from March 4, 1873, to March 3, 1875, and from March 4, 1877, to March 3, 1879.
CARSON, JULIA M., a Representative from Indiana. Born on July 8, 1938. Elected as a Democrat to the 105th through 108th Congresses; reelected to the 109th Congress; has served since January 9, 1997.
Page 11 CRS-8 CHEATHAM, HENRY P., a Representative from North Carolina. Born on December 27, 1857; died on November 29, 1935. Elected as a Republican to the 51st and 52nd Congresses; served from March 4, 1889, to March 3, 1893.
CHISHOLM, SHIRLEY A., a Representative from New York. Born on November 30, 1924; died on January 1, 2005. Elected as a Democrat to the 91st through 97th Congresses; served from January 3, 1969, to January 3, 1983. First black woman elected to Congress and first black female presidential candidate, 1972. Secretary of the Democratic Caucus in the 96th Congress, 1977-1979.
CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSEN, DONNA M., a Delegate from the Virgin Islands. Born on September 19, 1945. Elected as a Democrat to the 105th Congress through 108th Congresses; reelected to the 109th Congress; has served since January 7, 1997. First woman elected from the Virgin Islands and first female doctor in Congress.
CHRISTIAN-GREEN, DONNA. See CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSEN, DONNA. Page 12 CRS-9 CLAY, WILLIAM L., Sr., a Representative from Missouri. Born on April 30, 1931. Elected as a Democrat to the 91st through 106th Congresses; served from January 3, 1969, to January 3, 2001. First black Member of Congress from Missouri.
CLAY, William Lacy, Jr., a Representative from Missouri. Born on July 27, 1956; succeeded his father, Representative William L. Clay Sr. Elected as a Democrat to the 107th -108th Congresses; reelected to the 109th Congress; has served since January 3, 2001.
CLAYTON, EVA M., a Representative from North Carolina. Born on September 16, 1934. Elected as a Democrat to the 102nd Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Walter Jones; reelected to the 103rd through 107th Congresses; served from November 5, 1992, to January 3, 2003. Co-chair of the House Democratic Policy Committee in the 104th Congress.
CLEAVER, EMANUEL, a Representative from Missouri. Born on October 26, 1944. Elected as Democrat to the 109th Congress; has served since January 4, 2005.
Page 13 CRS-10 CLYBURN, JAMES E., a Representative from South Carolina. Born on July 21, 1940. Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through 108th Congresses; reelected to the 109th Congress; has served since January 5, 1993. Vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus in the 108th - 109th Congresses.
COLLINS, BARBARA-ROSE, a Representative from Michigan. Born on April 13, 1939. Elected as a Democrat to the 102nd through 104th Congresses; served from January 3, 1991, to January 3, 1997.
COLLINS, CARDISS, a Representative from Illinois. Born on September 24, 1931. Elected as a Democrat to the 93rd through 104th Congresses; served from June 7, 1973, to January 3, 1997. First elected to succeed her husband, Representative George Collins. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus during the 96th Congress, 1979-1980.
Page 14 CRS-11 COLLINS, GEORGE W., a Representative from Illinois. Born on March 5, 1926; died on December 8, 1972. Elected as a Democrat to the 91st Congress to fill the vacancy by the death of Representative Daniel Ronan; reelected to the 92nd and 93rd Congresses; served from November 16, 1970, to December 8, 1972. Succeeded by his wife, Representative Cardiss Collins.
CONYERS, JOHN, Jr., a Representative from Michigan. Born on May 16, 1929. Elected as a Democrat to the 89th through 107th Congresses; reelected to the 108th Congress; has served since January 3, 1965.
CROCKETT, GEORGE W., a Representative from Michigan. Born on August 10, 1909. Elected as a Democrat to the 96th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative Charles Diggs; reelected to the 97th through 101st Congresses; served from November 12, 1980, to January 3, 1991.
CUMMINGS, ELIJAH E., a Representative from Maryland. Born on January 18, 1951. Elected as a Democrat to the 104th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative Kweisi Mfume; reelected to the 105th through 109th Congresses; has served since April 25, 1996. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 108th Congress.
Page 15 CRS-12 DAVIS, ARTUR, a Representative from Alabama. Born on October 9, 1967. Elected as a Democrat to the 108th Congress; reelected to the 109th Congress, has served since January 7, 2003.
DAVIS, DANNY K., a Representative from Illinois. Born on September 6, 1941. Elected as a Democrat to the 105th through 108th Congresses; reelected to the 109th Congress; has served since January 7, 1997.
DAWSON, WILLIAM L., a Representative from Illinois. Born on April 26, 1886; died on November 9, 1970. Elected as a Democrat to the 78th through 91st Congresses; served from January 3, 1943, to November 9, 1970.
DeLARGE, ROBERT C., a Representative from South Carolina. Born on March 15, 1842; died on February14, 1874. Elected as a Republican to the 42nd Congress; served from March 4, 1871, until January24, 1873, when his seat was declared vacant after his election was successfully contested by former Representative Christopher C. Bowen.
Page 16 CRS-13 DELLUMS, RONALD V., a Representative from California. Born on November 25, 1935. Elected as a Democrat to the 92nd through 105th Congresses; served from January 3, 1971, until February 6, 1998, when he resigned from the House. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus during the 101st Congress, 1989-1990.
DePRIEST, OSCAR S., a Representative from Illinois. Born on March 9, 1871; died on May 12, 1951. Elected as a Republican to the 71st through 73rd Congresses; served from March 4, 1929, to March 3, 1935. First black Member of Congress from Illinois.
DIGGS, CHARLES C., Jr., a Representative from Michigan. Born on December 2, 1922; died on August 24 1998. Elected as a Democrat to the 84th through 96th Congresses; served from January 3, 1955, until his resignation on June 3, 1980. First black Member of Congress from Michigan and first chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, 92nd Congress, 1971-1972.
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