African American Members of the United
States Congress: 1870-2009
Jennifer E. Manning
Information Research Specialist
Colleen J. Shogan
Senior Specialist in Government and Finance
February 2, 2010
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
RL30378
CRS Report for Congress
P
repared for Members and Committees of Congress
African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
Summary
There are 42 African American Members serving in the 111th Congress, 41 in the House of
Representatives and one in the Senate. President Barack Obama served in the Senate until he
resigned on November 16, 2008. There have been 125 African American Members of Congress:
119 have been elected to the House; five have been elected to the Senate; and one has been
appointed to the Senate. There have been 98 Democrats: 95 in the House, three in the Senate; and
27 Republicans: 24 in the House, three in the Senate.
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 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 (1870-1871). The first African American Member of the House
was Joseph H. Rainey (R-SC), who also served in the 41st 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, 27 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.
Representative John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI, 1965-present), the current chair of the House Judiciary
Committee, holds the record for length of service by an African American Member (45 years). He
was first elected to the 89th Congress (1965-1967) and has served since January 3, 1965.
Representative 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 and 111th Congresses, 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).
Twenty African Americans have served as committee chairs, 19 in the House and one in the
Senate.
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), whose origins date back to 1969, currently has 42
members. Over its 40-year history, the CBC has been one of the most influential caucuses in
Congress.
This report will be updated as needed.
Congressional Research Service
African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1
Historical Overview of African Americans in Congress ......................................................... 1
African American Firsts in Congress ..................................................................................... 4
Length of Service.................................................................................................................. 4
How African Americans Enter Congress................................................................................ 4
African American Members in Leadership Positions ................................................................... 5
Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) ............................................................................................ 5
Martin Luther King Jr. Day ................................................................................................... 8
Ending Apartheid in South Africa.......................................................................................... 8
Humanitarian Aid to Haiti ..................................................................................................... 9
Tables and Data......................................................................................................................... 10
Alphabetical Listing of African American Members, Selected Biographical Information,
and Committee Assignments During Their Tenure in Office ................................................... 11
Figures
Figure 1. Trends in the Number of African Americans in Congress, 41st Congress (1870-
1871) to Present ....................................................................................................................... 2
Figure 2. African Americans as a % of Total Members of Congress ............................................. 3
Figure 3. African Americans in the 111th (2009-2011) Congress................................................... 3
Tables
Table 1. Number and Names of African American Members of Congress, by Congress............. 47
Table 2. African American Members of Congress, 41st Congress to Present, by State or
Territory................................................................................................................................. 57
Table 3. Number of African American Members in the U.S. Congress, 41st Congress to
Present ................................................................................................................................... 60
Contacts
Author Contact Information ...................................................................................................... 63
Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................... 63
Congressional Research Service
African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
Introduction
One hundred twenty-five African Americans have served in the U.S. Congress: 119 in the House
and six in the Senate.1 Of these, 28 have been women. Forty-two (41 in the House and one in the
Senate) serve in the 111th Congress. All are Democrats and 14 are women. A record 43 African
American Members (all Democrats) served in the 109th and 110th Congresses. No African
Americans have served in both houses of Congress.
The majority of African American Members of Congress (98) have been Democrats; 27 have
been Republicans. Five others, all Democrats, have served as Delegates to the House. All of the
Democrats have been elected in the 20th and 21st centuries. Twenty-two African American
Republicans served in the 19th century House, five in the 20th century (four in the House and one
in the Senate), and one was reelected to a single term in the 21st century before retiring.
Historical Overview of African Americans in Congress
Excluding delegates, African Americans currently hold 39 (8.9%) seats in the House of
Representatives and one (1%) seat in the Senate. African Americans hold 40 (7.57%) of the 535
voting seats in the 111th Congress. Including delegates, African Americans currently hold 42 seats
in the House of Representatives totaling 43 (9.9%) in the entire Congress.
1 Includes three Delegates from the U.S. Virgin Islands and two from the District of Columbia. For 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 .
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Figure 1. Trends in the Number of African Americans in Congress, 41st Congress
(1870-1871) to Present
45
40
)
te
na
e 35
nd S
a
e 30
ous
H
(
s 25
n
a
ric
e
20
n Am
a
ric 15
Af
r of
e
b 10
Num
5
0
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
Congress
Source: Black Americans in Congress, 1870-2007 (Washington: GPO, 2008), http://baic.house.gov, supplemented
by CRS.
Note: Delegates are not included in the data.
As Figure 1 shows, the number of African Americans serving in Congress stayed below 10 until
the 91st Congress (1969-1971), when those in the House doubled, growing from five to 10 in one
Congress. The number of African-American Senators remained at 1. Subsequently, the number of
African American Members steadily increased. In the 98th Congress (1983-1985), the number
surpassed 20 for the first time and in the 103rd Congress (1993-1995) reached 40. Since the 106th
Congress (1999-2001), the number has remained between 39 and 43 at any one time.
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
Figure 2. African Americans as a % of
Figure 3. African Americans in the 111th
Total Members of Congress
(2009-2011) Congress
1.0%
7.5%
Non-African
Non-African
American
American
African
African
American
American
99.0%
92.5%
Source: Black Americans in Congress, 1870-2007 (Washington: GPO, 2008), http://baic.house.gov, supplemented
by CRS. Figures compiled by CRS.
Note: Delegates are not included in the data.
African Americans did not serve in Congress until the 41st Congress (1869-1871) when two were
elected to the House and a third, Hiram Rhodes Revels (R-MS), was elected to the Senate by the
Mississippi state legislature.2 This was during the Reconstruction period following the Civil War
(1865-1877). Of particular significance is the fact that “all of the 17 African-American Members
between 1870 and 1887 came from the new Reconstruction governments in the former
Confederacy.”3 No African Americans served in Congress from the 57th Congress (1901-1903)
until the 71st Congress (1929-1931), when one Member was elected to the House. This was in
part because (1) the congressional focus on racial equality had faded; (2) the slow disintegration
of the Republican-dominated Reconstruction governments had a detrimental effect on the rights
of black voters, and those seeking political office were vulnerable to Democratic state
governments controlled by former Confederates and their sympathizers; (3) a variety of
impediments such as the poll tax and educational tests prevented African Americans from voting;
and (4) some state legislatures attempted to gerrymander congressional districts to restrict the
election of African Americans.4
Despite increases in the number of African Americans serving in Congress, especially since the
91st Congress (1969-1971), Figure 2 shows that 1% of Members in the United States history have
been African Americans. Figure 3 shows the current composition of the 111th Congress with
7.5% voting African American Members.
2 This was prior to the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution in 1913 that provided for the
direct election of Senators.
3U .S. Congress, House, Office of History and Preservation, Black Americans in Congress, 1870-2007 (Washington:
GPO, 2008), p. 22; and http://baic.house.gov.
4 Ibid., pp. 152-159.
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African American Firsts in Congress
The first African American Member of Congress was Hiram Rhodes Revels (R-MS), who served
in the Senate in the 41st Congress (1870-1871). 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 take the
seat previously held by Albert G. Brown, who withdrew from the Senate on January 12, 1861,
after Mississippi seceded from the Union. Senator Blanche K. Bruce (R-MS, 1875-1881) was the
first African American Senator to serve a full Senate term of six years.
Joseph H. Rainey (R-SC, 1869-1878) was the first African American Member of the House of
Representatives, beginning service, like Senator Revels, in the 41st Congress. Shirley Chisholm
(D-NY), elected to the 91st through 97th Congresses (1969-1983), was the first African American
woman to serve in Congress. Edward Brooke (R-MA) was the first African American 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).
Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL, 1993-1999) is the only African American woman, as well as the first
African American Democrat, to serve in the Senate. President Barack Obama was the first African
American male Democrat to serve in the Senate. He served as a Senator from Illinois from 2005
until his resignation on November 16, 2008, after he was elected President of the United States.
Senator Roland Burris (D-IL, 2009-present), who was appointed to the seat vacated by President
Obama, is the first African American appointed to the Senate. Representative Walter Fauntroy (D-
DC, 1971-1991) was the first African American delegate to serve in Congress.
Representative Charles Diggs (D-MI, 1955-1980) was the first chair of the Congressional Black
Caucus.
As chair of the Senate Select Committee to Investigate Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company
(46th Congress), Blanche K. Bruce (R-MS) was the first African American to chair a
congressional committee. As chair of the House Committee on Expenditures in the Executive
Departments (81st Congress), William L. Dawson (D-IL, 1943-1970) was the first African
American to chair a House committee.
Length of Service
John Conyers Jr. (D-MI), the current chair of the House Judiciary Committee, has served longer
than any other African American Member of Congress. Representative Conyers has served since
1965. Edward Brooke (R-MA, 1967-1979) holds the record for Senate service by an African
American.
How African Americans Enter Congress
Article I, Section 2 of the United States Constitution requires that all Members of the House of
Representatives must be “chosen every second Year by the People of the several States.”
Therefore, all Representatives enter office through election, even those who enter after a seat
becomes open during a Congress. By contrast, the Seventeenth Amendment gives state
legislatures the option to empower governors to fill Senate vacancies by temporary appointment.
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All 119 of the African Americans who have served in the House have been elected, as well as all
but one of the six African American Senators. The lone exception is Senator Roland Burris (D-IL,
2009-present).
African American Members in Leadership Positions
Representative James E. Clyburn (D-SC, 1993-present), the House majority whip in the 110th-
111th Congresses, 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 (1997-2003).
Representative John Lewis (D-GA, 1987-present), the senior chief deputy whip in the 110th-111th
Congresses served as a Democratic chief deputy whip in the 102nd-109th Congresses (1991-2007).
Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA, 1991-present) has served as a Democratic chief deputy
whip since the 106th Congress, and Representative G.K. Butterfield (D-NC, 2004-present) has
served as a Democratic chief deputy whip since the 110th Congress. Former Representative
Shirley Chisholm (D-NY, 1969-1983) served as secretary to the Democratic Caucus in the 96th
Congress (1977-1979).
Nineteen African American Representatives and one Senator have chaired congressional
committees, including four in the House in the 111th Congress and a record five in the 110th
Congress. Currently serving as chairs in the 111th Congress are Representatives John Conyers Jr.
(D-MI), chair of House Judiciary Committee; Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), chair of the House
Ways and Means Committee; Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), chair of the House Homeland
Security Committee, and Edolphus Towns (D-NY), chair of the House Oversight and
Government Reform 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).
Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) traces its origins to the start of the 91st Congress in
January 1969 when Representative Charles Diggs (MI) brought together the other African
American Members of the House to form the Democratic Select Committee.5 As the Select
5 James Stuart Olson, “Congressional Black Caucus,” in Historical Dictionary of the 1970s, ed. James Stuart Olson
(continued...)
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Committee expanded its legislative goals and activities during 1970, it reorganized into a more
formal organization, the Congressional Black Caucus, with 13 members at the start of the 92nd
Congress in 1971. The CBC became only the fifth Member organization to exist in Congress.6
Currently, there are 42 members of the Congressional Black Caucus, comprising all the African
American Members of Congress. It is chaired by Representative Barbara Lee (CA).7
Three main factors contributed to the founding of the CBC: greater African American
participation in electoral politics following passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, a perceived
African American leadership vacuum due to the deaths or marginalization of many civil rights
leaders in the late 1960s, and perceived inattention to issues of concern to African Americans by
the Nixon Administration.8 Although the number of African American legislators increased during
the 1968 and 1970 congressional elections, the African American community was still
proportionally underrepresented in Congress. According to the CBC, its founding members
“believed that a black caucus in Congress, speaking with a single voice, would provide political
influence and visibility far beyond their numbers.”9
In addition to serving as a voice for the African American community, the Congressional Black
Caucus has also addressed issues of concern to the poor and other underrepresented minority
groups, both in the United States and abroad. This broader scope is reflected in the original
mission of the CBC: “to promote the public welfare through legislation designed to meet the
needs of millions of neglected citizens.”10 In domestic policy, the CBC has supported efforts to
improve access and quality of education and health care, reduce unemployment, protect voting
rights, and provide better housing and childcare for the poor and working class. In foreign policy,
the CBC generally supports international human rights and focuses on issues where current U.S.
policy may conflict with professed American values of liberty and equality.11 This was shown in
the CBC stance against apartheid in South Africa, its push for humanitarian aid and refugee
assistance for Haiti, and the continual efforts of some CBC members to urge Congress to consider
the concerns of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).12
At times, the CBC plays an oppositional role, both within Congress and the established party
structure. One scholar has argued that within Congress, the CBC serves “not only as an interest
(...continued)
(Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood Publishing Group, 1999), p. 103; and Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.,
“Origins and the History of the Congressional Black Caucus,” at http://www.cbcfinc.org/cbc/html.
6 CRS Report R40683, Congressional Member Organizations: Their Purpose and Activities, History, and Formation,
by Robert Jay Dilger.
7 For more information about the current CBC members, see Congressional Black Caucus, “Member Info,” at
http://thecongressionalblackcaucus.lee.house.gov/member_info.html.
8 Carol M. Swain, Black Faces, Black Interests: The Representation of African Americans in Congress (Lanham, MD:
University Press of America, 2006), p. 37; and Charles E. Jones, “An Overview of the Congressional Black Caucus,” in
Readings in American Political Issues, ed. Franklin D. Jones, et al., (Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company,
1987), p. 233.
9 Congressional Black Caucus, “History & Agenda,” at http://thecongressionalblackcaucus.lee.house.gov/
history_details.html.
10 Ibid.
11 Raymond W. Copson, The Congressional Black Caucus and Foreign Policy (New York: Novinka Books, 2003), pp.
14-15.
12 Swain, Black Faces, Black Interests: The Representation of African Americans in Congress, pp. 11-12.
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group for blacks but also as a labor union for its members.”13 In 1974, for example, House
leadership agreed to put one black Member on each major committee at the urging of the CBC.14
The CBC also often issues declarations of its policy agenda, distinct from either party’s agenda.
This was reflected by some of the earliest caucus efforts, beginning with a February 1970 letter to
President Richard Nixon addressing issues facing black and impoverished Americans and the
presentation of 61 policy recommendations to the President concerning domestic and foreign
policy matters at a meeting on March 25, 1971.15 Another example is the CBC alternative federal
budget, which has been presented to Congress annually since 1981.16
The caucus also plays a symbolic role for the African American community. Some scholars have
argued that the caucus is more effective as a social and community organization than it is a
political or legislative institution.17 As Members of the House and Senate, CBC members held the
highest national elected office positions of any African Americans until the 2008 presidential
election of former CBC member Barack Obama. The CBC Foundation (CBCF) sponsors a
number of leadership development programs, internships, fellowships, and scholarships to
encourage the next generation of African American leaders.18 In Congress, CBC members
regularly celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans and minorities, by introducing
resolutions to commemorate African American and minority leaders as well as civil rights
activists.19
Three noteworthy legislative initiatives championed by the CBC include the establishment of
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, sanctions on South Africa to pressure an end to apartheid, and
humanitarian assistance to Haiti.20 The subsequent section describes the CBC’s role in these
legislative endeavors.
13 Robert Singh, The Congressional Black Caucus: Racial Politics in the U.S. Congress (Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE
Publications, 1998), p. xii.
14 Swain, Black Faces, Black Interests: The Representation of African Americans in Congress, p. 40.
15 Marguerite Ross Barnett, “The Congressional Black Caucus,” Proceedings of the Academy of Political Science, vol.
32, no. 1 (1975), p. 35.
16 Copson, The Congressional Black Caucus and Foreign Policy, pp. 12-13; For information on recent CBC alternative
budgets, see Office of Representative Bobby Scott, “Congressional Black Caucus to Introduce Budget Substitute that is
Fiscally and Morally Responsible,” press release, March 2008, at http://www.bobbyscott.house.gov/index.php?option=
com_content&task=view&id=101&Itemid=62.
17 Arthur B. Levy and Susan Stoudinger, “Sources of Voting Cues for the Congressional Black Caucus,” Journal of
Black Studies vol. 7 (1976), pp. 29-46.
18 Members of the CBC established the non-profit and non-partisan Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.
(CBCF) in 1976 to “advance the global black community by developing leaders, informing policy and educating the
public.” In addition to leadership development programs, the CBCF conducts policy research on economic
development, public health, and other pertinent issues for the black community. As a part of its public education goals,
the CBCF also holds seminars on these topics, and launched an online archive (Avoice Online) to document the history
of African Americans in Congress and the history of the CBC. See Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.,
“About CBCF,” at http://www.cbcfinc.org/about-cbcf.html.
19 Swain, Black Faces, Black Interests: The Representation of African Americans in Congress, p. 17.
20 Sources detailing CBC involvement with the Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Bill, include Avoice Online, “The
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Bill,” at http://www.avoiceonline.org/mlk/timeline.html; Jones, “An Overview of the
Congressional Black Caucus,” p. 236; and Singh, The Congressional Black Caucus: Racial Politics in the U.S.
Congress, pp. 95-96. For CBC efforts to end apartheid in South Africa, see Avoice Online, “Anti-Apartheid,” at
http://www.avoiceonline.org/aam/; Copson, The Congressional Black Caucus and Foreign Policy, pp. 11-14, pp. 26-
30; and Swain, Black Faces, Black Interests: The Representation of African Americans in Congress, p. 12. Sources
detailing CBC involvement with humanitarian aid and other policies regarding Haiti include Copson, The
Congressional Black Caucus and Foreign Policy, pp. 37-40; Singh, The Congressional Black Caucus: Racial Politics
(continued...)
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day
The bill to establish a federal holiday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was signed into law by
President Ronald Reagan on November 3, 1983.21 Representative John Conyers (MI) introduced
the first Martin Luther King Jr. holiday bill on April 8, 1968, four days after King’s assassination.
After its founding in 1971, the CBC became a strong advocate for a Martin Luther King Jr.
holiday, frequently participating in demonstrations, orchestrating petition drives, and introducing
legislation. In 1971, Congress received a petition signed by 6 million Americans in support of the
King holiday, and Representative Conyers and Representative Shirley Chisholm (NY), another
CBC member, reintroduced King holiday legislation during every subsequent session of Congress
until the holiday became law. On January 15, 1981, musician Stevie Wonder, with the support of
the CBC, sponsored a march, rally, and benefit concert in Washington, DC, to celebrate what
would have been King’s 52nd birthday and to raise awareness about the King holiday legislation.22
On August 27, 1983, more than 200,000 people gathered for a civil rights march at the Lincoln
Memorial to commemorate the 20th anniversary of King’s march on Washington.23 The attention
to King’s legacy, coupled with political protests and the spread of local and state King holiday
legislation, made 1983 an opportune time for enactment of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
The successful 1983 legislation was introduced by CBC member Representative Katie Hall on
July 29, passing the House by a vote of 338-90 on August 2 and the Senate by a vote of 78-22 on
October 19, and was signed into law on November 2.24
Ending Apartheid in South Africa
The CBC began to address apartheid during the 1970s because it felt that the executive branch
had not made ending discrimination in South Africa a priority.25 Between 1972 and 1986,
members of the CBC introduced more than 15 bills seeking to end apartheid and racial
discrimination practices in South Africa. As a result of the CBC’s Black Leadership Conference,
the CBC helped establish TransAfrica in 1976, a foreign policy advocacy group designed to raise
awareness about African and Caribbean issues. Besides endorsing legislative sanctions,
TransAfrica and the CBC also lobbied corporations and universities to divest from South Africa.
Through hearings, rallies, and protests in their home districts and in Washington, DC, CBC
members increased attention on apartheid in South Africa.26
(...continued)
in the U.S. Congress,pp. 188-189; and Swain, Black Faces, Black Interests: The Representation of African Americans
in Congress, pp. 236-237.
21 P.L. 98-144, 97 Stat. 917 (Nov. 3, 1983).
22 Avoice Online, “The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Bill,” http://www.avoiceonline.org/mlk/timeline.html.
23 John Herbers, “1983 March: Left Revives,” New York Times, August 29, 1983, at http://www.factiva.com.
24 Congressional Black Caucus, “1983 Legislative Achievements,” at http://www.avoiceonline.org/assets/txu-gwc-84-
98-f8-01/txu-gwc-84-98-f8-01.pdf; Avoice Online, “Origins of the CBC,” at http://www.avoiceonline.org/cbc/
history.html; and Swain, Black Faces, Black Interests: The Representation of African Americans in Congress, p. 132.
25 Copson, The Congressional Black Caucus and Foreign Policy, p. 27.
26 For more information about the CBC and the formation of Transafrica, see Avoice Online, “Origins of the CBC,” at
http://www.avoiceonline.org/cbc/history.html; and TransAfrica Forum, “Our History,” at
http://www.transafricaforum.org/about-us/our-history. For more information regarding CBC opposition to South
African apartheid, see Avoice Online, “Anti-Apartheid,” at http://www.avoiceonline.org/aam/.
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During the 1980s, public awareness and concern about apartheid grew as violence increased in
South Africa. By the mid-1980s, the need to address apartheid in South Africa became more
pressing and politically feasible. The Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act (H.R. 4868), introduced
by a CBC member, Representative William H. Gray (PA),27 included sanctions against South
Africa that would not be eased until certain conditions, like the release of political prisoners, were
met. The original sanctions in the bill included banning new investments in or loans to South
Africa, prohibiting imports of uranium, steel, and coal imports, and removing airport landing
rights for South African Airways. An amendment by another CBC member, Representative
Ronald Dellums (CA), strengthened the sanctions to include a full trade embargo and complete
divestment from South Africa.28 The bill was vetoed by President Ronald Reagan on September
26, 1986,29 but was overridden by a House vote of 313 to 83 on September 29, 1986, and by a
Senate vote of 78 to 21 on October 2, 1986.30
Humanitarian Aid to Haiti
In 1976, Representative Shirley Chisholm (NY) and Delegate Walter Fauntroy (DC) formed the
Congressional Black Caucus Task Force on Haitian Refugees to pursue humane treatment and
equal justice for refugees from Haiti entering the United States. The name of the caucus was
changed to the Congressional Task Force on Haiti in 1981 as it adopted broader policy objectives
regarding Haiti and also included members outside of the CBC.31
By 1985, it was clear that the 30-year dictatorial regime of Francois Duvalier and his son Jean-
Claude Duvalier was nearing its end. In 1986, the U.S. Embassy, working with the Roman
Catholic Church and Haitian army, deposed President Jean-Claude Duvalier peacefully, and Haiti
scheduled its first free election for November 29, 1987.32 In response to the efforts of the
Congressional Task Force on Haiti, American aid to Haiti doubled from $50 million in 1986 to
$101 million in 1987, despite tight fiscal conditions.33
CBC activism for Haiti continued during the late 1980s and 1990s, as a series of military coups
led to a difficult post-Duvalier transition period. After Haiti’s first democratic presidential
election in December 1990, President Bertrand Aristide was overthrown in September 1991, eight
months after taking office. Many in the CBC believed the only remedy for the escalating refugee
crisis was to restore Aristide to office. Beginning in October 1993, the CBC asked President Bill
Clinton to impose the strongest military sanctions available against Haiti or to conduct a military
intervention. A letter sent to President Clinton on March 18, 1994, by the CBC and signed by all
its members, stated that “The United States Haiti policy must be scrapped.” The CBC supported
the U.S.- and U.N.-imposed sanctions on Haiti during May and June 1994, with some members
27 P.L. 99-440, 100 Stat. 1086 (Oct. 2, 1986).
28 Copson, The Congressional Black Caucus and Foreign Policy, pp. 26-30.
29 Pres. Ronald Reagan, “Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 – Veto Message from the President of the United States,” read in
the House, Congressional Record, vol. 132, part 19 (September 29, 1986), pp. 27076-27077.
30 “Roll Call 425,” Congressional Record, vol. 132, part 19 (September 29, 1986), p. 27101; and “Roll Call 311,”
Congressional Record, vol. 132, part 19 (October 2, 1986), p. 27859.
31 Copson, The Congressional Black Caucus and Foreign Policy, p. 13.
32 Walter E. Fauntroy, “Haiti Doesn’t Need a Tarzan to Come Rescue It,” letter to the editor, New York Times,
September 16, 1987.
33 David Binder, “Washington Talk: Foreign Affairs; Haitians Gain Influential Following in America,” New York
Times, September 23, 1987, p. A26.
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advocating for even stronger sanctions. An envoy sent to Haiti on September 18, 1994, by
President Clinton convinced Haiti’s military rulers to resign and to allow U.S. peacekeeping
troops to enter the country and restore Aristide to the presidency.34
Concerned about the cost of the Haiti mission and the lack of a troop withdrawal date,
Representative Gary Franks (CT), the only Republican member of the CBC, publicly opposed the
Clinton Administration’s policy and blamed the CBC for the President’s decision, stating that a
“majority of the Congressional Black Caucus wanted the United States to invade Haiti, and
President Clinton caved in.” Others argue that Clinton and the CBC simply shared the same
position and that the refugee situation constituted a vital American interest.35
Tables and Data
This section of the report provides tabular information on African American Members of
Congress, including the Congresses in which they served, the committees, on which they served,
and an indication of the committees they chaired or co-chaired. In addition, five tables summarize
information about African American Members.
Table 1 presents the number and names of African American Members by Congress. Table 2
presents the same information by state. Table 3 shows the changing number of African American
Members serving in Congress since 1870, when the first 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 111th Congress committee assignments, the sources are The Senate of the United States,
Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Eleventh Congress, prepared
under the direction of Nancy Erickson, secretary of the Senate, June 3, 2009 (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
Eleventh Congress, compiled by Lorraine C. Miller, clerk of the House of Representatives,
August 26, 2009 (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 several 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.
34 Copson, The Congressional Black Caucus and Foreign Policy, pp. 38-39.
35 Rep. Richard Gephardt et al., “Commending the President and the Special Delegation to Haiti, and Supporting the
United States Armed Forces in Haiti,” remarks in the House, Congressional Record, vol. 140, part 18 (September 19,
1994), pp. 24755-24768.
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Alphabetical Listing of African American Members,
Selected Biographical Information, and Committee
Assignments During Their Tenure in Office
BALLANCE, FRANK W. Jr., a Representative from North Carolina. Born on February 15, 1942.
Elected as a Democrat to the 108th Congress; served from January 7, 2003, until his resignation
June 11, 2004.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Agriculture
108th
H. Smal Business
108th
BISHOP, SANFORD D. Jr., a Representative from Georgia. Born on February 4, 1947. Elected as
a Democrat to the 103rd through 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th 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-111th
BLACKWELL, LUCIEN E., a Representative from Pennsylvania. Born on August 1, 1931; died
on January 24, 2003. 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.
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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 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th Congress; has served since
January 5, 1993.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Government Operations
103rd
H. Public Works and Transportation
103rd
H. Veterans’ Affairs
103rd-111th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
104th-111th
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.
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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)
BURRIS, ROLAND, a Senator from Illinois. Born on August 3, 1937. Appointed as a Democrat
to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of President Barack Obama; appointed on December
31, 2008, to the 110th Congress, but not seated until January 15, 2009, in the 111th Congress.
Served from January 15, 2009, to present.
Committee Assignments
Congress
S. Armed Services
111th
S. Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
111th
S. Veteran’s Affairs
111th
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-111th Congresses, has served since July 21, 2004; a chief
deputy Democratic whip in the 110th and 111th Congresses.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Smal Business
108th
H. Agriculture
108th-109th
H. Armed Services
109th
H. Energy and Commerce
110th-111th
H. Standards of Official Conduct
111th
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
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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; reelected to the 111th Congress; has served since March 13, 2008.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Financial Services
110th-111th
CARSON, JULIA M., a Representative from Indiana. Born on July 8, 1938; died on December
15, 2007. Elected as a Democrat to the 105th through 110th Congresses; served from January 9,
1997, to December 15, 2007.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services
105th-106th
H. Financial Services
107th-110th
H. Veterans’ Affairs
105th-107th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
108th-110th
CHEATHAM, HENRY P., a Representative from North Carolina. Born on December 27, 1857;
died on November 29, 1935. Elected as a Republican to the 51st and 52nd Congresses; served from
March 4, 1889, to March 3, 1893.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Expenditures on Public Buildings
51st-52nd
H. Education
51st-52nd
H. Agriculture
52nd
CHISHOLM, SHIRLEY A., a Representative from New York. Born on November 30, 1924; died
on January 1, 2005. Elected as a Democrat to the 91st through 97th Congresses; served from
January 3, 1969, to January 3, 1983. First African American woman elected to Congress and first
African American female presidential candidate, 1972. Secretary of the Democratic Caucus in the
96th Congress, 1977-1979.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Veterans’ Affairs
91st-92nd
H. Education and Labor
92nd-94th
H. Rules
95th-97th
CHRISTENSEN, DONNA M., a Delegate from the Virgin Islands. Born on September 19, 1945.
Elected as a Democrat to the 105th Congress through 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th
Congress; has served since January 7, 1997. First woman elected from the Virgin Islands and first
female doctor in Congress.
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Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Resources
105th-109th
H. Natural Resources
110th-111th
H. Smal Business
106th-109th
H. Homeland Security
108th-110th
H. Energy and Commerce
111th
CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSEN, DONNA and CHRISTIAN-GREEN, DONNA. See
CHRISTENSEN, DONNA.
CLARKE, YVETTE D., a Representative from New York. Born on November 21, 1964. Elected
as a Democrat to the 110th Congress; reelected to the 111th Congress; has served since January 4,
2007.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education and Labor
110th-111th
H. Homeland Security
110th-111th
H. Small Business
110th-111th
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-110th
Congresses; reelected to the 111th Congress; has served since January 3, 2001.
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Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Financial Services
107th-111th
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. Smal Business
103rd
H. Budget
105th-107th
CLEAVER, EMANUEL II, a Representative from Missouri. Born on October 26, 1944. Elected
as Democrat to the 109th Congress; reelected to the 110th and 111th Congresses; has served since
January 4, 2005.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Financial Services
109th-111th
H. Energy Independence and Global Warming
110th-111th
H. Homeland Security
111th
CLYBURN, JAMES E., a Representative from South Carolina. Born on July 21, 1940. Elected as
a Democrat to the 103rd through 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th 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
and 111th Congresses.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Public Works and Transportation
103rd
H. Veterans’ Affairs
103rd-105th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
104th-105th
H. Smal Business
104th
H. Appropriations
106th-109th
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COLLINS, BARBARA-ROSE, a Representative from Michigan. Born on April 13, 1939. Elected
as a Democrat to the 102nd through 104th Congresses; served from January 3, 1991, to January 3,
1997.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Public Works and Transportation
102nd-103rd
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
104th
H. Government Operations
103rd
H. Government Reform and Oversight
104th
H. Post Office and Civil Service
102nd-103rd
H. Science, Space, and Technology
102nd
H. Select Children, Youth, and Families
102nd
COLLINS, CARDISS, a Representative from Illinois. Born on September 24, 1931. Elected as a
Democrat to the 93rd through 104th Congresses; served from June 7, 1973, to January 3, 1997.
First elected to succeed her husband, Representative George Collins. Chair of the Congressional
Black Caucus 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 in an airplane crash. 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
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CONYERS, JOHN Jr., a Representative from Michigan. Born on May 16, 1929. Elected as a
Democrat to the 89th through 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th Congress; has served since
January 3, 1965.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Judiciary
89th-111th
(committee chair, 110th-111th )
H. Government Operations
92nd-103rd
(committee chair, 101st-103rd)
H. Smal Business
100th-103rd
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. Smal 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 111th 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-111th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
110th-111th
H. Armed Services
110th
DAVIS, ARTUR, a Representative from Alabama. Born on October 9, 1967. Elected as a
Democrat to the 108th through 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th Congress; has served since
January 7, 2003.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Budget
108th-109th
H. Financial Services
108th- 109th
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Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Judiciary
110th
H. Ways and Means
110th-111th
DAVIS, DANNY K., a Representative from Illinois. Born on September 6, 1941. Elected as a
Democrat to the 105th through 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th Congress; has served since
January 7, 1997.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Smal Business
105th-109th
H. Government Reform and Oversight
105th
H. Government Reform
106th-109th
H. Oversight and Government Reform
110th-111th
H. Education and the Workforce
108th-109th
H. Education and Labor
110th
H. Ways and Means
111th
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.
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Committee Assignment
Congress
H. Manufactures
42nd
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. Elected mayor of Oakland in 2006.
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
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Committee Assignments
Congress
(committee chair, 93rd-95th)
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;
reelected to the 111th Congress; has served since June 19, 2008.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Science and Technology
110th-111th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
110t h -111th
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
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Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Militia
43rd
ELLISON, KEITH, a Representative from Minnesota. Born on August 4, 1963. Elected as a
Democrat to the 110th Congress; reelected to the 111th Congress; has served since January 4,
2007. First African American Member of Congress from Minnesota. First Muslim Member of
Congress.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Financial Services
110th-111th
H. Judiciary
110th
H. Foreign Affairs
111th
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 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th 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. Smal Business
104th
H. Standards of Official Conduct
105th-106th
H. Administration
106th-107th
Jt. Printing
106th-107th
H. Appropriations
107th-111th
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. Smal 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. Smal 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
Congressional Research Service
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
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. Smal 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 also 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
H. Education and Labor
111th
H. Science and Technology
111th
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
Congressional Research Service
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
GREEN, AL, a Representative from Texas. Born on September 1, 1947. Elected as a Democrat to
the 109th and 110th Congress; reelected to the 111th Congress; has served since January 4, 2005.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Financial Services
109th-111th
H. Science
109th
H. Homeland Security
110th-111th
H. Foreign Affairs
111th
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 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th 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-111th
H. Rules
107th-111th
H. Standards of Official Conduct
110th
Congressional Research Service
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
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. Smal 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. Smal Business
103rd-104th
H. International Relations
105th-107th
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
HYMAN, JOHN ADAMS, a Representative from North Carolina. Born on July 23, 1840; died on
September 14, 1891. Elected as a Republican to the 44th Congress; served from March 4, 1875, to
March 3, 1877. First African American Member of Congress from North Carolina.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Manufactures
44th
JACKSON, JESSE L. Jr., a Representative from Illinois. Born on March 11, 1965. Elected as a
Democrat to the 104th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative
Melvin Reynolds; reelected to the 105th through 111th Congresses; has served since December 14,
1995.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services
104th-105th
H. Smal Business
105th
H. Appropriations
106th-111th
JACKSON LEE, SHEILA, a Representative from Texas. Born on January 12, 1950. Elected as a
Democrat to the 104th through 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th Congress; has served since
January 3, 1995.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Judiciary
104th-111th
H. Science
104th-109th
H. Homeland Security
108th-111th
H. Foreign Affairs
110th-111th
JEFFERSON, WILLIAM J., a Representative from Louisiana. Born on March 14, 1947. Elected
as a Democrat to the 102nd through 110th Congresses; served from January 3, 1991 to January 3,
2009.
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
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Committee Assignments
Congress
Jt. Printing
104th
JOHNSON, EDDIE BERNICE, a Representative from Texas. Born on December 3, 1935.
Elected as a Democrat to the 103rd through 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th 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-111th
H. Science, Space, and Technology
103rd
H. Science
104th-109th
H. Science and Technology
110th-111th
JOHNSON, HENRY C. (HANK) Jr., a Representative from Georgia. Born on October 2, 1954.
Elected as a Democrat to the 110th Congress; reelected to the 111th Congress; has served since
January 4, 2007.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Armed Services
110th-111th
H. Judiciary
110th-111th
H. Smal 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. Smal 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.
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Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Judiciary
93rd-95th
H. Government Operations
94th-95th
KILPATRICK, CAROLYN CHEEKS, a Representative from Michigan. Born on June 25, 1945.
Elected as a Democrat to the 105th through 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th 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-111th
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 111th Congresses; has served since April 20, 1998.
Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 111th Congress.
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 -111th
H. Foreign Affairs
111th
Congressional Research Service
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
LELAND, GEORGE T. (MICKEY), a Representative from Texas. Born on November 27, 1944;
died in a airplane crash on August 7, 1989, while touring Ethiopian refugee camps. Elected as a
Democrat to the 96th through 101st Congresses; served from January 3, 1979, to August 7, 1989.
Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 99th Congress.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. District of Columbia
96th-99th
H. Interstate and Foreign Commerce
96th-101st
H. Post Office and Civil Service
96th-101st
H. Select Hunger
98th-101st
(committee chair, 98th-101st)
H. Select Children, Youth, and Families
98th
LEWIS, JOHN R., a Representative from Georgia. Born on February 19, 1940. Elected as a
Democrat to the 100th through 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th 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 and 111th Congresses.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Public Works and Transportation
100th-102nd
H. Interior and Insular Affairs
100th-102nd
H. Select Aging
101st-102nd
H. District of Columbia
103rd
H. Ways and Means
103rd-111th
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 —
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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. Smal Business
108th
McKINNEY, CYNTHIA A., a Representative from Georgia. Born on March 17, 1955. Elected as
a Democrat to the 103rd through 107th Congresses; served from January 5, 1993, to January 3,
2003; elected to the 109th Congress; served from January 4, 2005, to January 3, 2007.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Agriculture
103rd
H. Foreign Affairs
103rd
H. International Relations
104th-107th
H. Banking and Financial Services
104th-105th
H. National Security
105th
H. Armed Services
106th-107th, 109th
H. Budget
109th
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
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MEEK, KENDRICK, a Representative from Florida. Born on September 6, 1966. Elected to the
108th through 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th 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-111th
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 111th Congresses; has served since February 5, 1998.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services
105th-106th
H. Financial Services
107th-111th
H. International Relations
106th-109th
H. Foreign Affairs
110th-111th
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. Smal Business
100th-104th
H. Education and Labor
101st
H. Select Narcotics Abuse and Control
101st-102nd
Jt. Economic
102nd-104th
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Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Standards of Official Conduct
103rd
H. Select Hunger
100th
MILLENDER-McDONALD, JUANITA, a Representative from California. Born on September 7,
1938; died on April 22, 2007. Elected as a Democrat to 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. Smal 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. Smal 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 a
Democrat to the 109th and 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th Congress; has served since
January 4, 2005. First African American Member of Congress from Wisconsin.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Financial Services
109th-111th
H. Small Business
109th-110th
H. Budget
110th-111th
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. Smal Business
103rd
S. Finance
104th-105th
S. Special Aging
104th-105th
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
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 Department
54th
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
NORTON, ELEANOR HOLMES, a Delegate from the District of Columbia. Born on June 13,
1937. Elected as a Democrat to the 102nd through 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th
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-111th
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Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Government Reform and Oversight
104th-105th
H. Government Reform
106th-109th
H. Oversight and Government Reform
110th-111th
H. Smal Business
104th
Jt. Committee on the Organization of Congress
102nd-103rd
H. Homeland Security
108th-111th
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, 2008, 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 Affairs
110th
O’HARA, JAMES E., a Representative from North Carolina. Born on February 26, 1844; died on
September 15, 1905. Elected as a Republican to the 48th and 49th Congresses; served from March
4, 1883, to March 3, 1887.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Mines and Mining
48th
H. Expenditures on Public Buildings
49th
H. Invalid Pensions
49th
OWENS, MAJOR R., a Representative from New York. Born on June 28, 1936. Elected as a
Democrat to the 98th through 110th Congresses; served from January 3, 1983, to January 3, 2007.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education and Labor
98th-103rd
H. Economic and Educational Opportunities
104th
H. Education and the Workforce
105th-109th
H. Government Operations
98th-103rd
H. Government Reform and Oversight
104th-105th
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Committee Assignments
Congress
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 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th 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, 111th
H. Economic and Educational Opportunities
104th
H. Education and the Workforce
105th-109th
H. Foreign Affairs
101st-103rd, 111th
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
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
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Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Indian Affairs
43rd
H. Invalid Pensions
44th-45th
H. Select Celebration of Proposed National Census of 1875
43rd
RANGEL, CHARLES B., a Representative from New York. Born on June 11, 1930. Elected as a
Democrat to the 92nd through 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th 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-111th
(committee chair, 110th and 111th Congresses)
H. Select Crime
92nd-93rd
H. Select Narcotics Abuse and Control
94th-102nd
(committee chair, 98th-102nd)
Jt. Taxation
104th-105th , 111th
RANSIER, ALONZO J., a Representative from South Carolina. Born on January 3, 1834; died on
August 17, 1882. Elected as a Republican to the 43rd Congress; served from March 3, 1873, to
March 3, 1875.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Manufactures
43rd
RAPIER, JAMES T., a Representative from Alabama. Born on November 13, 1837; died on May
31, 1883. Elected as a Republican to the 43rd Congress; served from March 4, 1873, to March 3,
1875.
Committee Assignment
Congress
H. Education and Labor
43rd
REVELS, HIRAM RHODES, a Senator from Mississippi. Born on September 27, 1827; died on
January 16, 1901. Elected as a Republican to the 41st Congress after Mississippi was readmitted
to the union, and served from February 25, 1870, to March 3, 1871. First African American
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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 Opportunities
104th
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; reelected to the 111th Congress; has served since September 4, 2007.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Science and Technology
110th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
110th-111th
H. Homeland Security
111th
RUSH, BOBBY L., a Representative from Illinois. Born on November 23, 1946. Elected as a
Democrat to the 103rd through 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th 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-111th
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
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Public Works and Transportation
97th-102nd
H. Smal Business
97th-102nd
SCOTT, DAVID, a Representative from Georgia. Born on June 27, 1946. Elected as a Democrat
to the 108th-110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th Congress; has served since January 7, 2003.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Agriculture
108th-111th
H. Financial Services
108th-111th
H. Foreign Affairs
111th
H. Standards of Official Conduct
110th
SCOTT, ROBERT C., a Representative from Virginia. Born on April 30, 1947. Elected as a
Democrat to the 103rd through 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th Congress; has served since
January 5, 1993.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Education and Labor
103rd, 110th-111th
H. Economic and Educational Opportunities
104th
H. Education and the Workforce
105th-107th, 109th
H. Judiciary
103rd-111th
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-111th
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
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
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
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 Transactions to Iran
100th
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 111th
Congresses; has served since April 20, 1993.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Agriculture
103rd-108th
H. Merchant Marine and Fisheries
103rd
H. Smal Business
103rd-104th
H. Budget
105th-107th
H. Homeland Security
108th-111th
(committee chair, 110th and 111th Congresses)
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
TOWNS, EDOLPHUS, a Representative from New York. Born on July 21, 1934. Elected as a
Democrat to the 98th through 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th 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-111th
(committee chair, 111th Congress)
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. Smal 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. Smal Business
99th
Congressional Research Service
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
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 Abuse and Control
102nd
WASHINGTON, HAROLD D., a Representative from Illinois. Born on April 15, 1922; died on
November 25, 1987. Elected as a Democrat to the 97th and 98th Congresses; served from January
3, 1981, to April 29, 1983, when he resigned to become mayor of Chicago.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Government Operations
97th
H. Education and Labor
97th-98th
H. Judiciary
97th-98th
WATERS, MAXINE, a Representative from California. Born on August 31, 1938. Elected as a
Democrat to the 102nd through 110th Congresses, reelected to the 111th Congress; has served since
January 3, 1991. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 105th Congress; vice chair of the
Democratic Steering Committee in the 105th through 108th Congresses; a Democratic chief deputy
whip in the 106th through 111th Congresses.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs
102nd-103rd
H. Banking and Financial Services
104th-106th
H. Financial Services
107th-111th
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Veterans Affairs
102nd-104th
H. Smal Business
103rd-104th
H. Judiciary
105th-111th
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-111th 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-111th
H. Government Reform
107th-109th
H. Oversight and Government Reform
110th-111th
WATT, MELVIN L., a Representative from North Carolina. Born on August 26, 1945. Elected as
a Democrat to the 103rd through 110th Congresses; reelected to the 111th 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-111th
H. Post Office and Civil Service
103rd
H. Judiciary
103rd-111th
Jt. Economic
107th-108th
WATTS, J.C. Jr., a Representative from Oklahoma. Born on November 18, 1957. Elected as a
Republican to the 104th through 107th Congresses; served from January 3, 1995, to January 3,
2003. First African American Member of Congress from Oklahoma. Chair of the House
Republican Conference in the 106th through 107th Congresses.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services
104th
H. National Security
104th-105th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
105th-106th
H. Armed Services
106th-107th
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
WHEAT, ALAN D., a Representative from Missouri. Born on October 16, 1951. Elected as a
Democrat to the 98th through 103rd Congresses; served from January 3, 1983, to January 3, 1995.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. District of Columbia
98th-103rd
H. Rules
98th-103rd
H. Select Children, Youth, and Families
98th-102nd
H. Select Hunger
101st-102nd
WHITE, GEORGE H., a Representative from North Carolina. Born on December 18, 1852; died
on December 28, 1918. Elected as a Republican to the 55th and 56th Congresses; served from
March 4, 1897, to March 3, 1901.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Agriculture
55th
H. District of Columbia
55th-56th
WYNN, ALBERT R., a Representative from Maryland. Born on September 10, 1951. Elected as
a Democrat to the 103rd through 110th Congresses; served from January 5, 1993, to May 31, 2008.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs
103rd
H. Banking and Financial Services
104th
H. Foreign Affairs
103rd
H. International Relations
104th
H. Post Office and Civil Service
103rd
H. Commerce
105th-106th
H. Energy and Commerce
107th-110th
YOUNG, ANDREW, a Representative from Georgia. Born on March 12, 1932. Elected as a
Democrat to the 93rd through 95th Congresses; served from January 3, 1973, to January 29, 1977,
when he resigned to become U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Elected mayor of Atlanta in
1981.
Committee Assignments
Congress
H. Banking, Currency, and Housing
93rd
H. Rules
94th
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
Table 1. Number and Names of African American
Members of Congress, by Congress
No.a Chamber
Namesb
111th Congress (2009-2011)
41
House
Sanford D. Bishop Jr.
Chaka Fattah
Gwen Moore
Corrine Brown
Marcia L. Fudge
Eleanor Holmes Norton
G.K. Butterfield
Al Green
Donald M. Payne
André Carson
Alcee L. Hastings
Charles B. Rangel
Donna Christensen
Jesse L. Jackson Jr.
Laura Richardson
Yvette D. Clarke
Sheila Jackson Lee
Bobby L. Rush
William Lacy Clay Jr.
Eddie Bernice Johnson
David Scott
Emanuel Cleaver II
Henry (Hank) Johnson
Robert C. Scott
James E. Clyburn
Carolyn Cheeks
Bennie G. Thompson
Kilpatrick
John Conyers Jr.
Edolphus Towns
Barbara Lee
Elijah E. Cummings
Maxine Waters
John Lewis
Artur Davis
Diane E. Watson
Kendrick Meek
Danny K. Davis
Melvin L. Watt
Gregory W. Meeks
Donna F. Edwards
Albert R. Wynn
Keith Ellison
1 Senate
Roland
Burris
110th Congress (2007-2009)
42c
House
Sanford D. Bishop Jr.
Chaka Fattah
Juanita Millender-
McDonald
Corrine Brown
Marcia L. Fudge
Gwen Moore
G.K. Butterfield
Al Green
Eleanor Holmes Norton
André Carson
Alcee L. Hastings
Donald M. Payne
Julia M. Carson
Jesse L. Jackson Jr.
Charles B. Rangel
Donna Christian-
Sheila Jackson Lee
Christensen
Laura Richardson
William J. Jefferson
Yvette D. Clarke
Bobby L. Rush
Eddie Bernice Johnson
William Lacy Clay Jr.
David Scott
Henry (Hank) Johnson
Emanuel Cleaver II
Robert C. Scott
Stephanie Tubbs Jones
James E. Clyburn
Bennie G. Thompson
Carolyn Cheeks
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
Congressional Research Service
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
No.a Chamber
Namesb
1 Senate
Barack
Obama
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 II
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-
McDonald
Chaka Fattah
Gwen Moore
Harold E. Ford Jr.
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Al Green
Alcee L. Hastings
1 Senate
Barack
Obama
108th Congress (2003-2005)
39d
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
Julia M. Carson
Carolyn Cheeks
Robert C. Scott
Kilpatrick
Donna Christian-
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-
McDonald
Danny K. Davis
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Chaka Fattah
Harold E. Ford Jr.
Alcee L. Hastings
Congressional Research Service
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
No.a Chamber
Namesb
Senate None
107th Congress (2001-2003)
39e
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-
McDonald
Alcee L. Hastings
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Earl Hilliard
Senate None
106th Congress (1999-2001)
39
House
Sanford D. Bishop Jr.
Alcee L. Hastings
Juanita Millender-
McDonald
Corrine Brown
Earl Hilliard
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Julia M. Carson
Jesse L. Jackson Jr.
Major R. Owens
Sheila Jackson Lee
Donald M. Payne
Donna Christian-
William J. Jefferson
Christensen
Charles B. Rangel
Eddie Bernice Johnson
William L. Clay Sr.
Bobby L. Rush
Stephanie Tubbs Jones
Eva M. Clayton
Robert C. Scott
Carolyn Cheeks
James E. Clyburn
Kilpatrick
Bennie G. Thompson
John Conyers Jr.
Barbara Lee
Edolphus Towns
Elijah Cummings
John Lewis
Maxine Waters
Danny K. Davis
Cynthia A. McKinney
Melvin L. Watt
Julian C. Dixon
Carrie P. Meek
J.C. Watts Jr.
Chaka Fattah
Gregory W. Meeks
Albert R. Wynn
Harold E. Ford Jr.
Senate None
105th Congress (1997-1999)
39f
House
Sanford D. Bishop Jr.
Floyd Flake
Juanita Millender-
McDonald
Corrine Brown
Harold E. Ford Jr.
Congressional Research Service
49
African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
No.a Chamber
Namesb
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)
40g
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
Julian C. Dixon
Carrie P. Meek
Melvin L. Watt
Chaka Fattah
Kweisi Mfume
J.C. Watts Jr.
Cleo Fields
Juanita Millender-
Albert R. Wynn
McDonald
Floyd H. Flake
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Harold E. Ford Sr.
Major R. Owens
1 Senate
Carol
Moseley-Braun
103rd Congress (1993-1995)
39h
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
Congressional Research Service
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
No.a Chamber
Namesb
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)
27i 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. Dymal y
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Mike Espy
Major R. Owens
Senate None
101st Congress (1989-1991)
24j
House
William L. Clay Sr.
Floyd H. Flake
Donald M. Payne
Cardiss Collins
Harold E. Ford Sr.
Charles B. Rangel
John Conyers Jr.
William H. Gray III
Gus Savage
George Crockett
Augustus F. Hawkins
Louis Stokes
Ronald V. Dellums
Charles A. Hayes
Edolphus Towns
Julian C. Dixon
Mickey Leland
Craig A. Washington
Mervyn M. Dymal y
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
Congressional Research Service
51
African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
No.a Chamber
Namesb
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. Dymal y
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. Dymal y
Parren J. Mitchel
Alan D. Wheat
Senate None
98th Congress (1983-1985)
21k
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. Dymal y
Parren J. Mitchel
Walter E. Fauntroy
Major R. Owens
Senate None
97th Congress (1981-1983)
19 House
Shirley
A.
Chisholm Mervyn M. Dymal y
Parren J. Mitchel
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)
Congressional Research Service
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
No.a Chamber
Namesb
17l 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. Mitchel
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. Mitchel
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. Mitchel
Shirley A. Chisholm
Walter E. Fauntroy
Robert N.C. Nix Sr.
William L. Clay Sr.
Harold E. Ford Sr.
Charles B. Rangel
Cardiss Collins
Augustus F. Hawkins
Louis Stokes
John Conyers Jr.
Barbara C. Jordan
Andrew J. Young
Ronald V. Dellums
Ralph W. Metcalfe
1 Senate
Edward
W.
Brooke
93rd Congress (1973-1975)
16
House
Yvonne B. Burke
Charles C. Diggs Jr.
Robert N.C. Nix Sr.
Shirley A. Chisholm
Walter E. Fauntroy
Charles B. Rangel
William L. Clay Sr.
Augustus F. Hawkins
Louis Stokes
Cardiss Collins
Barbara C. Jordan
Andrew J. Young
John Conyers Jr.
Ralph H. Metcalfe
Ronald V. Dellums
Parren J. Mitchel
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. Mitchel
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
No.a Chamber
Namesb
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)
5m 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 Jr.
Senate None
88th Congress (1963-1965)
5 House: William
L.
Dawson Augustus F. Hawkins
Adam C. Powell Jr.
Charles C. Diggs Jr.
Robert N.C. Nix Sr.
Senate None
85th - 87th Congresses (1957-1963)
4 House
William
L.
Dawson Robert N.C. Nix Sr.
Charles C. Diggs Jr.
Adam C. Powell Jr.
Senate None
84th Congress (1955-1957)
3
House
William L. Dawson
Charles C. Diggs Jr.
Adam C. Powell Jr.
79th - 83rd Congresses (1945-1955)
2
House
William L. Dawson
Adam C. Powell Jr.
Senate None
78th Congress (1943-1945)
1 House
William
L.
Dawson
Senate None
74th - 77th Congresses (1935-1943)
1
House
Arthur W. Mitchel
Senate None
71st - 73rd Congresses (1929-1935)
1 House
Oscar
S.
DePriest
Senate None
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
No.a Chamber
Namesb
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 Smal s
Senate None
47th Congress (1881-1883)
2
House
John R. Lynch
Robert Smal s
Senate None
46th Congress (1879-1881)
House None
1 Senate
Blanche
K.
Bruce
45th Congress (1877-1879)
3
House
Richard H. Cain
Joseph H. Rainey
Robert Smalls
1 Senate
Blanche
K.
Bruce
44th Congress (1875-1877)
7 House
Jeremiah
Haralson Charles E. Nash
Josiah T. 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
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
No.a Chamber
Namesb
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)n
2
House
Jefferson F. Long
Joseph H. Rainey
1 Senate
Hiram
R.
Revelso
a. Unless otherwise specified, number given is the largest number of African Americans serving at any one
time during each Congress.
b. For specific dates of service, please see each individual Member’s biographical entry in this report.
c. Although 46 different African Americans were elected to the House in the 110th Congress, 42 was the
highest number to serve at any one time. Rep. Laura Richardson fil ed the seat vacated by the death of
Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald; Rep. André Carson filled the seat vacated by the death of his
grandmother, Rep. Julia Carson; Rep. Donna Edwards filled the seat vacated by the resignation of Rep.
Albert Wynn; and Rep. Marcia Fudge filled the seat vacated by the death of Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones.
d. Although 40 different African Americans were elected to the House in the 108th Congress, 39 was the
largest number to serve at any one time. Rep. G.K. Butterfield filled the seat vacated by the resignation of
Rep. Frank Ballance.
e. Although 40 different African Americans were elected to the House in the 107th Congress, 39 was the
largest number to serve at any one time. Rep. Julian Dixon was reelected to the 107th Congress but died on
Dec. 8, 2000 before the Congress commenced; his seat was filled by Rep. Diane Watson.
f.
Although 41 different African Americans were elected to the House in the 105th Congress, 39 was the
largest number to serve at any one time. Rep Gregory Meeks filled the seat vacated by the resignation of
Rep. Floyd Flake, and Rep. Barbara Lee filled the seat vacated by the resignation of Rep. Ron Dellums.
g. Although 43 different African Americans were elected to the House in the 104th Congress, 40 was the
largest number to serve at any one time. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. filled the seat vacated by the resignation of
Rep. Mel Reynolds; Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald filled the seat vacated by the resignation of Rep.
Walter Tucker; and Rep. Elijah Cummings filled the seat vacated by the resignation of Rep. Kweisi Mfume.
h. Although 40 different African Americans were elected to the House in the 103rd Congress, 39 was the
largest number to serve at any one time. Rep. Bennie Thompson filled the seat vacated by Rep. Mike Espy,
who resigned to serve as Secretary of Agriculture.
i.
Although 28 different African Americans were elected to the House in the 102nd Congress, 27 was the
largest number to serve at any one time. Rep. Lucien Blackwell filled the seat vacated by the resignation of
Rep. William H. Gray III.
j.
Although 25 different African Americans were elected to the House in the 101st Congress, 24 was the
largest number to serve at any one time. Rep. Craig Washington fil ed the seat vacated by the death of Rep.
Mickey Leland.
k. Although 22 different African Americans were elected to the House in the 98th Congress, 21 was the
largest number to serve at any one time. Rep. Charles Hayes filled the seat vacated by Rep. Harold
Washington, who resigned to serve as Mayor of Chicago.
l.
Although 18 different African Americans were elected to the House in the 96th Congress, 17 was the
largest number to serve at any one time. Rep. George Crockett fil ed the seat vacated by the resignation of
Rep. Charles Diggs Jr.
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
m. Rep. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. was reelected to the House in the 90th Congress, but was excluded and not
seated. He was then reelected to the seat vacated by his exclusion but never took the oath of office.
n. There were no African American Members of Congress until 1870, the 41st Congress, 2nd session.
o. Seated after Mississippi was readmitted to the Union on February 23, 1870; first African American Member
of Congress.
Table 2. African American Members of Congress, 41st Congress to Present,
by State or Territory
Alabama (5 African-American Members)
Artur Davis
Earl F. Hilliard
Benjamin S. Turner
Jeremiah Haralson
James T. Rapier
California (11 African-American Members)
Yvonne Braithwaite Burke
Augustus F. Hawkins
Walter R. Tucker
Ronald V. Dellums
Barbara Lee
Maxine Waters
Julian C. Dixon
Juanita Millender-McDonald
Diane E. Watson
Mervyn M. Dymal y
Laura Richardson
Connecticut (1 African-American Member)
Gary A. Franks
District of Columbia (2 African-American Members)
Walter E. Fauntroy
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Florida (5 African-American Members)
Corrine Brown
Carrie P. Meek
Josiah T. Walls
Alcee L. Hastings
Kendrick Meek
Georgia (8 African-American Members)
Sanford D. Bishop Jr.
Jefferson F. Long
David Scott
Henry C. (Hank) Johnson Jr.
Denise L. Majette
Andrew J. Young
John R. Lewis
Cynthia A. McKinney
Illinois (17 African-American Members)
Roland Burrisa
Charles A. Hayes
Melvin J. Reynolds
Cardiss Collins
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.
Bobby L. Rush
George W. Collins
Ralph H. Metcalfe
Gus Savage
Danny K. Davis
Arthur W. Mitchel
Bennett M. Stewart
William L. Dawson
Carol Moseley-Brauna
Harold D. Washington
Oscar S. DePriest
Barack Obamaa
Indiana (3 African-American Members)
André Carson
Julia Carson
Katie B. Hall
Louisiana (3 African-American Members)
Cleo Fields
William J. Jefferson
Charles E. Nash
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
Maryland (5 African-American Members)
Elijah E. Cummings
Parren J. Mitchel
Albert R. Wynn
Donna Edwards
Kweisi Mfume
Massachusetts (1 African-American Member)
Edward W. Brookea
Michigan (5 African-American Members)
Barbara-Rose Collins
George W. Crockett
Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick
John Conyers Jr.
Charles C. Diggs Jr.
Minnesota (1 African-American Member)
Keith Ellison
Mississippi (5 African-American Members)
Blanche K. Brucea
John R. Lynch
Bennie G. Thompson
Albert M. (Mike) Espy
Hiram Rhodes Revelsa
Missouri (4 African-American Members)
William Lacy Clay Jr.
Emanuel Cleaver II
Alan D. Wheat
William L. Clay Sr.
New Jersey (1 African-American Member)
Donald M. Payne
New York (9 African-American Members)
Shirley A. Chisholm
Gregory Meeks
Charles B. Rangel
Yvette D. Clarke
Major R. Owens
Edolphus Towns
Floyd H. Flake
Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
Alton R. Waldon Jr.
North Carolina (8 African-American Members)
Frank W. Ballance Jr.
Eva M. Clayton
Melvin L. Watt
G.K. Butterfield
John A. Hyman
George H. White
Henry P. Cheatham
James E. O’Hara
Ohio (3 African-American Members)
Marcia L. Fudge
Stephanie Tubbs Jones
Louis Stokes
Oklahoma (1 African-American Member)
J.C. Watts Jr.
Pennsylvania (4 African-American Members)
Lucien E. Blackwell
William H. Gray III
Robert N.C. Nix Sr.
Chaka Fattah
South Carolina (9 African-American Members)
Richard H. Cain
Robert B. Elliott
Joseph H. Rainey
James E. Clyburn
Thomas E. Miller
Alonzo J. Ransier
Robert C. DeLarge
George W. Murray
Robert Smalls
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
Tennessee (2 African-American Members)
Harold E. Ford Jr.
Harold E. Ford Sr.
Texas (6 African-American Members)
Al Green
Eddie Bernice Johnson
George T. (Mickey) Leland
Sheila Jackson Lee
Barbara C. Jordan
Craig A. Washington
Virginia (2 African-American Members)
John M. Langston
Robert C. Scott
Virgin Islands (3 African-American Members)
Donna M. Christensen
Melvin H. Evans
Victor O. Frazer
Wisconsin (1 African-American Member)
Gwen Moore
a. Serves/served in the Senate.
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
Table 3. Number of African American Members in the U.S. Congress,
41st Congress to Present
Congress Year
Total African American
African American
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
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
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
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
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
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African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2009
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
111th
2009-
42 41
1
2011
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 Barack Obama served in the Senate in the 110th Congress until his resignation on Nov. 16, 2008.
Author Contact Information
Jennifer E. Manning
Colleen J. Shogan
Information Research Specialist
Senior Specialist in Government and Finance
jmanning@crs.loc.gov, 7-7565
cshogan@crs.loc.gov, 7-8231
Acknowledgments
This report was originally authored by Mildred Amer, formerly a specialist in American National
Government at CRS. Sarah J. Eckman authored the Congressional Black Caucus section of this report. Neal
Arp II provided research assistance and graphics support. Jared Nagel provided graphics support.
Congressional Research Service
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