Order Code RL30378
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Black Members of the United States Congress:
1870-2005
Updated August 4, 2005
Mildred L. Amer
Specialist in American National Government
Government and Finance Division
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

Black Members of the United States Congress:
1870-2005
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.

Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Female Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Oldest and Youngest Black Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Black Members in Leadership Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Tables and Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Alphabetical Listing of Black Members, Selected Biographical Information,
and Committee Assignments During Their Tenure in Office . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
List of Tables
Table 1. Black Members of Congress — Senate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Table 2. Black Members of Congress — House of Representatives . . . . . . . . . 39
Table 3. Number and Names of Black Members of Congress, by Congress . . . 45
Table 4. Number and Names of Black Members of Congress, by State . . . . . . . 55
Table 5. Number of Black Members in the U.S. Congress,
41st-109th Congresses (1870-2005) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

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).
1Includes three Delegates from the U.S. Virgin Islands and two from the District of
Columbia.
2A 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).
3Bruce A. Ragsdale and Joel D. Treese, Black Americans in Congress, 1870-1989
(Washington: GPO, 1990), p. 130.

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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

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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,

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1979- ), William H. Gray, III (D-PA, 1979-1991), Augustus F. Hawkins (D-CA,
1963-1991), George T. (Mickey) Leland (D-TX, 1979-1989), 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 Nineth
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.

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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Agriculture
108th
H. Small Business
108th
BISHOP, SANFORD D., Jr., a Representative from Georgia. Born on February 4,
1947. Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through108th Congresses; reelected to
the 109th Congress; has served since January 5, 1993.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Agriculture
103rd-107th
H. Post Office and Civil Service
103rd
H. Veterans’ Affairs
103rd-104th
H. Select Intelligence
105th-107th
H. Appropriations
108th-109th
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Merchant Marine and Fisheries
102nd
H. Public Works and Transportation
102nd-103rd
H. Budget
103rd

CRS-6
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
S. Aeronautical and Space Sciences
90th
S. Banking and Currency
90th-91st
S. Government Operations
90th
S. Armed Services
91st
S. Select Equal Education Opportunity
91st-92nd
S. Appropriations
92nd-95th
S. Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
92nd-95th
S. Special Aging
92nd-95th
S. Select Standards and Conduct
93rd-94th
Jt. Bicentennial Arrangements
94th
Jt. Defense Production
94th-95th
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Government Operations
103rd
H. Public Works and Transportation
103rd
H. Veterans’ Affairs
103rd-109th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
104th-109th
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
S. Manufactures
44th
S. Pensions
44th-45th
S. Education and Labor
44th-46th
S. Select Mississippi River
45th-46th
S. Select To Investigate the Freedman’s
46th (committee chair)
Savings and Trust Company

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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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Interior and Insular Affairs
93rd
H. Public Works
93rd
H. Appropriations
94th-95th
H. Select Assassinations
94th-95th
H. Select Beauty Shop
94th-95th
(committee chair, 94th-95th)
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Small Business
108th
H. Agriculture
108th -109th
H. Armed Services
109th
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Agriculture
43rd
H. Private Land Claims
45th
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services
105th-106th
H. Financial Services
107th -109th
H. Veterans’ Affairs
105th-107th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
108th-109th

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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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Expenditures on Public Buildings
51st-52nd
H. Education
51st-52nd
H. Agriculture
52nd
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Veterans’ Affairs
91st-92nd
H. Education and Labor
92nd-94th
H. Rules
95th-97th
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Resources
105th-109th
H. Small Business
106th -109th
H. Homeland Security
108th-109th
CHRISTIAN-GREEN, DONNA. See CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSEN, DONNA.

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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education and Labor
91st-103rd
H. Education and the Workforce
105th-106th
H. Economic and Educational Opportunities
104th
H. Post Office and Civil Service
93rd-103rd
(committee chair, 102nd-103rd)
H. Select to Study the Committee System
96th
H. House Administration
99th-103rd
H. Jt. Library
101st
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Financial Services
107th -109th
H. Government Reform
107th -109th
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Agriculture
103rd-107th
H. Small Business
103rd
H. Budget
105th-107th
CLEAVER, EMANUEL, a Representative from Missouri. Born on October 26,
1944. Elected as Democrat to the 109th Congress; has served since January 4,
2005.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Financial Services
109th

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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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Public Works and Transportation
103rd
H. Veterans’ Affairs
103rd-105th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
104th-105th
H. Small Business
104th
H. Appropriations
106th-109th
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Public Works and Transportation
102nd-103rd
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
104th
H. Government Operations
103rd
H. Government Reform and Oversight
104th
H. Post Office and Civil Service
102nd-103rd
H. Science, Space, and Technology
102nd
H. Select Children, Youth, and Families
102nd
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Government Operations
93rd-103rd
H. Government Reform and Oversight
104th
H. Public Works
93rd
H. International Relations
94th-95th
H. Foreign Affairs
96th
H. District of Columbia
95th
H. Energy and Commerce
97th-103rd
H. Commerce
104th
H. Select Population
95th
H. Select Narcotics Abuse and Control
96th-102nd

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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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Government Operations
91st-92nd
H. Public Works
92nd
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Judiciary
89th-109th
H. Government Operations
92nd-103rd
(committee chair, 101st-103rd)
H. Small Business
100th-103rd
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Foreign Affairs
96th-101st
H. Judiciary
97th-101st
H. Small Business
97th
H. Select Aging
97th-101st
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Government Reform and Oversight
104th-105th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
104th-109th
H. Government Reform
106th-109th

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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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Budget
108th-109th
H. Financial Services
108th- 109th
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Government Reform and Oversight
105th
H. Small Business
105th- 109th
H. Government Reform
106th-109th
H. Education and the Workforce
108th-109th
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Expenditures in the Executive
78th-82nd
Departments
(committee chair, 81st, 82nd )
H. Government Operations
83rd-91st
(committee chair, 84th-91st)
H. Coinage, Weights, and Measures
78th-79th
H. Invalid Pensions
78th-79th
H. Insular Affairs
78th-79th
H. Irrigation and Reclamation
78th-79th
H. Interior and Insular Affairs
82nd
H. District of Columbia
84th-91st
DeLARGE, ROBERT C., a Representative from South Carolina. Born on March 15,
1842; died on February 14, 1874. Elected as a Republican to the 42nd Congress;
served from March 4, 1871, until January 24, 1873, when his seat was declared
vacant after his election was successfully contested by former Representative
Christopher C. Bowen.
Committee Assignment
Congress
H. Manufactures
42nd

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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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. District of Columbia
92nd-103rd
(committee chair, 96th-102nd)
H. Foreign Affairs
92nd
H. Armed Services
93rd-103rd
(committee chair, 103rd)
H. National Security
104th-105th
H. Post Office and Civil Service
97th-98th
H. Select Intelligence
94th-102nd
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Enrolled Bills
71st-73rd
H. Invalid Pensions
71st-73rd
H. Indian Affairs
71st-73rd
H. Post Office and Post Roads
73rd
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.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Interior and Insular Affairs
84th-85th
H. Veterans’ Affairs
84th-85th
H. Foreign Affairs
86th-93rd
H. International Relations
94th-96th
H. District of Columbia
88th-96th
(committee chair, 93rd-95th)

CRS-14
DIXON, JULIAN C., a Representative from California. Born on August 8, 1934;
died on December 8, 2000. Elected as a Democrat to the 96th through 106th
Congresses; reelected to the 107th Congress, but died before the commencement
of the 107th Congress; served from January 3, 1979, until his death. Chair of the
Congressional Black Caucus during the 98th Congress, 1983-1984.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Appropriations
96th-106th
H. Standards of Official Conduct
98th-101st
(committee chair, 99th-101st)
H. Select Intelligence
103rd-106th
DYMALLY, MERVYN M., a Representative from California. Born on May 12,
1926. Elected as a Democrat to the 97th through 102nd Congresses; served from
January 3, 1981, to January 3, 1993. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus
during the 100th Congress, 1987-1988.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. District of Columbia
97th-102nd
H. Foreign Affairs
97th-102nd
H. Science and Technology
97th-98th
H. Post Office and Civil Service
98th-102nd
H. Education and Labor
99th
ELLIOTT, ROBERT B., a Representative from South Carolina. Born on August 11,
1842; died on August 9, 1884. Elected as a Republican to the 42nd and 43rd
Congresses; served from March 4, 1871, until his resignation on November 1,
1874.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education and Labor
42nd-43rd
H. Militia
43rd
ESPY, ALBERT MICHAEL (MIKE), a Representative from Mississippi. Born on
November 28, 1953. Elected as a Democrat to the 100th through 103rd
Congresses. Served from January 6, 1987, to January 25, 1993, when he
resigned to become Secretary of Agriculture.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Agriculture
100th-102nd
H. Budget
101st-102nd
H. Select Hunger
101st-102nd
Jt. Deficit Reduction
100th

CRS-15
EVANS, MELVYN H., a Delegate from the Virgin Islands. Born on August 7,
1917; died on November 27, 1984. Elected as a Republican to the 96th
Congress; served from January 3, 1979, to January 3, 1981. First black
Delegate from the Virgin Islands and first black physician to serve in Congress.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Armed Services
96th
H. Interior and Insular Affairs
96th
H. Merchant Marine and Fisheries
96th
FATTAH, CHAKA, a Representative from Pennsylvania. Born on November 21,
1956. Elected as a Democrat to the 104th through 108th Congresses; reelected
to the 109th Congress; has served since January 3, 1995.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Government Reform and Oversight
104th-105th
H. Economic and Educational Opportunities
104th
H. Education and the Workforce
105th-106th
H. Small Business
104th
H. Standards of Official Conduct
105th-106th
H. Administration
106th-107th
H. Government Reform
106th
Jt. Printing
106th -107th
H. Appropriations
107th-109th
FAUNTROY, WALTER E., a Delegate from the District of Columbia. Born on
February 6, 1933. Elected as a Democrat to the 92nd Congress in a special
election after the District of Columbia was authorized to elect a delegate to
Congress; reelected to the 93rd through 101st Congresses; served from April 19,
1971, to January 3, 1991. First black Delegate from the District of Columbia.
Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus during the 97th Congress, 1981-1982.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. District of Columbia
92nd-101st
H. Banking and Currency
93rd
H. Banking, Currency, and Housing
94th
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs
95th-101st
H. Select Assassinations
94th-95th
H. Select Narcotics Abuse and Control
98th-101st

CRS-16
FIELDS, CLEO, a Representative from Louisiana. Born on November 22, 1962.
Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd and 104th Congresses; served from January
5, 1993, to January 3, 1997. At age 30, he was the youngest Member of the
103rd Congress.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs
103rd
H. Banking and Financial Services
104th
H. Small Business
103rd-104th
FLAKE, FLOYD H., a Representative from New York. Born on January 30, 1945.
Elected as a Democrat to the 100th through 105th Congresses; served from
January 6, 1987, to November 15, 1997, when he resigned from the House.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs
100th-103rd
H. Banking and Financial Services
104th-105th
H. Small Business
100th-105th
H. Government Operations
103rd
H. Select Children, Youth, and Families
100th
H. Select Hunger
100th-102nd
FORD, HAROLD E., Sr., a Representative from Tennessee. Born on May 20, 1945.
Elected as a Democrat to the 94th through 104th Congresses; served from January
3, 1975, to January 3, 1997. First black Member of Congress from Tennessee.
Succeeded by his son, Harold E. Ford, Jr.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Veterans’ Affairs
94th, 1st
H. Banking, Currency, and Housing
94th, 1st
H. Ways and Means
94th-104th
H. Select Aging
94th-102nd
H. Select Assassinations
94th-95th

CRS-17
FORD, HAROLD E., Jr., a Representative from Tennessee. Born on May 11, 1970.
Elected as a Democrat to the 105th through 108th Congresses; reelected to the
109th Congress; has served since January 7, 1997. He was the youngest Member
of the 105th Congress. Succeeded his father, Harold E. Ford, Sr.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education and the Workforce
105th-107th
H. Government Reform and Oversight
105th
H. Government Reform
106th
H. Financial Services
107th-109th
H. Budget
108th-109th
FRANKS, GARY A., a Representative from Connecticut. Born on February 9, 1953.
Elected as a Republican to the 102nd through 104th Congresses; served from
January 3, 1991, to January 3, 1997. First black Member of Congress from
Connecticut.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Armed Services
102nd
H. Small Business
102nd
H. Energy and Commerce
103rd
H. Commerce
104th
H. Select Committee on Aging
102nd
FRAZER, VICTOR O., a Delegate from the U.S.Virgin Islands. Born on May 24,
1943. Elected as a Democrat to the 104th Congress; served from January 3,
1995, to January 3, 1997.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. International Relations
104th

CRS-18
GRAY, WILLIAM H., III, a Representative from Pennsylvania. Born on August 20,
1941. Elected as a Democrat to the 96th through 102nd Congresses; served from
January 3, 1979, to September 11, 1991, when he resigned to become president
of the United Negro College Fund. Chair of the House Democratic Caucus in
the First Session of the 101st Congress; later in that Congress House Democratic
Whip (through the First Session of the 102nd Congress).
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Budget
96th, 98th-100th
(committee chair, 99th-100th)
H. District of Columbia
96th-102nd
H. Foreign Affairs
96th
H. Appropriations
97th-102nd
H. House Administration
102nd
Jt. Deficit Reduction
100th
GREEN, AL, a Representative from Texas. Born on September 1, 1947. Elected as
a Democrat to the 109th Congress; has served since January 4, 2005.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Financial Services
109th
H. Science
109th
HALL, KATIE B., a Representative from Indiana. Born on April 3, 1938. Elected
as a Democrat to the 97th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of
Representative Adam Benjamin; reelected to the 98th Congress; served from
November 29, 1982, to January 3, 1985. First black Member of Congress from
Indiana.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Post Office and Civil Service
98th
H. Public Works and Transportation
98th
HARALSON, JEREMIAH, a Representative from Alabama. Born on April 1, 1846,
died in 1916. Elected as a Republican to the 44th Congress; served from March
4, 1875, to March 3, 1877.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Public Expenditures
44th

CRS-19
HASTINGS, ALCEE L., a Representative from Florida. Born on September 5, 1936.
Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through 108th Congresses; reelected to the
109th Congress; has served since January 5, 1993.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Foreign Affairs
103rd
H. International Relations
104th-107th
H. Merchant Marine and Fisheries
103rd
H. Post Office and Civil Service
103rd
H. Science
104th-105th
H. Select Intelligence
106th-109th
H. Rules
107th-109th
HAWKINS, AUGUSTUS F., a Representative from California. Born on August 31,
1907. Elected as a Democrat to the 88th through 101st Congresses; served from
January 3, 1963, to January 3, 1991. First black Member of Congress from
California.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education and Labor
88th-101st
(committee chair, 98th, 2nd
sess. - 101st)
H. House Administration
91st-98th
(committee chair, 97th - 98th,
2nd sess.)
Jt. Committee on Printing
95th-98th
(committee chair, 96th, 98th)
Jt. Committee on the Library
97th-98th
(committee chair, 97th)
Jt. Economic
97th-101st
HAYES, CHARLES A., a Representative from Illinois. Born on February 17, 1918;
died on April 8, 1997. Elected as a Democrat to the 98th Congress to fill the
vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative Harold Washington;
reelected to the 99th through 102nd Congresses; served from September 12, 1983,
to January 3, 1993.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education and Labor
98th-102nd
H. Small Business
98th-101st
H. Post Office and Civil Service
101st-102nd

CRS-20
HILLIARD, EARL F., a Representative from Alabama. Born on April 9, 1942.
Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through 106th Congresses; reelected to the
107th Congress; served from January 5, 1993, to January 3, 2003.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Agriculture
103rd-107th
H. Small Business
103rd-104th
H. International Relations
105th-107th
HYMAN, JOHN ADAMS, a Representative from North Carolina. Born on July 23,
1840; died on September 14, 1891. Elected as a Republican to the 44th
Congress; served from March 4, 1875, to March 3, 1877. First black Member
of Congress from North Carolina.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Manufactures
44th
JACKSON, JESSE L., JR., a Representative from Illinois. Born on March 11, 1965.
Elected as a Democrat to the 104th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the
resignation of Representative Melvin Reynolds; reelected to the 105th through
109th Congresses; has served since December 14, 1995.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services
104th-105th
H. Small Business
105th
H. Appropriations
106th-109th
JACKSON LEE, SHEILA, a Representative from Texas. Born on January 12, 1950.
Elected as a Democrat to the 104th through 108th Congresses; reelected to the
109th Congress; has served since January 3, 1995.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Judiciary
104th-109th
H. Science
104th-109th
H. Homeland Security
108th-109th

CRS-21
JEFFERSON, WILLIAM J., a Representative from Louisiana. Born on March 14,
1947. Elected as a Democrat to the 102nd through 108th Congresses; reelected
to the 109th Congress; has served since January 3, 1991.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education and Labor
102nd
H. Merchant Marine and Fisheries
102nd
H. District of Columbia
103rd
H. Ways and Means
103rd, 105th-109th
H. National Security
104th
H. House Oversight
104th
H. Budget
109th
Jt. Printing
104th
JOHNSON, EDDIE BERNICE, a Representative from Texas. Born on December
3, 1935. Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through 108th Congresses; reelected
to the 109th Congress; has served since January 5, 1993. Chair of the
Congressional Black Caucus in the 107th Congress.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Public Works and Transportation
103rd
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
104th-109th
H. Science, Space, and Technology
103rd
H. Science
104th-109th
JONES, STEPHANIE TUBBS, a Representative from Ohio. Born on September 10,
1949. Elected as a Democrat to the 106th through 108th Congresses; reelected
to the 109th Congress; has served since January 3, 1999.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services
106th
H. Financial Services
107th
H. Small Business
106th
H. Standards of Official Conduct
107th-109th
H. Ways and Means
108th-109th

CRS-22
JORDAN, BARBARA C., a Representative from Texas. Born on February 21,
1936; died on January 17, 1996. Elected as a Democrat to the 93rd through 95th
Congresses; served from January 3, 1973, to January 3, 1979. First black
Member of Congress from Texas.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Judiciary
93rd-95th
H. Government Operations
94th-95th
KILPATRICK, CAROLYN CHEEKS, a Representative from Michigan. Born on
June 25, 1945. Elected as a Democrat to the 105th through 108th Congresses;
reelected to the 109th Congress; has served since January 7, 1997.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services
105th
H. House Oversight
105th
Jt. Committee on the Library
105th
H. Appropriations
106th-109th
LANGSTON, JOHN M., a Representative from Virginia. Born on December 14,
1829; died on November 15, 1897. Elected as a Republican to the 51st
Congress; served from September 23, 1890, to March 3, 1891, after he
successfully contested the election of Edward Venable. First black Member of
Congress from Virginia.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education
51st
LEE, BARBARA, a Representative from California. Born on July 16, 1946. Elected
as a Democrat to the 105th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation
of Representative Ronald Dellums; reelected to the 106th through 109th
Congresses; has served since April 20, 1998.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services
105th-106th
H. Financial Services
107th-109th
H. Science
105th
H. International Relations
106th-109th


CRS-23
LELAND, GEORGE T. (MICKEY), a Representative from Texas. Born on
November 27, 1944; died on August 7, 1989. Elected as a Democrat to the 96th
through 101st Congresses; served from January 3, 1979, to August 7, 1989.
Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus during the 99th Congress, 1985-1986.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. District of Columbia
96th-99th
H. Interstate and Foreign Commerce
96th-101st
H. Post Office and Civil Service
96th-101st
H. Select Hunger
98th-101st
(committee chair, 98th-101st)
H. Select Children, Youth, and Families
98th
LEWIS, JOHN R., a Representative from Georgia. Born on February 19, 1940.
Elected as a Democrat to the 100th through 108th Congresses; reelected to the
109th Congress; has served since January 6, 1987. A Democratic Chief Deputy
Whip in the 102nd through 109th Congresses.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Public Works and Transportation
100th-102nd
H. Interior and Insular Affairs
100th-102nd
H. Select Aging
101st-102nd
H. District of Columbia
103rd
H. Ways and Means
103rd-109th
H. Budget
108th
LONG, JEFFERSON F., a Representative from Georgia. Born on March 3, 1836;
died on February 5, 1900. Elected as a Republican to the 41st Congress after the
House declared that Representative Samuel Gove was not entitled to his seat;
served from January 16, 1871, to March 3, 1871. First black Member of
Congress from Georgia.
Committee Assignments
Congress
None


CRS-24
LYNCH, JOHN R., a Representative from Mississippi. Born on September 10,
1847; died on November 2, 1939. Elected as a Republican to the 43rd, 44th, and
47th Congresses; served from March 4, 1873, to March 3, 1877, and from April
29, 1882, to March 3, 1883, after he successfully contested the election of
Representative James Chalmers. At age 26, he was the youngest Member of the
43rd Congress. First black Member of the House of Representatives from
Mississippi.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Mines and Mining
43rd-44th
H. Militia
47th
H. Education and Labor
47th
McKINNEY, CYNTHIA A., a Representative from Georgia. Born on March 17,
1955. Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through 107th Congresses; served from
January 5, 1993, to January 3, 2003; elected to the 109th Congress; has served
since January 4, 2005.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Agriculture
103rd
H. Foreign Affairs
103rd
H. International Relations
104th-107th
H. Banking and Financial Services
104th-105th
H. National Security
105th
H. Armed Services
106th-107th, 109th
H. Budget
109th
MAJETTE, DENISE L., a Representative from Georgia. Born on May 18, 1955.
Elected as a Democrat to the 108th Congress; served from January 7, 2003, to
January 3, 2005.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Budget
108th
H. Education and the Workforce
108th
H. Small Business
108th

CRS-25
MEEK, CARRIE P., a Representative from Florida. Born on April 29, 1926.
Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through 107th Congresses; served from
January 5, 1993, to January 3, 2003. Succeeded by her son, Representative
Kendrick Meek.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Appropriations
103rd, 105th-107th
H. Budget
104th
H. Government Reform and Oversight
104th
MEEK, KENDRICK, a Representative from Florida. Born on September 6, 1966.
Elected to the 108th Congress; reelected to the 109th Congress; has served since
January 7, 2003. Succeeded his mother, Representative Carrie Meek.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Armed Services
108th -109th
H. Homeland Security
108th -109th
MEEKS, GREGORY, a Representative from New York. Born on September 25,
1953. Elected as a Democrat to the 105th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by
the resignation of Representative Floyd Flake; reelected to the 106th through
109th Congresses; has served since February 5, 1998.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services
105th-106th
H. Financial Services
107th-109th
H. International Relations
106th-109th
METCALFE, RALPH H., a Representative from Illinois. Born on May 30, 1910;
died on October 10, 1978. Elected as a Democrat to the 92nd through 95th
Congresses; served from January 3, 1971, to October 10, 1978.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Interstate and Foreign Commerce
92nd-95th
H. Merchant Marine and Fisheries
92nd-95th
H. Post Office and Civil Service
95th

CRS-26
MFUME, KWEISI, a Representative from Maryland. Born on October 24, 1948.
Elected as a Democrat to the 100th through 104th Congresses; served from
January 6, 1987, to February 16, 1996, when he resigned to become executive
director of the NAACP. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 103rd
Congress, 1993-1994. Co-chair of the Democratic Policy Committee in the
104th Congress, 1995-1996.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs
100th-103rd
H. Banking and Financial Services
104th
H. Small Business
100th-104th
H. Education and Labor
101st
H. Select Narcotics Abuse and Control
101st-102nd
Jt. Economic
102nd-104th
H. Standards of Official Conduct
103rd
H. Select Hunger
100th
MILLENDER-McDONALD, JUANITA, a Representative from California. Born on
September 7, 1938. Elected as a Democrat to the 104th Congress to fill the vacancy
caused by the resignation of Representative Walter Tucker; reelected to the 105th
through 109th Congresses; has served since April 16, 1996.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Small Business
104th-109th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
104th-109th
H. Administration
108th-109th
Jt. Library
108th
MILLER, THOMAS E., a Representative from South Carolina. Born on June 17,
1849; died on April 8, 1936. Elected as a Republican to the 51st Congress;
served from September 24, 1890, to March 3, 1891, when he successfully
contested the election of William Elliott.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Library of Congress
51st

CRS-27
MITCHELL, ARTHUR W., a Representative from Illinois. Born on December 22,
1883; died on May 9, 1968. Elected as a Democrat to the 74th through 77th
Congresses; served from January 3, 1935, to January 3, 1943. First black
Democrat elected to Congress.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Post Office and Post Roads
74th-77th
MITCHELL, PARREN J., a Representative from Maryland. Born on April 29, 1922.
Elected as a Democrat to the 92nd through 99th Congresses; served from January
3, 1971, to January 3, 1987. First black Member of Congress from Maryland.
Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus during the 95th Congress, 1977-1978.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking and Currency
92nd-93rd
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs
94th-99th
H. Select Small Business
92nd-93rd
H. Small Business
94th, 96th-99th
(committee chair, 97th-99th)
H. Budget
93rd -95th
Jt. Defense Production
94th-95th
Jt. Economic
95th-99th
MOORE, GWEN, a Representative from Wisconsin. Born on April 18, 1951.
Elected as Democrat to the 109th Congress; has served since January 4, 2005.
First black Member of Congress from Wisconsin.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Financial Services
109th
H. Small Business
109th
MOSELEY-BRAUN, CAROL, a Senator from Illinois. Born on August 16, 1947.
Elected as a Democrat to a six- year term beginning with the 103rd Congress
and served through the105th Congress; from January 5, 1993, to January 3, 1999.
First black woman and black Democrat to serve in the Senate. Ambassador to
New Zealand from 1999-2001; candidate for U.S. President in 2004.
Committee Assignments
Congress
S. Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
103rd-105th
S. Judiciary
103rd
S. Small Business
103rd
S. Finance
104th-105th
S. Special Aging
104th-105th

CRS-28
MURRAY, GEORGE W., a Representative from South Carolina. Born on
September 22, 1853; died on April 21, 1926. Elected as a Republican to the
53rd and 54th Congresses; served from March 4, 1893, to March 3, 1895, and
from June 4, 1896, to March 3, 1897 (successfully contested an election).
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education
53rd-54th
H. Expenditures in the Treasury
54th
Department
NASH, CHARLES E., a Representative from Louisiana. Born on May 23, 1844;
died on June 21, 1913. Elected as a Republican to the 44th Congress; served
from March 4, 1875, to March 3, 1877. First black Member of Congress from
Louisiana.
Committee Assignment
Congress
H. Education and Labor
44th
NIX, ROBERT N.C., Sr., a Representative from Pennsylvania. Born on August 9,
1905; died on June 22, 1987. Elected as a Democrat to the 85th Congress to fill
the vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative Earl Chudoff; reelected
to the 86th through 95th Congresses; served from June 4, 1958, to January 3,
1979. First black Member of Congress from Pennsylvania.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Merchant Marine and Fisheries
85th-86th
H. Foreign Affairs
87th-93rd
H. International Relations
94th-95th
H. Veterans’ Affairs
85th-86th
H. Post Office and Civil Service
88th-95th
(committee chair, 95th)
H. Select Standards and Conduct
89th
H. Crime
91st

CRS-29
NORTON, ELEANOR HOLMES, a Delegate from the District of Columbia. Born
on June 13, 1937. Elected as a Democrat to the 102nd through 108th Congresses;
reelected to the 109th Congress; has served since January 3, 1991.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. District of Columbia
102nd-103rd
H. Post Office and Civil Service
102nd-103rd
H. Public Works and Transportation
102nd-103rd
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
104th-109th
H. Government Reform and Oversight
104th-105th
H. Small Business
104th
Jt. Committee on the Organization of
102nd-103rd
Congress
H. Government Reform
106th-109th
H. Homeland Security
108th-109th
OBAMA, BARACK, a Senator from Illinois. Born on August 4, 1961. Elected as
a Democrat to a six-year term beginning with the 109th Congress; has served
since January 4, 2005. First black male Democrat elected to the Senate.
Committee Assignments
Congress
S. Environment and Public Works
109th
S. Foreign Relations
109th
S. Veterans’ Affairs
109th
O’HARA, JAMES E., a Representative from North Carolina. Born on February 26,
1844; died on September 15, 1905. Elected as a Republican to the 48th and 49th
Congresses; served from March 4, 1883, to March 3, 1887.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Mines and Mining
48th
H. Expenditures on Public Buildings
49th
H. Invalid Pensions
49th

CRS-30
OWENS, MAJOR R., a Representative from New York. Born on June 28, 1936.
Elected as a Democrat to the 98th through 108th Congresses; reelected to the
109th Congress; has served since January 3, 1983.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education and Labor
98th-103rd
H. Economic and Educational
104th
Opportunities
H. Government Operations
98th-103rd
H. Government Reform and Oversight
104th-105th
H. Education and the Workforce
105th-109th
H. Government Reform
106th-109th
PAYNE, DONALD M., a Representative from New Jersey. Born on July 16, 1934.
Elected as a Democrat to the 101st through 108th Congresses; reelected to the
109th Congress; has served since January 3, 1989. First black Member of
Congress from New Jersey. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the
104th Congress, 1995-1996.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education and Labor
101st-103rd
H. Economic and Educational Opportunities
104th
H. Education and the Workforce
105th-109th
H. Foreign Affairs
101st-103rd
H. Government Operations
101st-103rd
H. International Relations
104th-109th
POWELL, ADAM CLAYTON, Jr., a Representative from New York. Born on
November 29, 1908; died on April 4, 1972. Elected as a Democrat to the 79th
through 90th Congresses, but was not seated in the 90th Congress (excluded from
that Congress on March 1, 1967). He served from January 3, 1945, to January
3, 1967. In April 1967, he was reelected in a special election to the seat from
which he had been excluded, but he did not attempt to take the oath of office.
He was reelected to the 91st Congress and served from January 3, 1969, to
January 3, 1971. First black Member of Congress from New York.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Indian Affairs
79th
H. Invalid Pensions
79th
H. Labor
79th
H. Education and Labor
80th-89th, 91st
(committee chair, 87th-89th)
H. Interior and Insular Affairs
84th-86th

CRS-31
RAINEY, JOSEPH H., a Representative from South Carolina. Born on June 21,
1832; died on August 2, 1887. Elected as a Republican to the 41st Congress
when the House declared the seat of Representative Benjamin Whittemore
vacant; reelected to the 42nd through 45th Congresses; served from December 12,
1870, to March 3, 1879. First black Member of the House of Representatives
and first black Member of Congress from South Carolina.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Freedmen’s Affairs
41st-42nd
H. Indian Affairs
43rd
H. Invalid Pensions
44th-45th
H. Select Celebration of Proposed
43rd
National Census of 1875
RANGEL, CHARLES B., a Representative from New York. Born on June 11,
1930. Elected as a Democrat to the 92nd through 108th Congresses; reelected to
the 109th Congress; has served since January 3, 1971. Chair of the
Congressional Black Caucus during the 94th Congress, 1975.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Public Works
92nd
H. Science and Astronautics
92nd
H. Judiciary
92nd-93rd
H. District of Columbia
93rd
H. Ways and Means
94th-109th
H. Select Crime
92nd-93rd
H. Select Narcotics Abuse and Control
94th-102nd
(committee chair, 98th-102nd)
Jt. Taxation
104th-105th
RANSIER, ALONZO J., a Representative from South Carolina. Born on January 3,
1834; died on August 17, 1882. Elected as a Republican to the 43rd Congress;
served from March 3, 1873, to March 3, 1875.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Manufactures
43rd
RAPIER, JAMES T., a Representative from Alabama. Born on November 13, 1837;
died on May 31, 1883. Elected as a Republican to the 43rd Congress; served
from March 4, 1873, to March 3, 1875.
Committee Assignment
Congress
H. Education and Labor
43rd

CRS-32
REVELS, HIRAM R., a Senator from Mississippi. Born on September 27, 1827;
died on January 16, 1901. Elected as a Republican to the 41st Congress after
Mississippi was readmitted to the union, and served from February 25, 1870, to
March 3, 1871. First black Member of Congress; first black Senator; first black
Republican elected to Congress; first black Member of Congress from
Mississippi.
Committee Assignments
Congress
S. Education and Labor
41st
S. District of Columbia
41st
REYNOLDS, MELVIN J., a Representative from Illinois. Born on January 8, 1952.
Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd and 104th Congresses; served from January
5, 1993, until his resignation on October 1, 1995.
Committee Assignment
Congress
H. Ways and Means
103rd
H. Economic and Educational
104th
Opportunities
RUSH, BOBBY L., a Representative from Illinois. Born on November 23, 1946.
Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through 108th Congresses; reelected to the
109th Congress; has served since January 5, 1993.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs
103rd
H. Government Operations
103rd
H. Science, Space, and Technology
103rd
H. Commerce
104th-106th
H. Energy and Commerce
107th-109th
SAVAGE, GUS, a Representative from Illinois. Born on October 30, 1925. Elected
as a Democrat to the 97th through 102nd Congresses; served from January 3,
1981, to January 3, 1993.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Post Office and Civil Service
97th
H. Public Works and Transportation
97th-102nd
H. Small Business
97th-102nd

CRS-33
SCOTT, DAVID, a Representative from Georgia. Born on June 27, 1946. Elected
as a Democrat to the 108th Congress; reelected to the 109th Congress; has served
since January 7, 2003.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Agriculture
108th -109th
H. Financial Services
108th- 109th
SCOTT, ROBERT C., a Representative from Virginia. Born on April 30, 1947.
Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through 108th Congresses; reelected to the
109th Congress; has served since January 5, 1993.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education and Labor
103rd
H. Judiciary
103rd-109th
H. Science, Space, and Technology
103rd
H. Economic and Educational
104th
Opportunities
H. Education and the Workforce
105th-107th, 109th
H. Select U.S. National Security and Military/
106th
Commercial Concerns with the People’s
Republic of China
H. Budget
108th
SMALLS, ROBERT, a Representative from South Carolina. Born on April 5, 1839;
died on February 22, 1915. Elected as a Republican to the 44th, 45th, and 47th
through 49th Congresses. He served from March 4, 1875, to March 3, 1879;
from July 19, 1882, to March 3, 1883, after he successfully contested the
reelection of Representative George Tillman; and from March 18, 1884, to
March 3, 1887, after he was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of
Representative Edmund Mackey.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Agriculture
44th, 47th
H. Militia
45th
H. Manufactures
48th
H. War Claims
49th
STEWART, BENNETT M., a Representative from Illinois. Born on August 6, 1912;
died on April 26, 1988. Elected as a Democrat to the 96th Congress; served
from January 3, 1979, to January 3, 1981.
Committee Assignment
Congress
H. Appropriations
96th

CRS-34
STOKES, LOUIS, a Representative from Ohio. Born on February 23, 1925. Elected
as a Democrat to the 91st through 105th Congresses; served from January 3,
1969, to January 3, 1999. First black Member of Congress from Ohio. Chair
of the Congressional Black Caucus during the 92nd and 93rd Congresses, 1972-
1974.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education and Labor
91st
H. Internal Security
91st
H. Appropriations
92nd-105th
H. Budget
95th-96th
H. Standards of Official Conduct
96th-98th, 102nd
(committee chair, 97th-98th,
102nd)
H. Select Assassinations
94th-95th
(committee chair, 95th)
H. Select Intelligence
98th-100th
H. Select to Investigate Arms
100th
Transactions to Iran
THOMPSON, BENNIE G., a Representative from Mississippi. Born on January 28,
1948. Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd Congress to fill the vacancy caused
by the resignation of Representative Mike Espy to become Secretary of
Agriculture; reelected to the 104th through 109th Congresses; has served since
April 20, 1993.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Agriculture
103rd-108th
H. Merchant Marine and Fisheries
103rd
H. Small Business
103rd-104th
H. Budget
105th-107th
H. Homeland Security
108th-109th
TOWNS, EDOLPHUS, a Representative from New York. Born on July 21, 1934.
Elected as a Democrat to the 98th through 108th Congresses; reelected to the
109th Congress; has served since January 3, 1983. Chair of the Congressional
Black Caucus in the 102nd Congress, 1991-1992.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Government Operations
98th-103rd
H. Government Reform and Oversight
104th-105th
H. Government Reform
106th-109th
H. Public Works and Transportation
98th-104th
H. Energy and Commerce
101st-103rd, 107th-109th
H. Commerce
104th-106th
H. Select Narcotics Abuse and Control
98th-102nd

CRS-35
TUCKER, WALTER R., a Representative from California. Born on May 28, 1957.
Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd and 104th Congresses; served from January
5, 1993, until his resignation on December 15, 1995.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Public Works and Transportation
103rd
H. Small Business
103rd-104th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
104th
TURNER, BENJAMIN S., a Representative from Alabama. Born on March 17,
1825; died on March 21, 1894. Elected as a Republican to the 42nd Congress;
served from March 4, 1871, to March 3, 1873. First black Member of Congress
from Alabama.
Committee Assignment
Congress
H. Invalid Pensions
42nd
WALDON, ALTON R., Jr., a Representative from New York. Born on December
21, 1936. Elected as a Democrat to the 99th Congress to fill the vacancy caused
by the death of Representative Joseph Addabo; served from July 29, 1986, to
January 3, 1987.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education and Labor
99th
H. Small Business
99th
WALLS, JOSIAH T., a Representative from Florida. Born on December 30, 1842;
died on May 5, 1905. Elected as a Republican to the 42nd through 44th
Congresses; served from March 4, 1871, to January 29, 1873 (when his election
was successfully contested); from March 4, 1873, to March 3, 1875; and from
March 4, 1875, to April 19, 1876 (when his election was successfully
contested). First black Member of Congress from Florida.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Militia
42nd-43rd
H. Mileage
44th

CRS-36
WASHINGTON, CRAIG A., a Representative from Texas. Born on October 12,
1941. Elected as a Democrat to the 101st Congress to fill the vacancy caused by
the death of Representative Mickey Leland; reelected to the 102nd and 103rd
Congresses; served from December 9, 1989, to January 3, 1995.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education and Labor
101st-102nd
H. Judiciary
101st-103rd
H. Energy and Commerce
103rd
H. Government Operations
103rd
H. Select Committee on Narcotics
102nd
Abuse and Control
WASHINGTON, HAROLD D., a Representative from Illinois. Born on April 15,
1922; died on November 25, 1987. Elected as a Democrat to the 97th and 98th
Congresses; served from January 3, 1981, to April 29, 1983, when he resigned
to become Mayor of Chicago, Illinois.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Government Operations
97th
H. Education and Labor
97th-98th
H. Judiciary
97th-98th
WATERS, MAXINE, a Representative from California. Born on August 31, 1938.
Elected as a Democrat to the 102nd through 108th Congresses, reelected to the
109th Congress; has served since January 3, 1991. Chair of the Congressional
Black Caucus in the 105th Congress; vice chair of the Democratic Steering
Committee in the 105th through 108th Congresses; a Democratic Chief Deputy
Whip in the 106th through 109th Congresses.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs
102nd-103rd
H. Banking and Financial Services
104th-106th
H. Financial Services
107th-109th
H. Veterans Affairs
102nd-104th
H. Small Business
103rd-104th
H. Judiciary
105th-109th


CRS-37
WATSON, DIANE E., a Representative from California. Born on November 12,
1933. Elected as a Democrat to the 107th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by
the death of Representative Julian Dixon; reelected to the 108th-109th
Congresses; has served since June 7, 2001.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. International Relations
107th-109th
H. Government Reform
107th-109th
WATT, MELVIN L., a Representative from North Carolina. Born on August 26,
1945. Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through 108th Congresses; reelected
to the 109th Congress; has served since January 5, 1993. Chair of the
Congressional Black Caucus in the 109th Congress.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs
103rd
H. Banking and Financial Services
104th-106th
H. Financial Services
107th-109th
H. Post Office and Civil Service
103rd
H. Judiciary
103rd-109th
Jt. Economic
107th-108th
WATTS, J.C., Jr., a Representative from Oklahoma. Born on November 18, 1957.
Elected as a Republican to the 104th through 107th Congresses; served from
January 3, 1995, to January 3, 2003. First black Member of Congress from
Oklahoma. Chair of the House Republican Conference in the 106th through
107th Congresses.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services
104th
H. National Security
104th-105th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
105th-106th
H. Armed Services
106th-107th
WHEAT, ALAN D., a Representative from Missouri. Born on October 16, 1951.
Elected as a Democrat to the 98th through 103rd Congresses; served from January
3, 1983, to January 3, 1995.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. District of Columbia
98th-103rd
H. Rules
98th-103rd
H. Select Children, Youth, and Families
98th-102nd
H. Select Hunger
101st-102nd

CRS-38
WHITE, GEORGE H., a Representative from North Carolina. Born on December
18, 1852; died on December 28, 1918. Elected as a Republican to the 55th and
56th Congresses; served from March 4, 1897, to March 3, 1901.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Agriculture
55th
H. District of Columbia
55th-56th
WYNN, ALBERT R., a Representative from Maryland. Born on September 10,
1951. Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through 108th Congresses; reelected to
the 109th Congress; has served since January 5, 1993.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs
103rd
H. Banking and Financial Services
104th
H. Foreign Affairs
103rd
H. International Relations
104th
H. Post Office and Civil Service
103rd
H. Commerce
105th-106th
H. Energy and Commerce
107th-109th
YOUNG, ANDREW, a Representative from Georgia. Born on March 12, 1932.
Elected as a Democrat to the 93rd through 95th Congresses; served from January
3, 1973, to January 29, 1977, when he resigned to become U.S. Ambassador to
the United Nations. Elected Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, in 1981.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking, Currency, and Housing
93rd
H. Rules
94th

CRS-39
Table 1. Black Members of Congress — Senate
Name
Congress(es)
Years
State
Party
Brooke, Edward W.
90th-95th
1967-1979
MA
R
Bruce, Blanche K.
44th-46th
1875-1881
MS
R
Moseley-Braun, Carol
103rd-105th 1993-1999
IL
D
Obama, Barack
109th-
2005-
IL
D
Revels, Hiram R.a
41st
1870-1871
MS
R
a. Seated after Mississippi was readmitted to the Union on Feb. 23, 1870; first black Member of
Congress.
Table 2. Black Members of Congress —
House of Representatives
Name
Congress(es)
Years
State
District*
Party
Ballance, Frank W., Jr.
108th 2003-2004
NC
1st
D
Bishop, Sanford D., Jr.
103rd-
1993-
GA
2nd
D
Blackwell, Lucien E.a
102nd-103rd
1991-1995
PA
2nd
D
Brown, Corrine
103rd-
1993-
FL
3rd
D
Burke, Yvonne B.
93rd-95th
1973-1979
CA
28th
D
Butterfield, G.K.b
108th- 2004-
NC
1st
D
Cain, Richard Harvey
43rd
1873-1875
SC
AL
R
45th
1877-1879
Carson, Julia M.
105th-
1997-
IN
10th, 7th
D
Cheatham, Henry P.
51st-52nd
1889-1893
NC
2nd
R
Chisholm, Shirley A.c
91st-97th
1969-1983
NY
12th
D
Christian-Christensen, Donna 105th-
1997-
VI
AL D
Clay, William L., Sr.
91st-106th 1969-2001
MO
1st
D
Clay, William Lacy, Jr.
107th-
2001-
MO
1st
D
Clayton, Eva M.d
102nd-107th 1992-2003
NC
1st
D
Cleaver, Emanuel
109th-
2005-
MO
5th
D
Clyburn, James E.
103rd-
1993-
SC
6th
D
Collins, Barbara-Rose
102nd-104th
1991-1997
MI
15th
D

CRS-40
Name
Congress(es)
Years
State
District*
Party
Collins, Cardisse
93rd-104th
1973-1997
IL
7th
D
Collins, George W.f
91st-92nd
1970-1972
IL
6th
D
Conyers, John, Jr.
89th-
1965-
MI
14th
D
Crockett, George W.g
96th-101st
1980-1991
MI
13th
D
Cummings, Elijah E.h
104th-
1996-
MD
7th
D
Davis, Artur
108th-
2003-
AL
7th
D
Davis, Danny K.
105th-
1997-
IL
7th
D
Dawson, William L.i
78th-91st
1943-1970
IL
1st
D
DeLarge, Robert C.j
42nd
1871-1873
SC
2nd
R
Dellums, Ronald V.
92nd-105th 1971-1998
CA
8th
D
DePriest, Oscar S.
71st-73rd
1929-1935
IL
1st
R
Diggs, Charles C., Jr.k
84th-96th
1955-1980
MI
13th
D
Dixon, Julian C.l
96th-106th 1979-2000
CA
32nd
D
Dymally, Mervyn M.
97th-102nd
1981-1993
CA
31st
D
Elliott, Robert B.m
42nd-43rd
1871-1874
SC
3rd
R
Espy, Albert M. (Mike)n
100th-103rd
1987-1993
MS
2nd
D
Evans, Melvin H.
96th
1979-1981
VI
AL
R
Fattah, Chaka
104th-
1995-
PA
2nd
D
Fauntroy, Walter E.o
92nd-101st
1971-1991
DC
AL
D
Fields, Cleo
103rd-104th
1993-1997
LA
4th
D
Flake, Floyd H.
100th-105th 1987-1997
NY
6th
D
Ford, Harold E., Jr.
105th-
1997-
TN
9th
D
Ford, Harold E., Sr.
94th-104th
1975-1997
TN
9th
D
Franks, Gary A.
102nd-104th
1991-1997
CT
5th
R
Frazer, Victor O.
104th
1995
VI
AL
D
Gray, William H., IIIp
96th-102nd
1979-1991
PA
2nd
D
Green, Al
109th-
2005-
TX
9th
D
Hall, Katie B.q
97th-98th
1982-1985
IN
1st
D
Haralson, Jeremiah
44th
1875-1877
AL
1st
R
Hastings, Alcee L.
103rd-
1993-
FL
23rd
D

CRS-41
Name
Congress(es)
Years
State
District*
Party
Hawkins, Augustus F.
88th-101st
1963-1991
CA
29th
D
Hayes, Charles A.r
98th-102nd
1983-1993
IL
1st
D
Hilliard, Earl F.
103rd-107th 1993-2003
AL
7th
D
Hyman, John Adams
44th
1875-1877
NC
2nd
R
Jackson, Jesse L., Jr.s
104th-
1995-
IL
2nd
D
Jackson Lee, Sheila
104th-
1995-
TX
18th
D
Jefferson, William J.
102nd-
1991-
LA
2nd
D
Johnson, Eddie Bernice
103rd-
1993-
TX
30th
D
Jones, Stephanie Tubbs
106th- 1999-
OH
11th
D
Jordan, Barbara C.
93rd-95th
1973-1979
TX
18th
D
Kilpatrick, Carolyn C.
105th-
1997-
MI
15th, 13th
D
Langston, John M.t
51st
1890-1891
VA
4th
R
Lee, Barbarau
105th-
1998-
CA
9th
D
Leland, George T. (Mickey)v
96th-101st
1979-1989
TX
18th
D
Lewis, John R.
100th-
1987-
GA
5th
D
Long, Jefferson F.w
41st
1870-1871
GA
4th
R
Lynch, John R.x
43rd-44th
1873-1877
MS
7th
R
47th
1882-1883
McKinney, Cynthia A.
103rd- 107th
1993-2003
GA
4th
D
109th
2005-
Majette, Denise L.
108th 2003-2005
GA
4th
D
Meek, Carrie P.
103rd-107th
1993-2003
FL
17th
D
Meek, Kendrick
108th-
2003-
FL
17th
D
Meeks, Gregoryy
105th-
1998-
NY
6th
D
Metcalfe, Ralph H.z
92nd-95th
1971-1978
IL
1st
D
Mfume, Kweisiaa
100th-104th
1987-1996
MD
7th
D
Millender-McDonald,
104th-
1996-
CA
37th
D
Juanitaab
Miller, Thomas E.ac
51st
1890-1891
SC
7th
R
Mitchell, Arthur W.
74th-77th
1935-1943
IL
1st
D
Mitchell, Parren J.
92nd-99th
1971-1987
MD
7th
D
Moore, Gwen
109th 2005-
WI
4th
D

CRS-42
Name
Congress(es)
Years
State
District*
Party
Murray, George W.ad
53rd-54th
1893-1895
SC
7th
R
1896-1897
Nash, Charles E.
44th
1875-1877
LA
6th
R
Nix, Robert N.C., Sr.ae
85th-95th
1958-1979
PA
2nd
D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
102nd-
1991-
DC
AL
D
O’Hara, James E.
48th-49th
1883-1887
NC
2nd
R
Owens, Major R.
98th-
1983-
NY
11th
D
Payne, Donald M.
101st-
1989-
NJ
10th
D
Powell, Adam C.,Jr.af
79th-89th
1945-1967
NY
18th
D
91st
1969-1971
Rainey, Joseph H.ag
41st-45th
1870-1879
SC
1st
R
Rangel, Charles B.
92nd-
1971-
NY
15th
D
Ransier, Alonzo J.
43rd
1873-1875
SC
2nd
R
Rapier, James T.
43rd
1873-1875
AL
2nd
R
Reynolds, Melvin J.ah
103rd-104th
1993-1995
IL
2nd
D
Rush, Bobby L.
103rd-
1993-
IL
1st
D
Savage, Gus
97th-102nd
1981-1993
IL
2nd
D
Scott, David
108th-
2003-
GA
13th
D
Scott, Robert C.
103rd-
1993-
VA
3rd
D
Smalls, Robertai
44th-45th
1875-1879
SC
5th
R
47th
1882-1883
48th-49th
1884-1887
Stewart, Bennett M.
96th
1979-1981
IL
1st
D
Stokes, Louis
91st-105th 1969-1999
OH
21st
D
Thompson, Bennie G.aj
103rd-
1993-
MS
2nd
D
Towns, Edolphus
98th-
1983-
NY
10th
D
Tucker, Walter R.ak
103rd-104th
1993-1995
CA
37th
D
Turner, Benjamin S.
42nd
1871-1873
AL
1st
R
Waldon, Alton R., Jr.al
99th
1986-1987
NY
6th
D
Walls, Josiah T.am
42nd
1871-1873
FL
AL
R
43rd
1873-1875
44th
1875-1876
Washington, Craig A.an
101st-103rd
1989-1995
TX
18th
D

CRS-43
Name
Congress(es)
Years
State
District*
Party
Washington, Harold D.ao 97th-98th
1981-1983
IL
1st
D
Waters, Maxine
102nd-
1991-
CA
35th
D
Watson, Diane E.ap
107th -
2001-
CA
32nd, 33rd
D
Watt, Melvin L.
103rd-
1993-
NC
12th
D
Watts, J.C., Jr.
104th-107th 1995-2003
OK
4th
R
Wheat, Alan D.
98th-103rd
1983-1995
MO
5th
D
White, George H.
55th-58th
1897-1901
NC
2nd
R
Wynn, Albert R.
103rd-
1993-
MD
4th
D
Young, Andrew J.aq
93rd-95th
1973-1977
GA
5th
D
* The number noted for a Member’s congressional district is that which is now assigned to it or was
assigned to it when he or she was last in Congress. “AL” indicates that the Member served at-
large.
a. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. William Gray; seated on Nov. 13,
1991.
b. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Frank Ballance, seated on July 21,
2004.
c. First black woman elected to Congress and first black female presidential candidate, 1972.
d. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Walter Jones; took office on Nov. 5, 1992.
e. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of her husband, Rep. George W. Collins; seated on
June 7, 1973.
f. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Daniel J. Ronan; seated on Nov. 16, 1970.
He was subsequently killed in an airplane crash on Dec. 8, 1972.
g. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Charles C. Diggs, Jr.; seated on Nov.
12, 1980.
h. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Kweisi Mfume; seated on Apr. 25,
1996.
i. Died on Nov. 9, 1970.
j. Seat declared vacant on January 24, 1873, after Rep. Robert DeLarge’s election was successfully
contested.
k. Resigned from office on June 3, 1980.
l. Died on Dec. 8, 2000.
m. Resigned from office, effective Nov. 1, 1874.
n. Resigned from office on Jan. 25, 1993, to become Secretary of Agriculture.
o. Delegate from the District of Columbia. Elected in a special election and sworn in on Apr. 19,
1971.
p. Resigned from office on Sept. 11, 1991.
q. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Adam Benjamin; seated on Nov. 29, 1982.
r. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Harold Washington; seated on Sept.
12, 1983.
s. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Mel Reynolds; seated on Dec. 14,
1995.
t. Successfully contested the election of Rep. Edward C. Venable and served from Sept. 23, 1890, to
Mar. 3, 1891.
u. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Ronald Dellums; seated on Apr. 20,
1998.
v. Died in a plane crash on Aug. 7, 1989, while in Ethiopia on a fact-finding tour investigating hunger
among refugees.
w. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the House declaring that Rep. Samuel Gove was not entitled
to his seat; served from Dec. 22, 1870, to Mar. 3, 1871.

CRS-44
x. Successfully contested the election of Rep. James R. Chalmers to the 47th Congress; served from
Apr. 29, 1882, to Mar. 3, 1883.
y. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Floyd Flake; seated on Feb. 5, 1998.
z. Died on Oct. 10, 1978.
aa. Resigned from office on Feb. 16, 1996.
ab. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Walter Tucker; seated on Apr. 16,
1996.
ac. Successfully contested an election; served from Sept. 24, 1890, to Mar. 3, 1891.
ad. Successfully contested an election; served from June 4, 1896, to Mar. 3, 1897.
ae. First elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Earl Chudoff; seated on June 4,
1958.
af. Elected to the 90th Congress, but excluded and not seated. Reelected to the seat vacated by his
exclusion, but never took the oath of office. Reelected to the 91st Congress and seated.
Defeated for renomination to the 92nd Congress in 1970.
ag. First black Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Elected to the 41st Congress to fill the
vacancy caused by the House declaring the seat of Rep. Benjamin Whittemore vacant. Seated
on Dec. 12, 1870.
ah. Resigned from office on Oct. 1, 1995.
ai. Successfully contested an election and seated in the 47th Congress on July 19, 1882. Subsequently
elected to the 48th-49th Congresses; first elected to the 48th Congress to fill the vacancy caused
by the death of Rep. Edmund Mackey; seated on Mar. 18, 1884.
aj. Elected to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Mike Espy; seated on Apr. 20, 1993.
ak. Resigned from office on Dec. 15, 1995.
al. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Joseph Addabbo; seated on July 29, 1986.
am. Served from Mar. 4, 1871, until January 29, 1873, when seat was lost to Rep. Silas L. Niblack,
who successfully challenged his election. Served from Mar. 4, 1875, until Apr. 19, 1876, when
seat was lost to Rep. Jesse J. Finley, who successfully challenged his election.
an. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Mickey Leland; seated on Dec. 9, 1989.
ao. Resigned on Apr. 29, 1983, to become Mayor of Chicago, IL.
ap. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Julian Dixon; seated on June 7, 2001.
aq. Resigned his seat on Jan. 29, 1977, to become U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

CRS-45
Table 3. Number and Names of Black Members of Congress, by Congress
No.
Chamber
Names
109th Congress (2005-2007)
42
House
Sanford D. Bishop,Jr.
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.
Major R. Owens
Corrine Brown
Sheila Jackson Lee
Donald M. Payne
G.K. Butterfield
William J. Jefferson
Charles B. Rangel
Julia M. Carson
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Bobby L. Rush
Donna Christian-
Stephanie Tubbs Jones
David Scott
Christensen
Carolyn Cheeks
Robert C. Scott
William Lacy Clay, Jr.
Kilpatrick
Bennie G. Thompson
Emanuel Cleaver
Barbara Lee
Edolphus Towns
James E. Clyburn
John Lewis
Maxine Waters
John Conyers, Jr.
Cynthia McKinney
Diane E. Watson
Elijah E. Cummings
Kendrick Meek
Melvin L. Watt
Artur Davis
Gregory W. Meeks
Albert R. Wynn
Danny K. Davis
Juanita Millender-
Chaka Fattah
McDonald
Harold E. Ford, Jr.
Gwen Moore
Al Green
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Alcee L. Hastings
1
Senate
Barack Obama
108th Congress (2003-2005)a
39
House
Frank W. Ballance, Jr.b
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.
Major R. Owens
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.
Sheila Jackson Lee
Donald M. Payne
G.K. Butterfield
William J. Jefferson
Charles B. Rangel
Corrine Brown
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Bobby L. Rush
Julia M. Carson
Stephanie Tubbs Jones
David Scott
Donna Christian-
Carolyn Cheeks
Robert C. Scott
Christensen
Kilpatrick
Bennie G. Thompson
William Lacy Clay, Jr.
Barbara Lee
Edolphus Towns
James E. Clyburn
John Lewis
Maxine Waters
John Conyers, Jr.
Kendrick Meek
Diane E. Watson
Elijah E. Cummings
Gregory W. Meeks
Melvin L. Watt
Artur Davis
Juanita Millender-
Albert R. Wynn
Danny K. Davis
McDonald
Chaka Fattah
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Harold E. Ford, Jr.
Alcee L. Hastings
Senate
None

CRS-46
No.
Chamber
Names
107th Congress (2001-2003)c
39
House
Sanford D. Bishop Jr.
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.
Major R. Owens
Corrine Brown
Sheila Jackson Lee
Donald M. Payne
Julia Carson
William J. Jefferson
Charles B. Rangel
Donna Christian-
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Bobby L. Rush
Christensen
Stephanie Tubbs Jones
Robert C. Scott
William Lacy Clay, Jr.
Carolyn Cheeks
Bennie G. Thompson
Eva M. Clayton
Kilpatrick
Edolphus Towns
James E. Clyburn
Barbara Lee
Maxine Waters
John Conyers, Jr.
John Lewis
Diane E. Watson
Elijah E. Cummings
Cynthia A. McKinney
Melvin L. Watt
Danny K. Davis
Carrie P. Meek
J.C. Watts, Jr.
Chaka Fattah
Gregory W. Meeks
Albert R. Wynn
Harold E. Ford, Jr.
Juanita Millender-
Alcee L. Hastings
McDonald
Earl Hilliard
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Senate
None
106th Congress (1999-2001)
39
House
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.
Alcee L. Hastings
Juanita Millender-
Corrine Brown
Earl Hilliard
McDonald
Julia M. Carson
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Donna Christian-
Sheila Jackson Lee
Major R. Owens
Christensen
William J. Jefferson
Donald M. Payne
William L. Clay, Sr.
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Charles B. Rangel
Eva M. Clayton
Stephanie Tubbs Jones
Bobby L. Rush
James E. Clyburn
Carolyn Cheeks
Robert C. Scott
John Conyers, Jr.
Kilpatrick
Bennie G. Thompson
Elijah Cummings
Barbara Lee
Edolphus Towns
Danny K. Davis
John Lewis
Maxine Waters
Julian C. Dixond
Cynthia A. McKinney
Melvin L. Watt
Chaka Fattah
Carrie P. Meek
J.C. Watts, Jr.
Harold E. Ford, Jr.
Gregory W. Meeks
Albert R. Wynn
Senate
None

CRS-47
No.
Chamber
Names
105th Congress (1997-1999)e
39
House
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.
Floyd Flakeg
Juanita Millender-
Corrine Brown
Harold E. Ford, Jr.
McDonald
Julia M. Carson
Alcee L. Hastings
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Donna M. Christian-
Earl Hilliard
Major R. Owens
Green
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.
Donald M. Payne
William L. Clay, Sr.
Sheila Jackson Lee
Charles B. Rangel
Eva M. Clayton
William J. Jefferson
Bobby Rush
James E. Clyburn
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Robert Scott
John Conyers, Jr.
Carolyn Cheeks
Louis Stokes
Elijah Cummings
Kilpatrick
Bennie G. Thompson
Danny K. Davis
Barbara Lee
Edolphus Towns
Ronald V. Dellumsf
John Lewis
Maxine Waters
Julian C. Dixon
Cynthia A. McKinney
Melvin L. Watt
Chaka Fattah
Carrie P. Meek
J.C. Watts, Jr.
Gregory W. Meeks
Albert R. Wynn
1
Senate
Carol Moseley-Braun
104th Congress (1995-1997)h
40
House
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.
Gary Franks
Donald M. Payne
Corrine Brown
Victor Frazer
Charles B. Rangel
William L. Clay, Sr.
Alcee L. Hastings
Melvin J. Reynoldsj
Eva M. Clayton
Earl F. Hilliard
Bobby L. Rush
James E. Clyburn
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.
Robert Scott
Barbara-Rose Collins
William J. Jefferson
Louis Stokes
Cardiss Collins
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Bennie G. Thompson
John Conyers, Jr.
Sheila Jackson Lee
Edolphus Towns
Elijah E. Cummings
John Lewis
Walter Tuckerk
Ronald V. Dellums
Cynthia A. McKinney
Maxine Waters
Julian C. Dixon
Carrie P. Meek
Melvin L. Watt
Chaka Fattah
Kweisi Mfumei
J.C. Watts, Jr.
Cleo Fields
Juanita Millender-
Albert R. Wynn
Floyd H. Flake
McDonald
Harold E. Ford, Sr.
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Major R. Owens
1
Senate
Carol Moseley-Braun

CRS-48
No.
Chamber
Names
103rd Congress (1993-1995)l
39
House
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.
Harold E. Ford, Sr.
Melvin J. Reynolds
Lucien Blackwell
Gary Franks
Bobby L. Rush
Corrine Brown
Earl F. Hilliard
Robert Scott
William L. Clay, Sr.
Alcee L. Hastings
Louis Stokes
Eva M. Clayton
William J. Jefferson
Bennie G. Thompson
James E. Clyburn
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Edolphus Towns
Barbara-Rose Collins
John Lewis
Walter Tucker
Cardiss Collins
Cynthia A. McKinney
Craig Washington
John Conyers, Jr.
Carrie P. Meek
Maxine Waters
Ronald V. Dellums
Kweisi Mfume
Melvin L. Watt
Julian C. Dixon
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Alan D. Wheat
Mike Espym
Major R. Owens
Albert R. Wynn
Cleo Fields
Donald M. Payne
Floyd H. Flake
Charles B. Rangel
1
Senate
Carol Moseley-Braun
102nd Congress (1991-1993)n
27
House
Lucien Blackwell
Floyd H. Flake
Donald M. Payne
William L. Clay, Sr.
Harold E. Ford, Sr.
Charles B. Rangel
Eva M. Clayton
Gary Franks
Gus Savage
Barbara-Rose Collins
William Gray, IIIo
Louis Stokes
Cardiss Collins
Charles A. Hayes
Edolphus Towns
John Conyers, Jr.
William J. Jefferson
Craig A. Washington
Ronald V. Dellums
John Lewis
Maxine Waters
Julian C. Dixon
Kweisi Mfume
Alan D. Wheat
Mervyn M. Dymally
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Mike Espy
Major R. Owens
Senate
None
101st Congress (1989-1991)p
24
House
William L. Clay, Sr.
Floyd H. Flake
Donald M. Payne
Cardiss Collins
Harold E. Ford, Sr.
Charles B. Rangel
John Conyers, Jr.
William H. Gray, III
Gus Savage
George Crockett
Augustus F. Hawkins
Louis Stokes
Ronald V. Dellums
Charles A. Hayes
Edolphus Towns
Julian C. Dixon
Mickey Lelandq
Craig A. Washington
Mervyn M. Dymally
John Lewis
Alan D. Wheat
Mike Espy
Kweisi Mfume
Walter E. Fauntroy
Major R. Owens
Senate
None

CRS-49
No.
Chamber
Names
100th Congress (1987-1989)
23
House
William L. Clay, Sr.
Floyd H. Flake
Charles B. Rangel
Cardiss Collins
Harold E. Ford, Sr.
Gus Savage
John Conyers, Jr.
William H. Gray, III
Louis Stokes
George W. Crockett
Augustus F. Hawkins
Edolphus Towns
Ronald V. Dellums
Charles A. Hayes
Alan D. Wheat
Julian C. Dixon
Mickey Leland
Mervyn M. Dymally
John Lewis
Mike Espy
Kweisi Mfume
Walter E. Fauntroy
Major R. Owens
Senate
None
99th Congress (1985-1987)
21
House
William L. Clay, Sr.
Walter E. Fauntroy
Major R. Owens
Cardiss Collins
Harold E. Ford Sr.
Charles B. Rangel
John Conyers, Jr.
William H. Gray, III
Gus Savage
George W. Crockett
Augustus F. Hawkins
Louis Stokes
Ronald V. Dellums
Charles A. Hayes
Edolphus Towns
Julian C. Dixon
Mickey Leland
Alton Waldon, Jr.
Mervyn M. Dymally
Parren J. Mitchell
Alan D. Wheat
Senate
None
98th Congress (1983-1985)r
21
House
William L. Clay, Sr.
Harold E. Ford, Sr.
Charles B. Rangel
Cardiss Collins
William H. Gray, III
Gus Savage
John Conyers, Jr.
Katie Hall
Louis Stokes
George W. Crockett
Augustus F. Hawkins
Edolphus Towns
Ronald V. Dellums
Charles A. Hayes
Harold D. Washingtons
Julian C. Dixon
Mickey Leland
Alan D. Wheat
Mervyn M. Dymally
Parren J. Mitchell
Walter E. Fauntroy
Major R. Owens
Senate
None
97th Congress (1981-1983)
19
House
Shirley A. Chisholm
Mervyn M. Dymally
Parren J. Mitchell
William L. Clay Sr.
Walter E. Fauntroy
Charles R. Rangel
Cardiss Collins
Harold E. Ford, Sr.
Gus Savage
John Conyers, Jr.
William H. Gray, III
Louis Stokes
George W. Crockett
Katie B. Hall
Harold D. Washington
Ronald V. Dellums
Augustus F. Hawkins
Julian C. Dixon
Mickey Leland
Senate
None

CRS-50
No.
Chamber
Names
96th Congress (1979-1981)t
17
House
Shirley A. Chisholm
Charles C. Diggs, Jr.u
Augustus F. Hawkins
William L. Clay, Sr.
Julian C. Dixon
Mickey Leland
Cardiss Collins
Melvin H. Evans
Parren J. Mitchell
John Conyers, Jr.
Walter E. Fauntroy
Charles B. Rangel
George W. Crockett
Harold E. Ford, Sr.
Bennett M. Stewart
Ronald V. Dellums
William H. Gray, III
Louis Stokes
Senate
None
95th Congress (1977-1979)
17
House
Yvonne B. Burke
Charles C. Diggs, Jr.
Parren J. Mitchell
Shirley A. Chisholm
Walter E. Fauntroy
Robert N.C. Nix, Sr.
William L. Clay, Sr.
Harold E. Ford, Sr.
Charles B. Rangel
Cardiss Collins
Augustus F. Hawkins
Louis Stokes
John Conyers, Jr.
Barbara C. Jordan
Andrew J. Young
Ronald V. Dellums
Ralph H. Metcalfe
1
Senate
Edward W. Brooke
94th Congress (1975-1977)
17
House
Yvonne B. Burke
Charles C. Diggs, Jr.
Parren J. Mitchell
Shirley A. Chisholm
Walter E. Fauntroy
Robert N.C. Nix, Sr.
William L. Clay, Sr.
Harold E. Ford, Sr.
Charles B. Rangel
Cardiss Collins
Augustus F. Hawkins
Louis Stokes
John Conyers, Jr.
Barbara C. Jordan
Andrew J. Young
Ronald V. Dellums
Ralph W. Metcalfe
1
Senate
Edward W. Brooke
93rd Congress (1973-1975)
16
House
Yvonne B. Burke
Charles C. Diggs ,Jr.
Robert N.C. Nix, Sr.
Shirley A. Chisholm
Walter E. Fauntroy
Charles B. Rangel
William L. Clay, Sr.
Augustus F. Hawkins
Louis Stokes
Cardiss Collins
Barbara C. Jordan
Andrew J. Young
John Conyers, Jr.
Ralph H. Metcalfe
Ronald V. Dellums
Parren J. Mitchell
1
Senate
Edward W. Brooke
92nd Congress (1971-1973)
13
House
Shirley A. Chisholm
Charles C. Diggs, Jr.
Robert N.C. Nix,Sr.
William L. Clay, Sr.
Walter E. Fauntroy
Charles B. Rangel
George W. Collins
Augustus F. Hawkins
Louis Stokes
John Conyers, Jr.
Ralph H. Metcalfe
Ronald V. Dellums
Parren J. Mitchell
1
Senate
Edward W. Brooke

CRS-51
No.
Chamber
Names
91st Congress (1969-1971)
10
House
Shirley A. Chisholm
John Conyers, Jr.
Adam C. Powell, Jr.
William L. Clay, Sr.
William L. Dawson
Louis Stokes
George W. Collins
Charles C. Diggs, Jr.
Augustus F. Hawkins
Robert N.C. Nix
1
Senate
Edward W. Brooke
90th Congress (1967-1969)v
5
House
John Conyers, Jr.
Charles C. Diggs, Jr.
Robert N.C. Nix, Sr.
William L. Dawson
Augustus F. Hawkins
1
Senate
Edward W. Brooke
89th Congress (1965-1967)
6
House
John Conyers, Jr.
Charles Diggs, Jr.
Robert N.C. Nix, Sr.
William L. Dawson
Augustus F. Hawkins
Adam Clayton Powell
Senate
None
88th Congress (1963-1965)
5
House:
William L. Dawson
Augustus F. Hawkins
Adam C. Powell, Jr.
Charles C. Diggs, Jr.
Robert N.C. Nix, Sr.
Senate
None
85th - 87th Congresses (1957-1963)
4
House
William L. Dawson
Robert N.C. Nix, Sr.
Charles C. Diggs, Jr.
Adam C. Powell, Jr.
Senate
None
84th Congress (1955-1957)
3
House
William L. Dawson
Charles C. Diggs, Jr.
Adam C. Powell, Jr.
79th - 83rd Congresses (1945-1955)
2
House
William L. Dawson
Adam C. Powell, Jr.
Senate
None
78th Congress (1943-1945)
1
House
William L. Dawson
Senate
None
74th - 77th Congresses (1935-1943)
1
House
Arthur W. Mitchell
Senate
None

CRS-52
No.
Chamber
Names
71st - 73rd Congresses (1929-1935)
1
House
Oscar S. DePriest
Senate
None
57th - 70th Congresses (1901-1929)
House
None
Senate
None
55th - 56th Congresses (1897-1901)
1
House
George H. White
Senate
None
53rd - 54th Congresses (1893-1897)
1
House
George W. Murray
Senate
None
52nd Congress (1891-1893)
1
House
Henry P. Cheatham
Senate
None
51st Congress (1889-1891)
3
House
Henry P. Cheatham
John M. Langston
Thomas E. Miller
Senate
None
50th Congress (1887-1889)
House
None
Senate
None
48th - 49th Congresses (1883-1887)
2
House
James E. O’Hara
Robert Smalls
Senate
None
47th Congress (1881-1883)
2
House
John R. Lynch
Robert Smalls
Senate
None
46th Congress (1879-1881)
House
None
1
Senate
Blanche K. Bruce

CRS-53
No.
Chamber
Names
45th Congress (1877-1879)
3
House
Richard H. Cain
Joseph H. Rainey
Robert Smalls
1
Senate
Blanche K. Bruce
44th Congress (1875-1877)
7
House
Jeremiah Haralson
Charles E. Nash
Josiah T. Wallsw
John A. Hyman
Joseph H. Rainey
John R. Lynch
Robert Smalls
1
Senate
Blanche K. Bruce
43rd Congress (1873-1875)
7
House
Richard H. Cain
Joseph H. Rainey
Josiah T. Wallsw
Robert B. Elliottx
Alonzo J. Ransier
John R. Lynch
James T. Rapier
Senate
None
42nd Congress (1871-1873)
5
House
Robert C. DeLargey
Joseph H. Rainey
Josiah T. Walls
Robert B. Elliott
Benjamin S. Turner
Senate
None
41st Congress (1869-1871)z
2
House
Jefferson F. Long
Joseph H. Rainey
1
Senate
Hiram R. Revels
a. Although 40 black individuals were elected to the House for the 108th Congress, 39 was the highest number to
serve at any one time. Rep. Frank Ballance resigned and was replaced by Rep. G. K. Butterfield.
b. Resigned on June 11, 2004.
c. Although 40 black individuals were elected to the House for the 107th Congress, 39 was the highest number to serve
at any one time. Rep. Julian Dixon, who was reelected to the 107th Congress, died before the commencement of
the Congress and was later replaced by Rep. Diane Watson.
d. Died on Dec. 8, 2000.
e. Although 41black individuals were elected to the House in the 105th Congress, 39 was the highest number to serve at
any one time. Rep. Floyd Flake resigned and was replaced by Rep. Gregory Meeks, and Rep. Ron Dellums
resigned and was replaced by Rep. Barbara Lee.
f. Resigned on Feb. 6, 1998.
g. Resigned on Nov. 15, 1997.
h. Although 43 black individuals were elected to the House in the 104th Congress, 40 was the highest number to serve
at any one time. Rep. Melvin J. Reynolds resigned and was replaced by Rep. Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.; Rep. Walter
Tucker resigned and was replaced by Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald; and Rep. Kweisi Mfume resigned and
was replaced by Rep. Elijah Cummings.
i. Resigned on Feb. 16, 1996.
j. Resigned on Oct. 1, 1995.
k. Resigned on Dec. 15, 1995.
l. Although 40 black individuals were elected to the House in the 103rd Congress, 39 was the largest number to serve
at any one time. Rep. Mike Espy resigned and was replaced by Rep. Bennie Thompson.
m. Resigned on Jan. 25, 1993, to become Secretary of Agriculture.

CRS-54
n. Although 28 black individuals were elected to the House in the 102nd Congress, 27 was the largest number to serve
at any one time. Rep. William Gray resigned and was replaced by Rep. Lucien Blackwell.
o. Resigned on Sept. 11, 1991.
p. Although 25 black individuals were elected to the House in the 101st Congress, 24 was the largest number to serve at
any one time. Rep. Mickey Leland, who was killed in an airplane crash was replaced by Rep. Craig Washington.
q. Died Aug. 2, 1989.
r. Although 22 black individuals were elected to the House in the 98th Congress, 21 was the largest number to serve at
any one time. Rep. Harold Washington resigned and was replaced by Rep. Charles Hayes.
s. Resigned on April 29, 1983.
t. Although 18 individuals were elected to the House in the 96th Congress, 17 was the largest number to serve at any one
time. Rep. Charles Diggs, Jr. resigned and was replaced by Rep. George Crockett.
u. Resigned on June 3, 1980.
v. Rep. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. was reelected to the 90th Congress, but never took his seat.
w. Resigned from Congress on Jan. 29, 1873, and on April 19, 1876, after his election was successfully contested
during two different Congresses.
x. Resigned from Congress on Nov. 1, 1874.
y. His seat was declared vacant on Jan. 24, 1873, after his election was successfully contested.
z. There were no black Members of the U.S. Congress until 1870, the 41st Congress, 2nd session.

CRS-55
Table 4. Number and Names of Black Members
of Congress, by State
Years of
State
Number
Names
Service
Alabama
5
Benjamin S. Turner
1871-1873
James T. Rapier
1873-1875
Jeremiah Haralson
1875-1877
Earl F. Hilliard
1993-2003
Artur Davis
2003-
California
10
Augustus F. Hawkins
1963-1991
Ronald V. Dellums
1971-1998
Yvonne B. Burke
1973-1979
Julian C. Dixon
1979-2000
Mervyn M. Dymally
1981-1993
Maxine Waters
1991-
Walter R. Tucker
1993-1995
Juanita Millender-McDonald
1996-
Barbara Lee
1998-
Diane Watson
2001-
Connecticut
1
Gary A. Franks
1991-1997
District of
2
Walter E. Fauntroy
1971-1991
Columbia
Eleanor Holmes Norton
1991-
Florida
5
Josiah T. Walls
1871-1876
Alcee L. Hastings
1993-
Corrine Brown
1993-
Carrie P. Meek
1993-2003
Kendrick Meek
2003-
Georgia
7
Jefferson F. Long
1870-1871
Andrew J. Young
1973-1977
John R. Lewis
1987-
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.
1993-
Cynthia A. McKinney
1993-2003,
2005-
Denise L. Majette
2003-2005
David Scott
2003-

CRS-56
Years of
State
Number
Names
Service
Illinois
16
Oscar S. DePriest
1929-1935
Arthur W. Mitchell
1935-1943
William L. Dawson
1943-1970
George W. Collins
1970-1972
Ralph H. Metcalfe
1971-1978
Cardiss Collins
1973-1997
Bennett M. Stewart
1979-1981
Gus Savage
1981-1993
Harold D. Washington
1981-1983
Charles A. Hayes
1983-1993
Carol Moseley-Brauna
1993-1999
Melvin J. Reynolds
1993-1995
Bobby L. Rush
1993-
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.
1995-
Danny K. Davis
1997-
Barack O bamaa
2005-
Indiana
2
Katie B. Hall
1982-1985
Julia Carson
1997-
Louisiana
3
Charles E. Nash
1875-1877
William J. Jefferson
1991-
Cleo Fields
1993-1997
Maryland
4
Parren J. Mitchell
1971-1987
Kweisi Mfume
1987-1996
Albert R. Wynn
1993-
Elijah E. Cummings
1996-
Massachusetts
1
Edward W. Brookea
1967-1979
Michigan
5
Charles C. Diggs, Jr.
1955-1980
John Conyers, Jr.
1965-
George W. Crockett
1980-1991
Barbara-Rose Collins
1991-1997
Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick
1997-
Mississippi
5
Hiram R. Revelsa
1870-1871
John R. Lynch
1873-1877
1882-1883
Blanche K. Brucea
1875-1881
Albert M. (Mike) Espy
1987-1993
Bennie G. Thompson
1993-
Missouri
4
William L. Clay, Sr.
1969-2001
Alan D. Wheat
1983-1995
William Lacy Clay, Jr.
2001-
Emanuel Cleaver
2005-
New Jersey
1
Donald M. Payne
1989-

CRS-57
Years of
State
Number
Names
Service
New York
8
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.
1945-1967
1969-1971
Shirley A. Chisholm
1969-1983
Charles B. Rangel
1971-
Major R. Owens
1983-
Edolphus Towns
1983-
Alton R. Waldon, Jr.
1986-1987
Floyd H. Flake
1987-1997
Gregory Meeks
1998-
North Carolina
8
John A. Hyman
1875-1877
James E. O’Hara
1883-1887
Henry P. Cheatham
1889-1893
George H. White
1897-1901
Eva M. Clayton
1992-2003
Melvin L. Watt
1993-
Frank W. Ballance, Jr.
2003-2004
G. K. Butterfield
2004-
Ohio
2
Louis Stokes
1969-1999
Stephanie Tubbs Jones
1999-
Oklahoma
1
J.C. Watts, Jr.
1995-2003
Pennsylvania
4
Robert N.C. Nix, Sr.
1958-1979
William H. Gray, III
1979-1991
Lucien E. Blackwell
1991-1995
Chaka Fattah
1995-
South Carolina
9
Joseph H. Rainey
1870-1879
Robert C. DeLarge
1871-1873
Robert B. Elliott
1871-1874
Richard H. Cain
1873-1875
1877-1879
Alonzo J. Ransier
1873-1875
Robert Smalls
1875-1879
1882-1883
1884-1887
Thomas E. Miller
1890-1891
George W. Murray
1893-1895
1896-1897
James E. Clyburn
1993-
Tennessee
2
Harold E. Ford, Sr.
1975-1997
Harold E. Ford, Jr.
1997-
Texas
6
Barbara C. Jordan
1973-1979
George T. (Mickey) Leland
1979-1989
Craig A. Washington
1991-1995
Eddie Bernice Johnson
1993-
Sheila Jackson Lee
1995-
Al Green
2005-

CRS-58
Years of
State
Number
Names
Service
Virginia
2
John M. Langston
1890-1891
Robert C. Scott
1993-
Virgin Islands
3
Melvin H. Evans
1979-1981
Victor O. Frazer
1995-1997
Donna M. Christian-Christensen
1997-
Wisconsin
1
Gwen Moore
2005-
a. Serves/Served in the Senate.

CRS-59
Table 5. Number of Black Members in the U.S. Congress,
41st-109th Congresses (1870-2005)
Total Black
Black
Black
Congress
Year
Members of
Members of
Members of
Congress
Housea
Senate
41st
1869-1871
3
2
1
42nd
1871-1873
5
5
-
43rd
1873-1875
7
7
-
44th
1875-1877
8
7
1
45th
1877-1879
4
3
1
46th
1879-1881
1
-
1
47th
1881-1883
2
2
-
48th
1883-1885
2
2
-
49th
1885-1887
2
2
-
50th
1887-1889
-
-
-
51st
1889-1891
3
3
-
52nd
1891-1893
1
1
-
53rd
1893-1895
1
1
-
54th
1895-1897
1
1
-
55th
1897-1899
1
1
-
56th
1899-1901
1
1
-
57th
1901-1903
-
-
-
58th
1903-1905
-
-
-
59th
1905-1907
-
-
-
60th
1907-1909
-
-
-
61st
1909-1911
-
-
-
62nd
1911-1913
-
-
-
63rd
1913-1915
-
-
-
64th
1915-1917
-
-
-
65th
1917-1919
-
-
-
66th
1919-1921
-
-
-
67th
1921-1923
-
-
-

CRS-60
Total Black
Black
Black
Congress
Year
Members of
Members of
Members of
Congress
Housea
Senate
68th
1923-1925
-
-
-
69th
1925-1927
-
-
-
70th
1927-1929
-
-
-
71st
1929-1931
1
1
-
72nd
1931-1933
1
1
-
73rd
1933-1935
1
1
-
74th
1935-1937
1
1
-
75th
1937-1939
1
1
-
76th
1939-1941
1
1
-
77th
1941-1943
1
1
-
78th
1943-1945
1
1
-
79th
1945-1947
2
2
-
80th
1947-1949
2
2
-
81st
1949-1951
2
2
-
82nd
1951-1953
2
2
-
83rd
1953-1955
2
2
-
84th
1955-1957
3
3
-
85th
1957-1959
4
4
-
86th
1959-1961
4
4
-
87th
1961-1963
4
4
-
88th
1963-1965
5
5
-
89th
1965-1967
6
6
-
90th
1967-1969
6
5
1
91st
1969-1971
11
10
1
92nd
1971-1973
14
13
1
93rd
1973-1975
17
16
1
94th
1975-1977
18
17
1
95th
1977-1979
18
17
1
96th
1979-1981
17
17
-

CRS-61
Total Black
Black
Black
Congress
Year
Members of
Members of
Members of
Congress
Housea
Senate
97th
1981-1983
19
19
-
98th
1983-1985
21
21
-
99th
1985-1987
21
21
-
100th
1987-1989
23
23
-
101st
1989-1991
24
24
-
102nd
1991-1993
27
27
-
103rd
1993-1995
40
39
1
104th
1995-1997
41
40
1
105th
1997-1999
40
39
1
106th
1999-2001
39
39
0
107th 2001-2003
39
39
0
108th 2001-2003
39
39
0
109th
2003-2005
43
42
1
a. The numbers here reflect the highest number of black Members to serve in the House at any one
time during a Congress. For example, a record number of 43 black Members was elected to the
104th Congress, but only 40 served at any one time during that Congress