Order Code RL30378
African American Members of the United States
Congress: 1870-2008
Updated July 23, 2008
Mildred L. Amer
Specialist in American National Government
Government and Finance Division

African American Members of the United States
Congress: 1870-2008
Summary
There are 43 African-American Members serving in the 110th Congress: 42 in
the House of Representatives, one in the Senate. There have been 123 African
American Members of Congress: 118 elected to the House and five to the Senate.
There have been 96 Democrats: 94 in the House, two in the Senate; and 27
Republicans: 24 in the House, three in the Senate.
A record 43 African American Members also served in the 109th Congress: 42
in the House, one in the Senate. The number of African American Members has
steadily increased since the first African American Members entered Congress in
1870. There were fewer than 10 Members until the 91st Congress (1969-1971). In the
98th Congress (1983-1985), the number surpassed 20 for the first time and then
jumped to 40 in the 103rd Congress (1993-1995). Since the 106th Congress (1999-
2001), the number has remained between 39 and 43 serving at any one time.
The first African American Member of Congress was Hiram Rhodes Revels (R-
MS), who served in the Senate in the 41st Congress (1870). The first African
American Member of the House was Joseph H. Rainey (R-SC), who also served in
the 41st Congress. Representative John Conyers Jr. (D-MI, 1965-present), the current
chair of the House Judiciary Committee, has served longer than any other African
American Member of Congress.
Shirley Chisholm (D-NY), elected to the 91st through 97th Congresses (1969-
1983), was the first African American woman in Congress. Since that time, 25 other
African American women have been elected, including Senator Carol Moseley-Braun
(D-IL, 1993-1999), who is the only African American woman, as well as the first
African American Democrat, elected to the Senate.
Representatives James E. Clyburn (D-SC, 1993-present) and former
Representatives William H. Gray III (D-PA, 1979-1991) and J.C. Watts (R-OK,
1995-2003) have been elected to the highest leadership positions held by African
American Members of Congress. Representative Clyburn, the House majority whip
in the 110th Congress, served as vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus in the
108th and 109th Congresses. Representative Gray was chair of the House Democratic
Caucus in 1989 (101st Congress). Later in that Congress, when a vacancy occurred,
he was elected House majority 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 (1997-2001).
African American Members of Congress have served on standing and select
committees. Nineteen have served as committee chair, 18 in the House and one in the
Senate.
This report will be updated as needed.

Contents
Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Female Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Oldest and Youngest African American Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
African American Members in Leadership Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Tables and Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Alphabetical Listing of African American Members,
Selected Biographical Information, and Committee Assignments
During Their Tenure in Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
List of Tables
Table 1. African American Members of Congress — Senate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Table 2. African American Members of Congress —
House of Representatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Table 3. Number and Names of African American Members
of Congress, by Congress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Table 4. Number and Names of African American Members
of Congress, by State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Table 5. Number of African American Members in the
U.S. Congress, 41st-110th Congresses (1870-2008) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

African American Members of the United
States Congress: 1870-2008
Background
One hundred twenty-three African Americans have been elected to the U.S.
Congress: 118 to the House and five to the Senate.1 Of these, 27 have been women.
There are 43 African American Members serving in the 110th Congress, 42 in the
House of Representatives and one in the Senate, the same number as the record 43
African American Members who served in the 109th Congress. All are Democrats.2
The number of African American Members has steadily increased since the first
African Americans entered Congress in 1870. There were fewer than 10 Members
until the 91st Congress (1969-1971). In the 98th Congress (1983-1985), the number
surpassed 20 for the first time and then jumped to 40 in the 103rd Congress (1993-
1995). Since the 106th Congress (1999-2001), the number has remained between 39
and 43 at any one time.
The largest number of African American 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, who
is the only African American woman to serve in the Senate, also was the first African
American Democrat to serve in the Senate.3
1 Includes three Delegates from the U.S. Virgin Islands and two from the District of
Columbia.
2 A record 46 different African American Members have served in the 110th Congress (45
in the House and one in the Senate). However, only 43 (42 in the House and one in the
Senate) have served at any one time. Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA)
died on Apr. 22, 2007, and was replaced by Representative Laura Richardson (D-CA) on
Sept. 4, 2007; Rep. Julia Carson (D-IN) died on Dec. 15, 2007, and was replaced by her
grandson, Rep. André Carson on Mar. 13, 2008; and Rep. Al Wynn resigned on May 31,
2008, and was replaced by Rep. Donna Edwards on June 19, 2008. The previous record
number was in the 104th Congress (1995-1997) when 43 African American Members was
elected to the House of Representatives. Only 40, however, actually served at any one time.
Rep. Melvin Reynolds (D-IL) resigned in Oct. 1995 and was replaced by Rep. Jesse Jackson
Jr. (D-IL); Rep. Walter Tucker (D-CA) resigned in Dec. 1995 and was replaced by Rep.
Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA); and Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) resigned in Feb.
1996 and was replaced by Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD).
3 Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) is the first African American male Democrat to serve in the
Senate.

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The majority of African American Members of Congress (96) have been
Democrats; 27 have been Republicans. All the African American Democrats have
been elected in the 20th and 21st centuries. Five African American 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. All other African American Republican Members served in the 19th
century.
The first African American 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 African American Member of the Senate and the first
African American Member of Congress from Mississippi. On January 20, 1870, he
was chosen by the Mississippi legislature to fill the unexpired term in the U. S.
Senate of former Confederate President Jefferson Davis.4 Senator Blanche K. Bruce
(R-MS, 1875-1881) was the first African American Senator to serve a full Senate
term of six years.
Joseph H. Rainey (R-SC, 1869-1878) was the first African American Member
of the House of Representatives, beginning service, like Senator Revels, in the 41st
Congress. Shirley Chisholm (D-NY), elected to the 91st through 97th Congresses
(1969-1983), was the first African American woman to serve in Congress. Edward
Brooke (R-MA) was the first African American person elected to the Senate after
passage of the Seventeenth Amendment, which provided for the direct election of
Senators. He served in the 90th through 95th Congresses (1967-1979).
John Conyers Jr. (D-MI) holds the record for length of service by a African
American Member (43 years). He was first elected to the 89th Congress and has
served since January 3, 1965.
Twenty-two African American Members have first been elected to fill vacancies
in the House. They include Bennie Thompson (D-MS, 1993-present); Jesse Jackson
Jr. (D-IL, 1995-present); Elijah Cummings (D-MD, 1996-present); Barbara Lee (D-
CA, 1998-present); Gregory Meeks (D-NY, 1998-present); Diane Watson (D-CA,
2001-present); G.K. Butterfield (D-NC, 2004-present); Laura Richardson (D-CA,
2007-present); André Carson (D-IN, 2008-present; and Donna Edwards (D-MD,
2008-present). Representative Cardiss Collins (D-IL, 1973-1997), was elected to fill
the vacancy caused by the death of her husband, Representative George Collins (D-
IL, 1970-1972). The other former Members were Robert N.C. Nix Sr. (D-PA, 1958-
1979); George Collins (D-IL, 1970-1972); Bennett Stewart (D-IL, 1979-1981);
George W. Crockett Jr. (D-MI, 1980-1991); Katie Hall (D-IN, 1982-1985); Charles
Hayes (D-IL, 1983-1993); Alton Waldon Jr. (D-NY, 1986-1987); Lucien Blackwell
(D-PA, 1991-1995); Craig Washington (D-TX, 1989-1995); Representatives Eva
Clayton (D-NC, 1992-2003); and Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA. 1996-2007).
4 Bruce A. Ragsdale and Joel D. Treese, Black Americans in Congress, 1870-1989
(Washington: GPO, 1990), p. 130.

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All of these Members, except Representatives Stewart and Waldon, were
subsequently elected to additional terms.5
Female Members
Fourteen African American women serve in the 110th Congress, all in the
House.6 A record number of 15 African American women served in the 107th
Congress, all in the House. A total of 27 African American women have served in
Congress.
The first African American female Member was Representative Shirley
Chisholm (D-NY, 1969-1983). Senator Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL, 1993-1999) is
the only African American woman to have served in the Senate. The African
American female Members of the 110th Congress are 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); Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-
MI); Stephanie Tubbs Jones D-OH); Diane Watson (D-CA); Gwen Moore (D-WI);
Yvette Clarke (D-NY); Laura Richardson (D-CA); and Donna Edwards (D-MD).
The other African American female Members, in addition to Representative
Chisholm, Senator Moseley-Braun, and currently serving Members, were 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); Denise Majette (D-GA, 2003-2005); Cynthia McKinney (D-GA, 1993-
2003, 2005-2007); Juanita Millender-McDonald (1996-2007); and Julia Carson (D-
IN, 1997-2007).
Relationships
Two African American Members of the 110th Congress are the sons of former
Members: Representative William Lacy Clay Jr. (D-MO, 2001-present) is the son of
former Representative William L. Clay Sr. (D-MO, 1969-2001), and Representative
Kendrick Meek (D-FL, 2003-present) is the son of former Representative Carrie
Meek (D-FL, 1993-2003). Representative André Carson (D-IN, 2008-present) is the
grandson of former Representative Julia Carson (D-IN, 1997-2007).
Former Representative Harold Ford Jr. (D-TN, 1997-2007) is the son of former
Representative Harold Ford Sr. (D-TN, 1975-1997). These sons directly succeeded
their parents. In addition, Representative Cardiss Collins (D-IL, 1973-1997)
succeeded her husband, Representative George Collins (D-IL, 1970-1972).
5 Representatives Richardson, Carson, and Edwards’s first opportunity to stand for
reelection will occur Nov. 4, 2008.
6 A record of 16 African American women, including the late Juanita Millender-McDonald
(D-CA) and the late Julia Carson, were elected to the House in the110th Congress. However,
14 is the largest number to serve at any one time.

CRS-4
Representative George White (R-NC, 1897-1901) was the brother-in-law of
Representative Henry Cheatham (R-NC, 1889-1893).
Oldest and Youngest African American Members
The oldest African American Member to be elected to the House,
Representative George Crockett (D-MI, 1980-1991), won his first election at 71.
Representative Charles Hayes (D-IL, 1983-1993) was first elected at 65. At age 47,
Senator Edward Brooke (R-MA, 1969-1979) became the oldest African American
Senator elected to a first term.

The youngest African American Member to be elected, Representative John
Lynch (R-MS, 1873-1877, 1882-1883), was first elected at age 25. Representative
Harold Ford Jr. (D-TN, 1997-2007) was first elected at age 26. At age 33, Senator
Blanche Bruce (R-MS, 1875-1881) was the youngest African American Senator
elected to a first term.
African American Members in Leadership Positions

Representative James E. Clyburn (D-SC, 1993-present), the House majority
whip in the 110th Congress, served as vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus in
the 108th and 109th Congresses. Former Representatives William H. Gray III (D-PA,
1979-1991) and J.C. Watts (R-OK, 1995-2003) were also elected members of the
House leadership. Representative Gray was chair of the House Democratic Caucus
in 1989 (101st Congress). Later in that Congress, when a vacancy occurred, he was
elected House majority 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 (1997-2001).
In addition, Representative John Lewis (D-GA, 1987-present), the senior chief
deputy whip in the 110th Congress, served as a Democratic chief deputy whip in the
102nd -109th Congresses (1991-2007). Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA, 1991-
present) has served has a Democratic chief deputy whip since the 106th Congress, and
Representative G.K. Butterfield (D-NC, 2004-present) began his service as a
Democratic chief deputy whip in the 110th Congress. Former Representative Shirley
Chisholm (D-NY, 1969-1983) served as secretary to the Democratic Caucus in the
96th Congress (1977-1979).
Eighteen African American Representatives and one African American Senator
have chaired congressional committees, including a record five in the 110th
Congress.7 African American Members currently serving as chairs in the 110th
Congress are Representatives John Conyers Jr. (D-MI, 1965-present), chair of House
Judiciary Committee; Charles B. Rangel (D-NY, 1971-present), chair of the House
Ways and Means Committee; Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS, 1993-present), chair of
7 A record five African American Members were elected House committee chairs at the
beginning of the 110th Congress. However, Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA), chair
of the Committee on House Administration, died on April 22, 2007.

CRS-5
the House Homeland Security Committee; and Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH, 1999-
present), chair of the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
The other African American committee chairs were Senator Blanche Bruce (R-
MS, 1875-1881) and Representatives Yvonne B. Burke (D-CA, 1973-1979); William
L. Clay Sr. (D-MO, 1969-2001); 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, 1979-2000); 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); Louis Stokes (D-OH, 1969-
1999); and Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA, 1996-2007).
Tables and Data
This part of the report provides tabular information on African American
Members of Congress, including the Congresses in which they served, the
committees on which they served, and, where relevant, an indication of the
committees they chaired or co-chaired. In addition, five tables summarize
information about African American Members. Tables 1 and 2 list selected data
about each African American Member, with the first table listing Senators and the
second listing Representatives. Table 3 presents the number and names of African
American Members by Congress, organized by Congress. Table 4 presents the same
information by state. Table 5 shows the changing number of African American
Members serving in Congress since 1870, when the first African American Member
was elected.
Most of the data presented are drawn from the Biographical Directory of the
American Congress, [http://bioguide.congress.gov], various editions of the
Congressional Directory, and a broad range of Congressional Quarterly Inc. and
Leadership Directories Inc. publications.
For 110th Congress committee assignments, the sources are The Senate of the
United States, Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Tenth
Congress
, prepared under the direction of Nancy Erickson, secretary of the Senate,
April 2, 2007 (available online from the Senate’s website 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 Tenth
Congress
, prepared under the direction of Lorraine C. Miller, clerk of the House of
Representatives, June 19, 2008 (available online from the clerk’s website at
[http://clerk.house.gov/committee_info/oal.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-6
Alphabetical Listing of African American 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 through 109th Congresses; reelected to
the 110th 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-110th
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-7
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 African American 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 109th Congresses; reelected to the
110th Congress; has served since January 5, 1993.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Government Operations
103rd
H. Public Works and Transportation
103rd
H. Veterans’ Affairs
103rd-110th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
104th-110th
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

CRS-8
BURKE, YVONNE BRAITHWAITE, 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.
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 Ballance; reelected to the 109th-110th
Congresses, has served since July 21, 2004; a chief deputy Democratic whip in
the 110th Congress.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Small Business
108th
H. Agriculture
108th -109th
H. Armed Services
109th
H. Energy and Commerce
110th
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, ANDRÉ, a Representative from Indiana. Born on October 16, 1974.
Elected as a Democrat to the 110th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the
death of his grandmother, Julia Carson; has served since March 13, 2008
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Financial Services
110th
.

CRS-9
CARSON, JULIA M., a Representative from Indiana. Born on July 8, 1938; died on
December 15, 2007. Elected as a Democrat to the 105th through 110th
Congresses; served from January 9, 1997, to December 15, 2007.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services
105th-106th
H. Financial Services
107th -110th
H. Veterans’ Affairs
105th-107th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
108th-110th
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 African
American woman elected to Congress and first African American 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 109th Congresses; reelected to the 110th 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. Natural Resources
110th
H. Small Business
106th -109th
H. Homeland Security
108th-110th

CRS-10
CHRISTIAN-GREEN, DONNA. See CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSEN, DONNA.
CLARKE, YVETTE D., a Representative from New York. Born on November 21,
1964. Elected as a Democrat to the 110th Congress; has served since January 4,
2007.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education and Labor
110th
H. Homeland Security
110th
H. Small Business
110th
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. Succeeded by his son, Representative William Lacy
Clay Jr. First African American 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-109th Congresses; reelected to the 110th Congress; has
served since January 3, 2001.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Financial Services
107th -110th
H. Government Reform
107th -109th
H. Oversight and Government Reform
110th

CRS-11
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; reelected to the 110th
Congress; has served since January 4, 2005.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Financial Services
109th-110th
H. Energy Independence and Global Warming
110th
CLYBURN, JAMES E., a Representative from South Carolina. Born on July 21,
1940. Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through 109th Congresses; reelected to
the 110th Congress; has served since January 5, 1993. Chair of the
Congressional Black Caucus in the 106th Congress. Vice chair of the House
Democratic Caucus in the 108th-109th Congresses; House majority whip in the
110th Congress.
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

CRS-12
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 in the
96th Congress.
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
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 109th Congresses; reelected to the
110th Congress; has served since January 3, 1965.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Judiciary
89th-110th
(committee chair, 110th )
H. Government Operations
92nd-103rd
(committee chair, 101st-103rd)
H. Small Business
100th-103rd

CRS-13
CROCKETT, GEORGE W., a Representative from Michigan. Born on August 10,
1909; died on September 7, 1997. 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
110th 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. Government Reform
106th-109th
H. Oversight and Government Reform
110th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
110th
H. Armed Services
110th
DAVIS, ARTUR, a Representative from Alabama. Born on October 9, 1967. Elected
as a Democrat to the 108th through 109th Congresses; reelected to the 110th
Congress; has served since January 7, 2003.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Budget
108th-109th
H. Financial Services
108th- 109th
H. Judiciary
110th
H. Ways and Means
110th

CRS-14
DAVIS, DANNY K., a Representative from Illinois. Born on September 6, 1941.
Elected as a Democrat to the 105th through 109th Congresses; reelected to the
110th Congress; has served since January 7, 1997.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Small Business
105th- 109th
H. Government Reform and Oversight
105th
H. Government Reform
106th-109th
H. Oversight and Government Reform
110th
H. Education and the Workforce
108th-109th
H. Education and Labor
110th
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

CRS-15
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 in the 101st Congress.
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 African American 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 African American Member of Congress from Michigan and first chair of
the Congressional Black Caucus, 92nd Congress.
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-16
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 in the 98th Congress.
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
in the 100th Congress.
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
EDWARDS, DONNA, a Representative from Maryland. Born on June 28, 1958.
Elected as a Democrat to the 110th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the
resignation of Albert Wynn; has served since June 19, 2008.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Science and Technology
110th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
110th
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

CRS-17
ELLISON, KEITH, a Representative from Minnesota. Born on August 4, 1963.
Elected as a Democrat to the 110th Congress; has served since January 4, 2007.
First African American Member of Congress from Minnesota.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Financial Services
110th
H. Judiciary
110th
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
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 African American
Delegate from the Virgin Islands and first African American 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 109th Congresses; reelected to
the 110th Congress; has served since January 3, 1995.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Government Reform and Oversight
104th-105th
H. Government Reform
106th
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
Jt. Printing
106th -107th
H. Appropriations
107th-110th

CRS-18
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 African American Delegate from the District of
Columbia. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 97th Congress.
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
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

CRS-19
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 African American 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
FORD, HAROLD E. Jr., a Representative from Tennessee. Born on May 11, 1970.
Elected as a Democrat to the 105th through 109th Congresses; served from
January 7, 1997, to January 3, 2007. At age 26, 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 African American 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-20
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; reelected to the 110th Congress; has served
since January 4, 2005.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Financial Services
109th-110th
H. Science
109th
H. Homeland Security
110th
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 African American 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-21
HASTINGS, ALCEE L., a Representative from Florida. Born on September 5, 1936.
Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through 109th Congresses; reelected to the
110th 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-110th
H. Rules
107th-110th
H. Standards of Official Conduct
110th
HAWKINS, AUGUSTUS F., a Representative from California. Born on August 31,
1907; died on November 10, 2007. Elected as a Democrat to the 88th through
101st Congresses; served from January 3, 1963, to January 3, 1991. First African
American 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-22
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 African
American 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
110th Congresses; has served since December 14, 1995.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services
104th-105th
H. Small Business
105th
H. Appropriations
106th-110th
JACKSON LEE, SHEILA, a Representative from Texas. Born on January 12, 1950.
Elected as a Democrat to the 104th through 109th Congresses; reelected to the
110th Congress; has served since January 3, 1995.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Judiciary
104th-110th
H. Science
104th-109th
H. Homeland Security
108th-110th
H. Foreign Affairs
110th

CRS-23
JEFFERSON, WILLIAM J., a Representative from Louisiana. Born on March 14,
1947. Elected as a Democrat to the 102nd through 109th Congresses; reelected
to the 110th 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
H. Small Business
110th
Jt. Printing
104th
JOHNSON, EDDIE BERNICE, a Representative from Texas. Born on December 3,
1935. Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through 109th Congresses; reelected to
the 110th 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-110th
H. Science, Space, and Technology
103rd
H. Science
104th-109th
H. Science and Technology
110th
JOHNSON, HENRY C. (HANK) Jr., a Representative from Georgia. Born on
October 2, 1954. Elected as a Democrat to the 110th Congress; has served since
January 4, 2007.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Armed Services
110th
H. Judiciary
110th
H. Small Business
110th

CRS-24
JONES, STEPHANIE TUBBS, a Representative from Ohio. Born on September 10,
1949. Elected as a Democrat to the 106th through 109th Congresses; reelected to
the 110th 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-110th
(committee chair, 110th )
H. Ways and Means
108th-110th
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 African
American 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 109th Congresses;
reelected to the 110th Congress; has served since January 7, 1997. Chair of the
Congressional Black Caucus in the 110th Congress.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services
105th
H. House Oversight
105th
Jt. Committee on the Library
105th
H. Appropriations
106th-110th
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 African American Member of
Congress from Virginia.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education
51st

CRS-25
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 110th
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
H. Appropriations
110th
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 in the 99th Congress.
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 109th Congresses; reelected to the
110th Congress; has served since January 6, 1987. A Democratic chief deputy
whip in the 102nd through 109th Congresses; senior chief deputy majority whip
in the 110th Congress.
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-110th
H. Budget
108th

CRS-26
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 African American
Member of Congress from Georgia.
Committee Assignments
Congress
None

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 African American 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
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
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; served from
January 4, 2005, to January 3, 2007.
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

CRS-27
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 through 109th Congresses; reelected to the 110th Congress;
has served since January 7, 2003. Succeeded his mother, Representative Carrie
Meek.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Armed Services
108th -110th
H. Homeland Security
108th -109th
H. Ways and Means
110th
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
110th Congresses; has served since February 5, 1998.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services
105th-106th
H. Financial Services
107th-110th
H. International Relations
106th-109th
H. Foreign Affairs
110th
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-28
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. 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; died on April 22, 2007. 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 110th Congresses; served from
April 16, 1996, to April 22, 2007.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Small Business
104th-110th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
104th-119th
H. Administration
108th-110th
(committee chair, 110th,
1st sess.)
Jt. Library
108th, 110th
110th
(committee chair, 110th,
1st session)
Jt. Printing
110th
(committee chair, 110th, 1st sess.)
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-29
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 African
American 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;
died May 28, 2007. Elected as a Democrat to the 92nd through 99th Congresses;
served from January 3, 1971, to January 3, 1987. First African American
Member of Congress from Maryland. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus
in the 95th Congress.
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; reelected to the 110th Congress; has
served since January 4, 2005. First African American Member of Congress from
Wisconsin.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Financial Services
109th-110th
H. Small Business
109th -110th
H. Budget
110th

CRS-30
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 the 105th Congress, from January 5, 1993, to January 3, 1999.
First African American woman and African American 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
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 African American Member of Congress
from Louisiana.
Committee Assignment
Congress
H. Education and Labor
44th

CRS-31
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 African American 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
NORTON, ELEANOR HOLMES, a Delegate from the District of Columbia. Born
on June 13, 1937. Elected as a Democrat to the 102nd through 109th Congresses;
reelected to the 110th 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-110th
H. Government Reform and Oversight
104th -105th
H. Government Reform
106th-109th
H. Oversight and Government Reform
110th
H. Small Business
104th
Jt. Committee on the Organization of
102nd-103r
Congress
H. Homeland Security
108th-110th
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 African American presidential nominee from a major
political party as well as first African American male Democrat elected to the
Senate.
Committee Assignments
Congress
S. Environment and Public Works
109th -110th
S. Foreign Relations
109th -110th
S. Veterans’ Affairs
109th -110th
S. Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
110th
S. Homeland Security and Governmental
110th
Affairs

CRS-32
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
OWENS, MAJOR R., a Representative from New York. Born on June 28, 1936.
Elected as a Democrat to the 98th through 110th Congresses; served from January
3, 1983, to January 3, 2007.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education and Labor
98th-103rd
H. Economic and Educational
104th
Opportunities
H. Education and the Workforce
105th-109th
H. Government Operations
98th-103rd
H. Government Reform and Oversight
104th-105th
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 109th Congresses; reelected to the
110th Congress; has served since January 3, 1989. First African American
Member of Congress from New Jersey. Chair of the Congressional Black
Caucus in the 104th Congress.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education and Labor
101st-103rd, 110th
H. Economic and Educational Opportunities
104th
H. Education and the Workforce
105th-109th
H. Foreign Affairs
101st-103rd, 110th
H. International Relations
104th-109th
H. Government Operations
101st-103rd

CRS-33
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 African American 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
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 African American Member of the House of
Representatives and first African American 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

CRS-34
RANGEL, CHARLES B., a Representative from New York. Born on June 11, 1930.
Elected as a Democrat to the 92nd through 109th Congresses; reelected t o t h e
110th Congress; has served since January 3, 1971. Chair of the Congressional
Black Caucus in the 94th Congress.
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-110th
(committee chair, 110th
Congress)
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
REVELS, HIRAM RHODES, 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 African American Member of Congress; first
African American Senator; first African American Republican elected to
Congress; first African American Member of Congress from Mississippi.
Committee Assignments
Congress
S. Education and Labor
41st
S. District of Columbia
41st

CRS-35
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 Assignments
Congress
H. Ways and Means
103rd
H. Economic and Educational
104th
Opportunities
RICHARDSON, LAURA., a Representative from California. Born on April 14,
1962. Elected as a Democrat to the 110th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by
the death of Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald; has served since
September 4, 2007.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Science and Technology
110th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
110th

RUSH, BOBBY L., a Representative from Illinois. Born on November 23, 1946.
Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through 109th Congresses; reelected to the
110th 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-110th
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-36
SCOTT, DAVID, a Representative from Georgia. Born on June 27, 1946. Elected as
a Democrat to the 108th-109th Congresses; reelected to the 110th Congress; has
served since January 7, 2003.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Agriculture
108th -110th
H. Financial Services
108th- 110th
H. Foreign Affairs
110th
SCOTT, ROBERT C., a Representative from Virginia. Born on April 30, 1947.
Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through 109th Congresses; reelected to the
110th Congress; has served since January 5, 1993.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education and Labor
103rd, 110th
H. Economic and Educational Opportunities
104th
H. Education and the Workforce
105th-107th, 109th
H. Judiciary
103rd-110th
H. Science, Space, and Technology
103rd
H. Select U.S. National Security and Military/
106th
Commercial Concerns with the People’s
Republic of China
H. Budget
108th, 110th
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-37
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 African American Member of Congress from
Ohio. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 92nd and 93rd Congresses.
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 110th 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-110th
(committee chair, 110th)
TOWNS, EDOLPHUS, a Representative from New York. Born on July 21, 1934.
Elected as a Democrat to the 98th through 109th Congresses; reelected to the
110th Congress; has served since January 3, 1983. Chair of the Congressional
Black Caucus in the 102nd Congress.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Government Operations
98th-103rd
H. Government Reform and Oversight
104th-105th
H. Government Reform
106th-109th
H. Oversight and Government Reform
110th
H. Public Works and Transportation
98th-104th
H. Energy and Commerce
101st-103rd, 107th-110th
H. Commerce
104th-106th
H. Select Narcotics Abuse and Control
98th-102nd

CRS-38
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 African American 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 Addabbo; 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 African American Member of Congress from Florida.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Militia
42nd-43rd
H. Mileage
44th

CRS-39
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.
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 109th Congresses, reelected to the
110th 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 110th Congresses.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs
102nd-103rd
H. Banking and Financial Services
104th-106th
H. Financial Services
107th-110th
H. Veterans Affairs
102nd-104th
H. Small Business
103rd-104th
H. Judiciary
105th-110th


CRS-40
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-110th
Congresses; has served since June 7, 2001. U.S. ambassador to Micronesia from
1999 to 2001.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. International Relations
107th-109th
H. Foreign Affairs
110th
H. Government Reform
107th-109th
H. Oversight and Government Reform
110th
WATT, MELVIN L., a Representative from North Carolina. Born on August 26,
1945. Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through 109th Congresses; reelected to
the 110th 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-110th
H. Post Office and Civil Service
103rd
H. Judiciary
103rd-110th
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 African American 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

CRS-41
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
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 110th Congresses; served from
January 5, 1993, to May 31, 2008.
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-110th
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 in 1981.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking, Currency, and Housing
93rd
H. Rules
94th

CRS-42
Table 1. African American 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 African American
Member of Congress.
Table 2. African American 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 Mc
105th-110th 1997-2007
IN
10th, 7th
D
Carson, Andréc
110th -
2008-
IN
7th
D
Cheatham, Henry P.
51st-52nd
1889-1893
NC
2nd
R
Chisholm, Shirley A.d
91st-97th
1969-1983
NY
12th
D
Christian-Christensen, Donna
105th-
1997-
VI
AL D
Clarke, Yvette D.
110th 2007-
NY
11th
D
Clay, William L. Sr.
91st-106th 1969-2001
MO
1st
D
Clay, William Lacy Jr.
107th-
2001-
MO
1st
D
Clayton, Eva M.e
102nd-107th 1992-2003
NC
1st
D
Cleaver, Emanuel
109th-
2005-
MO
5th
D
Clyburn, James E.
103rd-
1993-
SC
6th
D

CRS-43
Name
Congress(es)
Years
State
District*
Party
Collins, Barbara-Rose
102nd-104th
1991-1997
MI
15th
D
Collins, Cardissf
93rd-104th
1973-1997
IL
7th
D
Collins, George W.g
91st-92nd
1970-1972
IL
6th
D
Conyers, John Jr.
89th-
1965-
MI
14th
D
Crockett, George W.h
96th-101st
1980-1991
MI
13th
D
Cummings, Elijah E.i
104th-
1996-
MD
7th
D
Davis, Artur
108th-
2003-
AL
7th
D
Davis, Danny K.
105th-
1997-
IL
7th
D
Dawson, William L.j
78th-91st
1943-1970
IL
1st
D
DeLarge, Robert C.k
42nd
1871-1873
SC
2nd
R
Dellums, Ronald V.l
92nd-105th 1971-1998
CA
8th
D
DePriest, Oscar S.
71st-73rd
1929-1935
IL
1st
R
Diggs, Charles C. Jr.m
84th-96th
1955-1980
MI
13th
D
Dixon, Julian C.n
96th-106th 1979-2000
CA
32nd
D
Dymally, Mervyn M.
97th-102nd
1981-1993
CA
31st
D
Edwards, Donnao
110th -
2008-
MD
4th
D
Elliott, Robert B.p
42nd-43rd
1871-1874
SC
3rd
R
Ellison, Keith
110th 2007-
MN
5th
D
Espy, Albert M. (Mike)q
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.r
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-109th
1997-2007
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. IIIs
96th-102nd
1979-1991
PA
2nd
D
Green, Al
109th-
2005-
TX
9th
D
Hall, Katie Bt
97th-98th
1982-1985
IN
1st
D

CRS-44
Name
Congress(es)
Years
State
District*
Party
Haralson, Jeremiah
44th
1875-1877
AL
1st
R
Hastings, Alcee L.
103rd-
1993-
FL
23rd
D
Hawkins, Augustus F.
88th-101st
1963-1991
CA
29th
D
Hayes, Charles A.u
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.v
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
Johnson, Henry C. (Hank) Jr.
110th -
2007-
GA
4th
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.w
51st
1890-1891
VA
4th
R
Lee, Barbarax
105th-
1998-
CA
9th
D
Leland, George T. (Mickey)y
96th-101st
1979-1989
TX
18th
D
Lewis, John R.
100th-
1987-
GA
5th
D
Long, Jefferson F.z
41st
1870-1871
GA
4th
R
Lynch, John R.aa
43rd-44th
1873-1877
MS
7th
R
47th
1882-1883
McKinney, Cynthia A.
103rd- 107th
1993-2003
GA
4th
D
109th
2005-2007
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, Gregoraab
105th-
1998-
NY
6th
D
Metcalfe, Ralph H.ac
92nd-95th
1971-1978
IL
1st
D
Mfume, Kweisiad
100th-104th
1987-1996
MD
7th
D
Millender-McDonald,
104th-110th 1996-2007
CA
37th
D
Juanitaae
Miller, Thomas E.af
51st
1890-1891
SC
7th
R

CRS-45
Name
Congress(es)
Years
State
District*
Party
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
Murray, George W.af
53rd-54th
1893-1895
SC
7th
R
1896-1897
Nash, Charles E.
44th
1875-1877
LA
6th
R
Nix, Robert N.C. Sr.ah
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-107th 1983-2007
NY
11th
D
Payne, Donald M.
101st-
1989-
NJ
10th
D
Powell, Adam C. Jr.ai
79th-89th
1945-1967
NY
18th
D
91st
1969-1971
Rainey, Joseph H.aj
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.ak
103rd-104th
1993-1995
IL
2nd
D
Richardson, Lauraal
110th -
2007-
CA
37th
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, Robertam
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.an
103rd-
1993-
MS
2nd
D
Towns, Edolphus
98th-
1983-
NY
10th
D
Tucker, Walter R.ao
103rd-104th
1993-1995
CA
37th
D
Turner, Benjamin S.
42nd
1871-1873
AL
1st
R
Waldon, Alton R. Jr.ap
99th
1986-1987
NY
6th
D

CRS-46
Name
Congress(es)
Years
State
District*
Party
Walls, Josiah T.aq
42nd
1871-1873
FL
AL
R
43rd
1873-1875
44th
1875-1876
Washington, Craig A.ar
101st-103rd
1989-1995
TX
18th
D
Washington, Harold D.as 97th-98th
1981-1983
IL
1st
D
Waters, Maxine
102nd-
1991-
CA
35th
D
Watson, Diane E.at
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.au
103rd-110th 1993-2008
MD
4th
D
Young, Andrew J.av
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. Died on Dec. 15, 2007, and replaced by her grandson, Rep. André Carson on Mar. 13, 2008.
d. First African American woman elected to Congress and first African American female presidential
candidate, 1972.
e. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Walter Jones; took office on Nov. 5, 1992.
f. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of her husband, Rep. George W. Collins; seated on
June 7, 1973.
g. 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.
h. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Charles C. Diggs Jr.; seated on Nov.
12, 1980.
i. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Kweisi Mfume; seated on Apr. 25,
1996.
j. Died on Nov. 9, 1970.
k. Seat declared vacant on January 24, 1873, after Rep. Robert DeLarge’s election was successfully
contested.
l. Resigned from officeon Feb. 6, 1998.
m Resigned from office on June 3, 1980.
n. Died on Dec. 8, 2000.
o. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Albert Wynn; seated on June 19, 2008.
p. Resigned from office, effective Nov. 1, 1874.
q. Resigned from office on Jan. 25, 1993, to become Secretary of Agriculture.
r. Delegate from the District of Columbia. Elected in a special election and sworn in on Apr. 19, 1971.
s. Resigned from office on Sep. 11, 1991.
t. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Adam Benjamin; seated on Nov. 29, 1982.
u. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Harold Washington; seated on Sep. 12,
1983.
v. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Mel Reynolds; seated on Dec. 14,
1995.

CRS-47
w. Successfully contested the election of Rep. Edward C. Venable and served from Sep. 23, 1890, to
Mar. 3, 1891.
x
v. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Ronald Dellums; seated on Apr. 20,
1998.
y. Died in a plane crash on Aug. 7, 1989, while in Ethiopia on a fact-finding tour investigating hunger
among refugees.
z. 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.
aa. Successfully contested the election of Rep. James R. Chalmers to the 47th Congress; served from
Apr. 29, 1882, to Mar. 3, 1883.
ab. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Floyd Flake; seated on Feb. 5, 1998.
ac. Died on Oct. 10, 1978.
ad. Resigned from office on Feb. 16, 1996.
ae. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Walter Tucker; seated on Apr. 16,
1996. Died on Apr. 22, 2007.
af. Successfully contested an election; served from Sep. 24, 1890, to Mar. 3, 1891.
ag. Successfully contested an election; served from June 4, 1896, to Mar. 3, 1897.
ah. First elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Earl Chudoff; seated on June 4,
1958.
ai. 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.
aj. First African American 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.
ak. Resigned from office on Oct. 1, 1995.
al. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald; seated on
Sep. 4, 2007.
am. 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.
an. Elected to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Mike Espy; seated on Apr. 20, 1993.
ao. Resigned from office on Dec. 15, 1995.
ap. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Joseph Addabbo; seated on July 29, 1986.
aq. 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.
ar. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Mickey Leland; seated on Dec. 9, 1989.
as. Resigned on Apr. 29, 1983, to become mayor of Chicago.
at. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Julian Dixon; seated on June 7, 2001.
au. Resigned from office on May 31, 2008.
av. Resigned his seat on Jan. 29, 1977, to become U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

CRS-48
Table 3. Number and Names of African American Members of Congress, by
Congress
No.
Chamber
Names
110th Congress (2007-2009)
42a
House
Sanford D. Bishop Jr.
Chaka Fattah
Juanita Millender-
Corrine Brown
Al Green
McDonald
G.K. Butterfield
Alcee L. Hastings
Gwen Moore
André Carson
Jesse L. Jackson Jr.
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Julia M. Carson
Sheila Jackson Lee
Donald M. Payne
Donna Christian-
William J. Jefferson
Charles B. Rangel
Christensen
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Laura Richardsona
Yvette D. Clarke
Henry (Hank) Johnson
Bobby L. Rush
William Lacy Clay Jr.
Stephanie Tubbs Jones
David Scott
Emanuel Cleaver
Carolyn Cheeks
Robert C. Scott
James E. Clyburn
Kilpatrick
Bennie G. Thompson
John Conyers Jr.
Barbara Lee
Edolphus Towns
Elijah E. Cummings
John Lewis
Maxine Waters
Artur Davis
Kendrick Meek
Diane E. Watson
Danny K. Davis
Gregory W. Meeks
Melvin L. Watt
Donna Edwards
Albert R. Wynn
Keith Ellison
1
Senate
Barack Obama
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

CRS-49
No.
Chamber
Names
108th Congress (2003-2005)
39b
House
Frank W. Ballance Jr.c
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
Andre Carson
Stephanie Tubbs Jones
David Scott
Julia M. Carson
Carolyn Cheeks
Robert C. Scott
Donna Christian-
Kilpatrick
Bennie G. Thompson
Christensen
Barbara Lee
Edolphus Towns
William Lacy Clay Jr.
John Lewis
Maxine Waters
James E. Clyburn
Denise Majette
Diane E. Watson
John Conyers Jr.
Kendrick Meek
Melvin L. Watt
Elijah E. Cummings
Gregory W. Meeks
Albert R. Wynn
Artur Davis
Juanita Millender-
Danny K. Davis
McDonald
Chaka Fattah
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Harold E. Ford Jr.
Alcee L. Hastings
Senate
None
107th Congress (2001-2003)
39d
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

CRS-50
No.
Chamber
Names
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. Dixone
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
105th Congress (1997-1999)
39f
House
Sanford D. Bishop Jr.
Floyd Flakeh
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. Dellumsg
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

CRS-51
No.
Chamber
Names
104th Congress (1995-1997)
40i
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. Reynoldsk
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 Tuckerl
Ronald V. Dellums
Cynthia A. McKinney
Maxine Waters
Julian C. Dixon
Carrie P. Meek
Melvin L. Watt
Chaka Fattah
Kweisi Mfumej
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
103rd Congress (1993-1995)
39m
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 Espyn
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)
27o
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 H. Gray IIIp
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

CRS-52
No.
Chamber
Names
101st Congress (1989-1991)
24q
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 Lelandr
Craig A. Washington
Mervyn M. Dymally
John Lewis
Alan D. Wheat
Mike Espy
Kweisi Mfume
Walter E. Fauntroy
Major R. Owens
Senate
None
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)
21s
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. Washingtont
Julian C. Dixon
Mickey Leland
Alan D. Wheat
Mervyn M. Dymally
Parren J. Mitchell
Walter E. Fauntroy
Major R. Owens
Senate
None

CRS-53
No.
Chamber
Names
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
96th Congress (1979-1981)
17u
House
Shirley A. Chisholm
Charles C. Diggs Jr.v
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

CRS-54
No.
Chamber
Names
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
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)
5w
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

CRS-55
No.
Chamber
Names
78th Congress (1943-1945)
1
House
William L. Dawson
Senate
None
74th - 77th Congresses (1935-1943)
1
House
Arthur W. Mitchell
Senate
None
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

CRS-56
No.
Chamber
Names
47th Congress (1881-1883)
2
House
John R. Lynch
Robert Smalls
Senate
None
46th Congress (1879-1881)
House
None
1
Senate
Blanche K. Bruce
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. Wallsx
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. Wallsx
Robert B. Elliotty
Alonzo J. Ransier
John R. Lynch
James T. Rapier
Senate
None
42nd Congress (1871-1873)
5
House
Robert C. DeLargez
Joseph H. Rainey
Josiah T. Walls
Robert B. Elliott
Benjamin S. Turner
Senate
None
41st Congress (1869-1871)aa
2
House
Jefferson F. Long
Joseph H. Rainey
1
Senate
Hiram R. Revels
a. Although 45 different African American individuals have been elected to the House for the 110th Congress, 42 is the
largest number to serve at any one time. Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald died on Apr. 22, 2007, and was
replaced by Rep. Laura Richardson Sept. 4, 2007; Rep. Julia Carson died on Dec. 15, 2007, and was replaced by
Rep. André Carson on Mar. 13, 2008; and Rep. Albert Wynn resigned on May 31, 2008, and was replaced by Rep.
Donna Edwards on June 19, 2008.
b. Although 40 African American 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.
c. Resigned on June 11, 2004.
d. Although 40 African American 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.
e. Died on Dec. 8, 2000.

CRS-57
f. Although 41 African American 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.
g. Resigned on Feb. 6, 1998.
h. Resigned on Nov. 15, 1997.
i. Although 43 African American 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.
j. Resigned on Feb. 16, 1996.
k. Resigned on Oct. 1, 1995.
l. Resigned on Dec. 15, 1995.
m. Although 40 African American 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.
n. Resigned on Jan. 25, 1993, to become Secretary of Agriculture.
o. Although 28 African American individuals were elected to the House in the 102nd Congress, 27 was the largest number
to serve at any one time. Rep. William H. Gray III resigned and was replaced by Rep. Lucien Blackwell.
p. Resigned on Sept. 11, 1991.
q. Although 25 African American 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.
r. Died Aug. 2, 1989.
s. Although 22 African American 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.
t. Resigned on April 29, 1983.
u. 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.
v. Resigned on June 3, 1980.
w. Rep. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. was reelected to the 90th Congress, but never took his seat.
x. Resigned from Congress on Jan. 29, 1873, and on April 19, 1876, after his election was successfully contested during
two different Congresses.
y. Resigned from Congress on Nov. 1, 1874.
z. His seat was declared vacant on Jan. 24, 1873, after his election was successfully contested.
aa. There were no African American Members of the U.S. Congress until 1870, the 41st Congress, 2nd session.

CRS-58
Table 4. Number and Names of African American 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
11
Augustus F. Hawkins
1963-1991
Ronald V. Dellums
1971-1998
Yvonne Braithwaite Burke
1973-1979
Julian C. Dixon
1979-2000
Mervyn M. Dymally
1981-1993
Maxine Waters
1991-
Walter R. Tucker
1993-1995
Juanita Millender-McDonald
1996-2007
Barbara Lee
1998-
Diane E. Watson
2001-
Laura Richardson
2007-
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
8
Jefferson F. Long
1870-1871
Andrew J. Young
1973-1977
John R. Lewis
1987-
Sanford D. Bishop Jr.
1993-
Cynthia A. McKinney
1993-2003,
2005-2007
Denise L. Majette
2003-2005
David Scott
2003-
Henry C. (Hank) Johnson Jr.
2007-

CRS-59
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 Obamaa
2005-
Indiana
3
Katie B. Hall
1982-1985
Julia Carson
1997-2007
André Carson
2008-
Louisiana
3
Charles E. Nash
1875-1877
William J. Jefferson
1991-
Cleo Fields
1993-1997
Maryland
5
Parren J. Mitchell
1971-1987
Kweisi Mfume
1987-1996
Albert R. Wynn
1993-2008
Elijah E. Cummings
1996-
Donna Edwards
2008-
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-
Minnesota
1
Keith Ellison
2007-
Mississippi
5
Hiram Rhodes 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-60
Years of
State
Number
Names
Service
New York
9
Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
1945-1967
1969-1971
Shirley A. Chisholm
1969-1983
Charles B. Rangel
1971-
Major R. Owens
1983-2007
Edolphus Towns
1983-
Alton R. Waldon Jr.
1986-1987
Floyd H. Flake
1987-1997
Gregory Meeks
1998-
Yvette D. Clarke
2007-
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-61
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-62
Table 5. Number of African American Members in the U.S.
Congress, 41st-110th Congresses (1870-2008)
Total African
African
African
American
American
American
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-63
Total African
African
African
American
American
American
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-64
Total African
African
African
American
American
American
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 2003-2005
39
39
0
109th 2005-2007
43
42
1
110th 2007-2009
43
42
1
a. The numbers here reflect the highest number of African American Members to serve in the House
at any one time during a Congress. For example, a record number of 46 African American
Members were elected to the 110th Congress, but only 43 have served at any one time during the
Congress.
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