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Pr
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There are 42 African American Members serving in the 110th Congress, all serving in the House.
President-elect Barack Obama served in the Senate until he resigned on November 16, 2008.
There have been 124 African American Members of Congress: 119 elected to the House and five
to the Senate. There have been 97 Democrats: 95 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.

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Background ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Female Members ............................................................................................................................. 2
Relationships ................................................................................................................................... 3
Oldest and Youngest African American Members........................................................................... 3
African American Members in Leadership Positions...................................................................... 3
Tables and Data ............................................................................................................................... 4
Alphabetical Listing of African American Members, Selected Biographical Information,
and Committee Assignments During Their Tenure in Office ....................................................... 5

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Table 1. African American Members of Congress—Senate.......................................................... 43
Table 2. African American Members of Congress—House of Representatives............................ 43
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 .................... 59
Table 5. Number of African American Members in the U.S. Congress, 41st-110th
Congresses (1870-2008)............................................................................................................. 63

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Author Contact Information .......................................................................................................... 66

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One hundred twenty-four African Americans have been elected to the U.S. Congress: 119 to the
House and five to the Senate.1 Of these, 28 have been women. Until the resignation of President-
elect Barack Obama from the Senate on November 16, 2008, there were 43 African American
Members serving throughout the 110th Congress, 42 in the House of Representatives and one in
the Senate. This is the same number as the record 43 African American Members (all Democrats)
who served in the 109th Congress.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
The majority of African American Members of Congress (97) 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.

1 Includes three Delegates from the U.S. Virgin Islands and two from the District of Columbia.
2 A record 47 different African American Members have served in the 110th Congress (46 in the House and one in the
Senate). However, only 43 (42 in the House and one in the Senate) served at any one time. In addition to the
resignation Barack Obama on Nov. 16, 2008, 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 (D-IN) on Mar. 13, 2008; Rep. Al Wynn (D-
MD) resigned on May 31, 2008, and was replaced by Rep. Donna Edwards (D-IN) on June 19, 2008; and Rep.
Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH) died on Aug. 20, 2008, and was replaced by Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH) on Nov. 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 though only 40 actually served at any one time.
3 Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) is the first African American male Democrat to serve in the Senate.
4For an in depth look at African Americans in Congress, refer to U .S. Congress, House, Office of History and
Preservation, Black Americans in Congress, 1870-2007 (Washington: GPO, 2008), http://baic.house.gov, visited Nov.
15, 2008.
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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 an African American Member
(nearly 44 years). He was first elected to the 89th Congress and has served since January 3, 1965.
Twenty-three African American Members have first been elected to fill vacancies in the House.
They include Representatives 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;
Donna Edwards (D-MD, 2008-present); and Marcia L. Fudge (D-IN, 2008-present). Former
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). All of these
Members, except Representatives Stewart and Waldon, were subsequently elected to additional
terms.5
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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
28 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), Diane
Watson (D-CA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Laura Richardson (D-CA), Donna
Edwards (D-MD), and Marcia Fudge (D-OH). 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,

5 Representatives Fudge’s first opportunity to stand for reelection is November 2, 2010.
6 A record 17 African American women, including the late Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA), the late Julia Carson,
and the late Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH) were elected to the House in the 110th Congress. However, 14 is the largest
number to serve at any one time.
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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); Julia Carson (D-IN, 1997-2007); and Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH,
1999-2008).
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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). Representative George White (R-NC, 1897-1901) was the brother-in-
law of Representative Henry Cheatham (R-NC, 1889-1893).
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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.
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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
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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; and Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS,
1993-present), chair of the House Homeland Security Committee.
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); Juanita
Millender-McDonald (D-CA, 1996-2007); and Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH, 1999-2008).
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This part of the report provides tabular information on African American Members
of Congress, including the Congresses in which they served, the commit ees on
which they served, and, where relevant, an indication of the commit ees they
chaired or co-chaired. In addition, five tables summarize information about African
American Members.
Table 1 and Table 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 additional
information, refer to Black Americans in Congress, 1870-2007, (Washington: GPO, 2008),
http://baic.house.gov, written by the Office of History and Preservation in the House of
Representatives.
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

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.
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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 Subcommittees 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.
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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

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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

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
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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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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
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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

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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
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DELLUMS, RONALD V., a Representative from California. Born on November 25, 1935.
Elected as a Democrat to the 92nd through 105th Congresses; served from January 3, 1971, until
February 6, 1998, when he resigned from the House. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 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)
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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 F., 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
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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

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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

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
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FLAKE, FLOYD H., a Representative from New York. Born on January 30, 1945. Elected as a
Democrat to the 100th through 105th Congresses; served from January 6, 1987, to November 15,
1997, when he resigned from the House.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs
100th-103rd
H. Banking and Financial Services
104th-105th
H. Small Business
100th-105th
H. Government Operations
103rd
H. Select Children, Youth, and Families
100th
H. Select Hunger
100th-102nd

FORD, HAROLD E. Sr., a Representative from Tennessee. Born on May 20, 1945. Elected as a
Democrat to the 94th through 104th Congresses; served from January 3, 1975, to January 3, 1997.
First 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

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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

FUDGE, MARCIA L., a representative from Ohio. Born on October 29, 1952. Elected as
Democrat to the 111th Congress and later to the 110th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the
death of Stephanie Tubbs Jones; has served since November 19, 2008.
Committee Assignments
Congress
None yet assigned

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
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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

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
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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

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
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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

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

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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

JONES, STEPHANIE TUBBS, a Representative from Ohio. Born on September 10, 1949; died
on August 20, 2008. Elected as a Democrat to the 106th through 109th Congresses; reelected to the
110th Congress; served from January 3, 1999, to August 20, 2008.
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
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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

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
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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

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

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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

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
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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

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

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MILLENDER-McDONALD, JUANITA, a Representative from California. Born on September 7,
1938; died on April 22, 2007. Elected as a Democrat to the104th 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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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 Congress
102nd-103r
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; served from January 4, 2005, until November
16, 2009, when he resigned after being elected President of the U.S. He is not only the first
African American elected President but also the 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

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

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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

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

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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

RANGEL, CHARLES B., a Representative from New York. Born on June 11, 1930. Elected as a
Democrat to the 92nd through 109th Congresses; reelected to the 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

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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

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

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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

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
H. Standards of Official Conduct
110th

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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

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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)

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TOWNS, EDOLPHUS, a Representative from New York. Born on July 21, 1934.Elected as a
Democrat to the 98th through 109th Congresses; reelected to the110th 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

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

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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

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

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WATERS, MAXINE, a Representative from California. Born on August 31, 1938.Elected as a
Democrat to the 102nd through 109th Congresses, reelected to the110th Congress; has served since
January 3, 1991. Chair of the CongressionalBlack Caucus in the 105th Congress; vice chair of the
Democratic SteeringCommittee in the 105th through 108th Congresses; a Democratic chief
deputywhip 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

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
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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

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
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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

Table 1. African American Members of Congres —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, Baracka 109th-110th 2005-2008
IL D
Revels, Hiram R.b 41st 1870-1871
MS
R
a. Resigned on Nov. 16, 2008, after being elected President of the U.S. for the term beginning Jan. 20, 2009.
b. Seated after Mississippi was readmitted to the Union on Feb. 23, 1870; first African American Member of
Congress.
Table 2. African American Members of Congres —House of Representatives
Name
Congress(es) Years State
Districta Party
Ballance, Frank W. Jr.
108th 2003-2004
NC 1st D
Bishop, Sanford D. Jr.
103rd- 1993-
GA
2nd D
Blackwell, Lucien E.b 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.c 108th- 2004-
NC
1st D
Cain, Richard Harvey
43rd
1873-1875
SC AL R
45th
1877-1879
Carson, Julia Md 105th-110th 1997-2007 IN 10th, 7th D
Carson, Andréd 110th -
2008-
IN
7th D
Cheatham, Henry P.
51st-52nd 1889-1893
NC 2nd R
Chisholm, Shirley A.e 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
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Name Congress(es)
Years
State
Districta
Party
Clayton, Eva M.f 102nd-107th 1992-2003 NC 1st D
Cleaver, Emanuel
109th- 2005-
MO
5th D
Clyburn, James E.
103rd- 1993-
SC
6th D
Collins, Barbara-Rose
102nd-104th 1991-1997 MI 15th D
Collins, Cardissg 93rd-104th 1973-1997 IL 7th D
Collins, George W.h 91st-92nd 1970-1972
IL 6th D
Conyers, John Jr.
89th- 1965-
MI
14th D
Crockett, George W.i 96th-101st 1980-1991
MI 13th D
Cummings, Elijah E.j 104th- 1996-
MD
7th D
Davis, Artur
108th- 2003-
AL
7th D
Davis, Danny K.
105th- 1997-
IL
7th D
Dawson, William L.k 78th-91st 1943-1970
IL 1st D
DeLarge, Robert C.l 42nd 1871-1873
SC 2nd R
Dellums, Ronald V.m 92nd-105th 1971-1998
CA 8th D
DePriest, Oscar S.
71st-73rd 1929-1935
IL 1st R
Diggs, Charles C. Jr.n 84th-96th 1955-1980
MI 13th D
Dixon, Julian C.o 96th-106th 1979-2000
CA 32nd D
Dymally, Mervyn M.
97th-102nd 1981-1993
CA 31st D
Edwards, Donna F.p 110th -
2008-
MD
4th D
Elliott, Robert B.q 42nd-43rd 1871-1874
SC 3rd R
Ellison, Keith
110th 2007-
MN
5th D
Espy, Albert M. (Mike)r 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.s 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
Fudge, Marcia L.t
110th- 2008-
OH
11th D
Gray, William H. IIIu 96th-102nd 1979-1991
PA 2nd D
Green, Al
109th- 2005-
TX
9th D
Hall, Katie Bv 97th-98th 1982-1985
IN 1st D
Haralson, Jeremiah
44th 1875-1877
AL 1st R
Hastings, Alcee L.
103rd- 1993-
FL
23rd D
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Name Congress(es)
Years
State
Districta
Party
Hawkins, Augustus F.
88th-101st 1963-1991
CA 29th D
Hayes, Charles A.w 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.x 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 Tubbsy 106th-110th 1999-2008
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.z 51st 1890-1891
VA 4th R
Lee, Barbaraaa 105th- 1998-
CA
9th D
Leland, George T. (Mickey)bb 96th-101st 1979-1989
TX 18th D
Lewis, John R.
100th- 1987-
GA
5th D
Long, Jefferson F.cc 41st 1870-1871
GA
4th R
Lynch, John R.dd 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, Gregoryee 105th- 1998-
NY
6th D
Metcalfe, Ralph H.ff 92nd-95th 1971-1978
IL 1st D
Mfume, Kweisigg 100th-104th 1987-1996 MD 7th D
Millender-McDonald, Juanitahh 104th-110th 1996-2007 CA 37th D
Miller, Thomas E.ii 51st 1890-1891
SC 7th R
Mitchell, Arthur W.
74th-77th 1935-1943
IL 1st D
Mitchell, Parren J.
92nd-99th 1971-1987
MD 7th D
Moore, Gwen
109th 2005-
WI
4th D
Murray, George W.jj 53rd-54th 1893-1895
SC 7th R
1896-1897
Nash, Charles E.
44th 1875-1877
LA 6th R
Nix, Robert N.C. Sr.kk 85th-95th 1958-1979
PA 2nd D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
102nd- 1991-
DC
AL
D
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Name Congress(es)
Years
State
Districta
Party
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.ll 79th-89th
1945-1967
NY 18th D
91st
1969-1971
Rainey, Joseph H.mm 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.nn 103rd-104th 1993-1995 IL 2nd D
Richardson, Lauraoo 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, Robertpp 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.qq 103rd- 1993-
MS
2nd D
Towns, Edolphus
98th- 1983-
NY
10th D
Tucker, Walter R.rr 103rd-104th 1993-1995 CA 37th D
Turner, Benjamin S.
42nd 1871-1873
AL 1st R
Waldon, Alton R. Jr.ss 99th 1986-1987
NY
6th D
Walls, Josiah T.tt 42nd
1871-1873
FL AL R
43rd
1873-1875
44th
1875-1876
Washington, Craig A.uu 101st-103rd 1989-1995 TX 18th D
Washington, Harold D.vv
97th-98th 1981-1983
IL 1st D
Waters, Maxine
102nd- 1991-
CA
35th D
Watson, Diane E.ww 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.xx 103rd-110th 1993-2008
MD 4th D
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Name Congress(es)
Years
State
Districta
Party
Young, Andrew J.yy 93rd-95th 1973-1977
GA 5th D
a. 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.
b. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. William Gray; seated on Nov. 13, 1991.
c. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Frank Ballance, seated on July 21, 2004.
d. Died on Dec. 15, 2007, and replaced by her grandson, Rep. André Carson on Mar. 13, 2008.
e. First African American woman elected to Congress and first African American female presidential candidate,
1972.
f. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Walter Jones; took office on Nov. 5, 1992.
g. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of her husband, Rep. George W. Collins; seated on June 7,
1973.
h. 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.
i. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Charles C. Diggs Jr.; seated on Nov. 12, 1980.
j. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Kweisi Mfume; seated on Apr. 25, 1996.
k. Died on Nov. 9, 1970.
l. Seat declared vacant on January 24, 1873, after Rep. Robert DeLarge’s election was successfully contested.
m. Resigned from office on Feb. 6, 1998.
n. Resigned from office on June 3, 1980.
o. Died on Dec. 8, 2000.
p. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Albert Wynn; seated on June 19, 2008.
q. Resigned from office, effective Nov. 1, 1874.
r. Resigned from office on Jan. 25, 1993, to become Secretary of Agriculture.
s. Delegate from the District of Columbia. Elected in a special election and sworn in on Apr. 19, 1971.
t. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones; seated on Nov. 19,2008.
u. Resigned from office on Sep. 11, 1991.
v. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Adam Benjamin; seated on Nov. 29, 1982.
w. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Harold Washington; seated on Sep. 12, 1983.
x. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Mel Reynolds; seated on Dec. 14, 1995.
y. Died on August 20, 2008.
z. Successfully contested the election of Rep. Edward C. Venable and served from Sep. 23, 1890, to Mar. 3,
1891.
aa. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Ronald Dellums; seated on Apr. 20,1998.
bb. Died in a plane crash on Aug. 7, 1989, while in Ethiopia on a fact-finding tour investigating hunger among
refugees.
cc. 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.
dd. Successfully contested the election of Rep. James R. Chalmers to the 47th Congress; served from Apr. 29,
1882, to Mar. 3, 1883.
ee. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Floyd Flake; seated on Feb. 5, 1998.
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ff. Died on Oct. 10, 1978.
gg. Resigned from office on Feb. 16, 1996.
hh. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Walter Tucker; seated on Apr. 16, 1996. Died
on Apr. 22, 2007.
ii. Successfully contested an election; served from Sep. 24, 1890, to Mar. 3, 1891.
jj. Successfully contested an election; served from June 4, 1896, to Mar. 3, 1897.
kk. First elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Earl Chudoff; seated on June 4, 1958.
ll. 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.
mm. 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.
nn. Resigned from office on Oct. 1, 1995.
oo. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald; seated on Sep. 4, 2007.
pp. 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.
qq. Elected to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Mike Espy; seated on Apr. 20, 1993.
rr. Resigned from office on Dec. 15, 1995.
ss. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Joseph Addabbo; seated on July 29, 1986.
tt. 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.
uu. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Mickey Leland; seated on Dec. 9, 1989.
vv. Resigned on Apr. 29, 1983, to become mayor of Chicago.
ww. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Julian Dixon; seated on June 7, 2001.
xx. Resigned from office on May 31, 2008.
yy. Resigned his seat on Jan. 29, 1977, to become U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
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
Marcia L. Fudge
McDonald
G.K. Butterfield
Al Green
Gwen Moore
André Carson
Alcee L. Hastings
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Julia M. Carson
Jesse L. Jackson Jr.
Donald M. Payne
Donna Christian-
Sheila Jackson Lee
Charles B. Rangel
Christensen
William J. Jefferson
Laura Richardson
Yvette D. Clarke
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Bobby L. Rush
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No. Chamber
Names

William Lacy Clay Jr.
Henry (Hank) Johnson
David Scott
Emanuel Cleaver
Stephanie Tubbs Jones
Robert C. Scott
James E. Clyburn
Carolyn Cheeks
Bennie G. Thompson
John Conyers Jr.
Kilpatrick
Edolphus Towns
Elijah E. Cummings
Barbara Lee
Maxine Waters
Artur Davis
John Lewis
Diane E. Watson
Danny K. Davis
Kendrick Meek
Melvin L. Watt
Donna F. Edwards
Gregory W. Meeks
Albert R. Wynn
Keith Ellison

1b 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

108th Congress (2003-2005)
39c
House
Frank W. Ballance Jr.
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
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No. Chamber
Names

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

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
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No. Chamber
Names

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. Dixon
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)
39e House
Sanford D. Bishop Jr.
Floyd Flake
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. Dellums
John Lewis
Maxine Waters
Julian C. Dixon
Cynthia A. McKinney
Melvin L. Watt
Chaka Fattah
Carrie P. Meek
J.C. Watts Jr.
Gregory W. Meeks
Albert R. Wynn
1 Senate Carol
Moseley-Braun

104th Congress (1995-1997)
40f
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. Reynolds
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 Tucker
Ronald V. Dellums
Cynthia A. McKinney
Maxine Waters
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ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǱȱŗŞŝŖȬŘŖŖŞȱ
ȱ
No. Chamber
Names

Julian C. Dixon
Carrie P. Meek
Melvin L. Watt
Chaka Fattah
Kweisi Mfume
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)
39g
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 Espy
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)
27h
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 III
Louis Stokes
Cardiss Collins
Charles A. Hayes
Edolphus Towns
John Conyers Jr.
William J. Jefferson
Craig A. Washington
Ronald V. Dellums
John Lewis
Maxine Waters
Julian C. Dixon
Kweisi Mfume
Alan D. Wheat
Mervyn M. Dymally
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Mike Espy
Major R. Owens
Senate None

101st Congress (1989-1991)
24i
House
William L. Clay Sr.
Floyd H. Flake
Donald M. Payne
ȱȱȱ
śŘȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǱȱŗŞŝŖȬŘŖŖŞȱ
ȱ
No. Chamber
Names

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 Leland
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)
21j
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. Washington
Julian C. Dixon
Mickey Leland
Alan D. Wheat
Mervyn M. Dymally
Parren J. Mitchell
ȱȱȱ
śřȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǱȱŗŞŝŖȬŘŖŖŞȱ
ȱ
No. Chamber
Names

Walter E. Fauntroy
Major R. Owens
Senate None

97th Congress (1981-1983)
19
House
Shirley A. Chisholm
Mervyn M. Dymally
Parren J. Mitchell
William L. Clay Sr.
Walter E. Fauntroy
Charles R. Rangel
Cardiss Collins
Harold E. Ford Sr.
Gus Savage
John Conyers Jr.
William H. Gray III
Louis Stokes
George W. Crockett
Katie B. Hall
Harold D. Washington
Ronald V. Dellums
Augustus F. Hawkins
Julian C. Dixon
Mickey Leland
Senate None

96th Congress (1979-1981)
17k
House
Shirley A. Chisholm
Charles C. Diggs Jr.
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.
ȱȱȱ
śŚȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǱȱŗŞŝŖȬŘŖŖŞȱ
ȱ
No. Chamber
Names

Shirley A. Chisholm
Walter E. Fauntroy
Charles B. Rangel
William L. Clay Sr.
Augustus F. Hawkins
Louis Stokes
Cardiss Collins
Barbara C. Jordan
Andrew J. Young
John Conyers Jr.
Ralph H. Metcalfe
Ronald V. Dellums
Parren J. Mitchell
1
Senate
Edward W. Brooke

92nd Congress (1971-1973)
13 House
Shirley A. Chisholm
Charles C. Diggs Jr.
Robert N.C. Nix Sr.
William L. Clay Sr.
Walter E. Fauntroy
Charles B. Rangel
George W. Collins
Augustus F. Hawkins
Louis Stokes
John Conyers Jr.
Ralph H. Metcalfe
Ronald V. Dellums
Parren J. Mitchell
1
Senate
Edward W. Brooke

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)
5l 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.
ȱȱȱ
śśȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǱȱŗŞŝŖȬŘŖŖŞȱ
ȱ
No. Chamber
Names

79th - 83rd Congresses (1945-1955)
2 House
William L. Dawson
Adam C. Powell Jr.

Senate None

78th Congress (1943-1945)
1
House
William L. Dawson

Senate None

74th - 77th Congresses (1935-1943)
1
House
Arthur W. Mitchell

Senate None

71st - 73rd Congresses (1929-1935)
1
House
Oscar S. DePriest

Senate None

57th - 70th Congresses (1901-1929)

House None

Senate None

55th - 56th Congresses (1897-1901)
1
House
George H. White

Senate None

53rd - 54th Congresses (1893-1897)
1
House
George W. Murray

Senate None

52nd Congress (1891-1893)
1
House
Henry P. Cheatham

Senate None

51st Congress (1889-1891)
3 House Henry P. Cheatham
John M. Langston
Thomas E. Miller
Senate None

50th Congress (1887-1889)

House None

Senate None

48th - 49th Congresses (1883-1887)
2
House
James E. O’Hara
Robert Smalls

Senate None

47th Congress (1881-1883)
2 House John R. Lynch
Robert Smalls

Senate None

46th Congress (1879-1881)
ȱȱȱ
śŜȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǱȱŗŞŝŖȬŘŖŖŞȱ
ȱ
No. Chamber
Names

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. Walls
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. Walls
Robert B. Elliott
Alonzo J. Ransier
John R. Lynch
James T. Rapier
Senate None

42nd Congress (1871-1873)
5 House Robert C. DeLarge
Joseph H. Rainey
Josiah T. Walls
Robert B. Elliott
Benjamin S. Turner
Senate None

41st Congress (1869-1871)m
2
House
Jefferson F. Long
Joseph H. Rainey

1
Senate
Hiram R. Revels

a. Although 46 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; Rep. Albert Wynn resigned on May 31, 2008, and was
replaced by Rep. Donna F. Edwards on June 19, 2008; and Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones died on Aug. 20,
2008, and was replaced by Rep. Marcia L. Fudge on Nov. 19, 2008.
b. Sen. Barack Obama resigned from the Senate on Nov. 16, 2008, after being elected President of the U.S.
c. 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.
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. e. 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.
f. 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.
ȱȱȱ
śŝȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǱȱŗŞŝŖȬŘŖŖŞȱ
ȱ
g. 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.
h. 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.
i. 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.
j. 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.
k. 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.
l. Rep. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. was reelected to the 90th Congress, but never took his seat.
m. There were no African American Members of the U.S. Congress until 1870, the 41st Congress, 2nd session.
ȱȱȱ
śŞȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǱȱŗŞŝŖȬŘŖŖŞȱ
ȱ
Table 4. Number and Names of African American Members of Congres , by State
State
Number
Names
Years of 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 Columbia
2
Walter E. Fauntroy
1971-1991
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-
Illinois
16
Oscar S. DePriest
1929-1935
Arthur W. Mitchell
1935-1943
William L. Dawson
1943-1970
ȱȱȱ
śşȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǱȱŗŞŝŖȬŘŖŖŞȱ
ȱ
State
Number
Names
Years of Service
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
2005-2008
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-
ȱȱȱ
ŜŖȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǱȱŗŞŝŖȬŘŖŖŞȱ
ȱ
State
Number
Names
Years of Service
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-
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 3
Louis
Stokes 1969-1999
Stephanie Tubbs Jones
1999-2008
Marcia L. Fudge
2008-
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
ȱȱȱ
Ŝŗȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǱȱŗŞŝŖȬŘŖŖŞȱ
ȱ
State
Number
Names
Years of Service
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.
1997-2007
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-
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.
ȱȱȱ
ŜŘȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǱȱŗŞŝŖȬŘŖŖŞȱ
ȱ
Table 5. Number of African American Members in the U.S. Congress, 41st-110th
Congresses (1870-2008)
African American
African American
Congress Year
Total African American
Members of Congress
Members of Housea
Members of Senate
41st 1869-
3 2
1
1871
42nd 1871-
5 5
–
1873
43rd 1873-
7 7
–
1875
44th 1875-
8 7
1
1877
45th 1877-
4 3
1
1879
46th 1879-
1 –
1
1881
47th 1881-
2 2
–
1883
48th 1883-
2 2
–
1885
49th 1885-
2 2
–
1887
50th 1887-
– -
–
1889
51st 1889-
3 3
–
1891
52nd 1891-
1 1
–
1893
53rd 1893-
1 1
–
1895
54th 1895-
1 1
–
1897
55th 1897-
1 1
–
1899
56th 1899-
1 1
–
1901
57th 1901-
– –
–
1903
58th 1903-
– –
–
1905
59th 1905-
– –
–
1907
60th 1907-
– –
–
1909
61st 1909-
– –
–
1911
ȱȱȱ
Ŝřȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǱȱŗŞŝŖȬŘŖŖŞȱ
ȱ
Total African American
African American
African American
Congress Year
Members of Congress
Members of Housea
Members of Senate
62nd 1911-
– –
–
1913
63rd 1913-
– –
–
1915
64th 1915-
– –
–
1917
65th 1917-
– –
–
1919
66th 1919-
– –
–
1921
67th 1921-
– –
–
1923
68th 1923-
– –
–
1925
69th 1925-
– –
–
1927
70th 1927-
– –
–
1929
71st 1929-
1 1
–
1931
72nd 1931-
1 1
–
1933
73rd 1933-
1 1
–
1935
74th 1935-
1 1
–
1937
75th 1937-
1 1
–
1939
76th 1939-
1 1
–
1941
77th 1941-
1 1
–
1943
78th 1943-
1 1
–
1945
79th 1945-
2 2
–
1947
80th 1947-
2 2
–
1949
81st 1949-
2 2
–
1951
82nd 1951-
2 2
–
1953
83rd 1953-
2 2
–
1955
ȱȱȱ
ŜŚȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǱȱŗŞŝŖȬŘŖŖŞȱ
ȱ
Total African American
African American
African American
Congress Year
Members of Congress
Members of Housea
Members of Senate
84th 1955-
3 3
–
1957
85th 1957-
4 4
–
1959
86th 1959-
4 4
–
1961
87th 1961-
4 4
–
1963
88th 1963-
5 5
–
1965
89th 1965-
6 6
–
1967
90th 1967-
6 5
1
1969
91st 1969-
11 10
1
1971
92nd 1971-
14 13
1
1973
93rd 1973-
17 16
1
1975
94th 1975-
18 17
1
1977
95th 1977-
18 17
1
1979
96th 1979-
17 17
–
1981
97th 1981-
19 19
–
1983
98th 1983-
21 21
–
1985
99th 1985-
21 21
–
1987
100th 1987-
23 23
–
1989
101st 1989-
24 24
–
1991
102nd 1991-
27 27
–
1993
103rd 1993-
40 39
1
1995
104th 1995-
41 40
1
1997
105th 1997-
40 39
1
1999
ȱȱȱ
Ŝśȱ

ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǱȱŗŞŝŖȬŘŖŖŞȱ
ȱ
Total African American
African American
African American
Congress Year
Members of Congress
Members of Housea
Members of Senate
106th 1999-
39 39 0
2001
107th
2001-
39 39 0
2003
108th
2003-
39 39 0
2005
109th
2005-
43 42 1
2007
110th
2007-
42b 42 –b
2009
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 47 African American Members were elected
to the 110th Congress, but only 43 have served at any one time during the Congress.
b. President-elect Barack Obama served in the Senate in the 110th Congress until his resignation on Nov. 16,
2008.

ȱȱȱ
Mildred Amer
Specialist on the Congress
mamer@crs.loc.gov, 7-8304

ȱȱȱ
ŜŜȱ