African American Members of the United States Congress: 1870-2008







Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress



There are 42 African American Members serving in the 110th Congress, all serving in the House.
President-elect Barack Obama served in the Senate until he resigned on November 16, 2008.
There have been 124 African American Members of Congress: 119 elected to the House and five
to the Senate. There have been 97 Democrats: 95 in the House, two in the Senate; and 27
Republicans: 24 in the House, three in the Senate.
A record 43 African American Members also served in the 109th Congress: 42 in the House, one
in the Senate. The number of African American Members has steadily increased since the first
African American Members entered Congress in 1870. There were fewer than 10 Members until stth
the 91 Congress (1969-1971). In the 98 Congress (1983-1985), the number surpassed 20 for the rdth
first time and then jumped to 40 in the 103 Congress (1993-1995). Since the 106 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 st
in the Senate in the 41 Congress (1870). The first African American Member of the House was st
Joseph H. Rainey (R-SC), who also served in the 41 Congress. Representative John Conyers Jr.
(D-MI, 1965-present), the current chair of the House Judiciary Committee, has served longer than
any other African American Member of Congress.
Shirley Chisholm (D-NY), elected to the 91st through 97th Congresses (1969-1983), was the first
African American woman in Congress. Since that time, 25 other African American women have
been elected, including Senator Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL, 1993-1999), who is the only African
American woman, as well as the first African American Democrat, elected to the Senate.
Representatives James E. Clyburn (D-SC, 1993-present) and former Representatives William H.
Gray III (D-PA, 1979-1991) and J.C. Watts (R-OK, 1995-2003) have been elected to the highest
leadership positions held by African American Members of Congress. Representative Clyburn, th
the House majority whip in the 110 Congress, served as vice chair of the House Democratic thth
Caucus in the 108 and 109 Congresses. Representative Gray was chair of the House st
Democratic Caucus in 1989 (101 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 nd
September 1991 (102 Congress). Representative Watts served as chair of the House Republican thth
Conference in the 106-107 Congresses (1997-2001).
African American Members of Congress have served on standing and select committees.
Nineteen have served as committee chair, 18 in the House and one in the Senate.
This report will be updated as needed.






Backgr ound ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Female Members.............................................................................................................................2
Relations hips ................................................................................................................................... 3
Oldest and Youngest African American Members...........................................................................3
African American Members in Leadership Positions......................................................................3
Tables and Data...............................................................................................................................4
Alphabetical Listing of African American Members, Selected Biographical Information,
and Committee Assignments During Their Tenure in Office.......................................................5
Table 1. African American Members of Congress—Senate..........................................................43
Table 2. African American Members of Congress—House of Representatives............................43
Table 3. Number and Names of African American Members of Congress, by Congress..............48
Table 4. Number and Names of African American Members of Congress, by State....................59
Table 5. Number of African American Members in the U.S. Congress, 41st-110th
Congresses (1870-2008).............................................................................................................63
Author Contact Information..........................................................................................................66






One hundred twenty-four African Americans have been elected to the U.S. Congress: 119 to the 1
House and five to the Senate. Of these, 28 have been women. Until the resignation of President-
elect Barack Obama from the Senate on November 16, 2008, there were 43 African American th
Members serving throughout the 110 Congress, 42 in the House of Representatives and one in
the Senate. This is the same number as the record 43 African American Members (all Democrats) th2
who served in the 109 Congress.
The number of African American Members has steadily increased since the first African st
Americans entered Congress in 1870. There were fewer than 10 Members until the 91 Congress th
(1969-1971). In the 98 Congress (1983-1985), the number surpassed 20 for the first time and rdth
then jumped to 40 in the 103 Congress (1993-1995). Since the 106 Congress (1999-2001), the
number has remained between 39 and 43 at any one time.
The largest number of African American Members elected as freshmen was 17 in the 103rd
Congress. Sixteen were elected to the House, and one, Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL, 1993-1999),
was elected to the Senate. Senator Moseley-Braun, who is the only African American woman to 3
serve in the Senate, also was the first African American Democrat to serve in the Senate.
The majority of African American Members of Congress (97) have been Democrats; 27 have thst
been Republicans. All the African American Democrats have been elected in the 20 and 21 th
centuries. Five African American Republican men were elected to Congress in the 20 century, st
four to the House and one to the Senate. One of them was reelected to one term in the 21 century th
before retiring from Congress. All other African American Republican Members served in the 19
century.
The first African American Member of Congress was Hiram Rhodes Revels (R-MS), who served st
in the Senate in the 41 Congress (1870). He also has the distinction of being the first African
American Member of the Senate and the first African American Member of Congress from
Mississippi. On January 20, 1870, he was chosen by the Mississippi legislature to fill the 4
unexpired term in the U. S. Senate of former Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Senator
Blanche K. Bruce (R-MS, 1875-1881) was the first African American Senator to serve a full
Senate term of six years.

1 Includes three Delegates from the U.S. Virgin Islands and two from the District of Columbia.
2 A record 47 different African American Members have served in the 110th Congress (46 in the House and one in the
Senate). However, only 43 (42 in the House and one in the Senate) served at any one time. In addition to the
resignation Barack Obama on Nov. 16, 2008, Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA) died on Apr. 22,
2007, and was replaced by Representative Laura Richardson (D-CA) on Sept. 4, 2007; Rep. Julia Carson (D-IN) died
on Dec. 15, 2007, and was replaced by her grandson, Rep. André Carson (D-IN) on Mar. 13, 2008; Rep. Al Wynn (D-
MD) resigned on May 31, 2008, and was replaced by Rep. Donna Edwards (D-IN) on June 19, 2008; and Rep.
Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH) died on Aug. 20, 2008, and was replaced by Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH) on Nov. 19, th
2008. The previous record number was in the 104 Congress (1995-1997) when 43 African American Members was
elected to the House of Representatives though only 40 actually served at any one time.
3 Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) is the first African American male Democrat to serve in the Senate.
4For an in depth look at African Americans in Congress, refer to U .S. Congress, House, Office of History and
Preservation, Black Americans in Congress, 1870-2007 (Washington: GPO, 2008), http://baic.house.gov, visited Nov.
15, 2008.





Joseph H. Rainey (R-SC, 1869-1878) was the first African American Member of the House of st
Representatives, beginning service, like Senator Revels, in the 41 Congress. Shirley Chisholm stth
(D-NY), elected to the 91 through 97 Congresses (1969-1983), was the first African American
woman to serve in Congress. Edward Brooke (R-MA) was the first African American person
elected to the Senate after passage of the Seventeenth Amendment, which provided for the direct thth
election of Senators. He served in the 90 through 95 Congresses (1967-1979).
John Conyers Jr. (D-MI) holds the record for length of service by an African American Member th
(nearly 44 years). He was first elected to the 89 Congress and has served since January 3, 1965.
Twenty-three African American Members have first been elected to fill vacancies in the House.
They include Representatives Bennie Thompson (D-MS, 1993-present); Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL,

1995-present); Elijah Cummings (D-MD, 1996-present); Barbara Lee (D-CA, 1998-present);


Gregory Meeks (D-NY, 1998-present); Diane Watson (D-CA, 2001-present); G.K. Butterfield (D-
NC, 2004-present); Laura Richardson (D-CA, 2007-present); André Carson (D-IN, 2008-present;
Donna Edwards (D-MD, 2008-present); and Marcia L. Fudge (D-IN, 2008-present). Former
Representative Cardiss Collins (D-IL, 1973-1997), was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the
death of her husband, Representative George Collins (D-IL, 1970-1972). The other former
Members were Robert N.C. Nix Sr. (D-PA, 1958-1979); George Collins (D-IL, 1970-1972);
Bennett Stewart (D-IL, 1979-1981); George W. Crockett Jr. (D-MI, 1980-1991); Katie Hall (D-
IN, 1982-1985); Charles Hayes (D-IL, 1983-1993); Alton Waldon Jr. (D-NY, 1986-1987); Lucien
Blackwell (D-PA, 1991-1995); Craig Washington (D-TX, 1989-1995); Representatives Eva
Clayton (D-NC, 1992-2003); and Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA. 1996-2007). All of these
Members, except Representatives Stewart and Waldon, were subsequently elected to additional 5
terms.

Fourteen African American women serve in the 110th Congress, all in the House.6 A record th
number of 15 African American women served in the 107 Congress, all in the House. A total of

28 African American women have served in Congress.


The first African American female Member was Representative Shirley Chisholm (D-NY, 1969-

1983). Senator Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL, 1993-1999) is the only African American woman to th


have served in the Senate. The African American female Members of the 110 Congress are
Delegates Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Donna Christian-Christensen (D-VI) and
Representatives Maxine Waters (D-CA), Corinne Brown (D-FL), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX),
Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-MI), Diane
Watson (D-CA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Laura Richardson (D-CA), Donna
Edwards (D-MD), and Marcia Fudge (D-OH). The other African American female Members, in
addition to Representative Chisholm, Senator Moseley-Braun, and currently serving Members,
were Cardiss Collins (D-IL, 1973-1997); Barbara-Rose Collins (D-MI, 1991-1997); Yvonne
Brathwaite Burke (D-CA, 1973-1979); Katie Hall (D-IN, 1982-1985); Barbara Jordan (D-TX,

5 Representatives Fudges first opportunity to stand for reelection is November 2, 2010.
6 A record 17 African American women, including the late Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA), the late Julia Carson,
and the late Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH) were elected to the House in the 110th Congress. However, 14 is the largest
number to serve at any one time.





1973-1979); Eva Clayton (D-NC, 1992-2003); Carrie Meek (D-FL, 1993-2003); Denise Majette
(D-GA, 2003-2005); Cynthia McKinney (D-GA, 1993-2003, 2005-2007); Juanita Millender-
McDonald (1996-2007); Julia Carson (D-IN, 1997-2007); and Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH,

1999-2008).



Two African American Members of the 110th Congress are the sons of former Members:
Representative William Lacy Clay Jr. (D-MO, 2001-present) is the son of former Representative
William L. Clay Sr. (D-MO, 1969-2001), and Representative Kendrick Meek (D-FL, 2003-
present) is the son of former Representative Carrie Meek (D-FL, 1993-2003). Representative
André Carson (D-IN, 2008-present) is the grandson of former Representative Julia Carson (D-IN,

1997-2007).


Former Representative Harold Ford Jr. (D-TN, 1997-2007) is the son of former Representative
Harold Ford Sr. (D-TN, 1975-1997). These sons directly succeeded their parents. In addition,
Representative Cardiss Collins (D-IL, 1973-1997) succeeded her husband, Representative George
Collins (D-IL, 1970-1972). Representative George White (R-NC, 1897-1901) was the brother-in-
law of Representative Henry Cheatham (R-NC, 1889-1893).

The oldest African American Member to be elected to the House, Representative George Crockett
(D-MI, 1980-1991), won his first election at 71. Representative Charles Hayes (D-IL, 1983-1993)
was first elected at 65. At age 47, Senator Edward Brooke (R-MA, 1969-1979) became the oldest
African American Senator elected to a first term.
The youngest African American Member to be elected, Representative John Lynch (R-MS, 1873-

1877, 1882-1883), was first elected at age 25. Representative Harold Ford Jr. (D-TN, 1997-2007)


was first elected at age 26. At age 33, Senator Blanche Bruce (R-MS, 1875-1881) was the
youngest African American Senator elected to a first term.

Representative James E. Clyburn (D-SC, 1993-present), the House majority whip in the 110th thth
Congress, served as vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus in the 108 and 109
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 st
chair of the House Democratic Caucus in 1989 (101 Congress). Later in that Congress, when a
vacancy occurred, he was elected House majority whip, a position he held until his resignation nd
from Congress in September 1991 (102 Congress). Representative Watts served as chair of the thth
House Republican Conference in the 106-107 Congresses (1997-2001).
In addition, Representative John Lewis (D-GA, 1987-present), the senior chief deputy whip in the thndth

110 Congress, served as a Democratic chief deputy whip in the 102 -109 Congresses (1991-


2007). Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA, 1991-present) has served has a Democratic chief





deputy whip since the 106th Congress, and Representative G.K. Butterfield (D-NC, 2004-present) th
began his service as a Democratic chief deputy whip in the 110 Congress. Former
Representative Shirley Chisholm (D-NY, 1969-1983) served as secretary to the Democratic th
Caucus in the 96 Congress (1977-1979).
Eighteen African American Representatives and one African American Senator have chaired th7
congressional committees, including a record five in the 110 Congress. African American th
Members currently serving as chairs in the 110 Congress are Representatives John Conyers Jr.
(D-MI, 1965-present), chair of House Judiciary Committee; Charles B. Rangel (D-NY, 1971-
present), chair of the House Ways and Means Committee; and Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS,

1993-present), chair of the House Homeland Security Committee.


The other African American committee chairs were Senator Blanche Bruce (R-MS, 1875-1881)
and Representatives Yvonne B. Burke (D-CA, 1973-1979); William L. Clay Sr. (D-MO, 1969-
2001); William L. Dawson (D-IL, 1943-1970); Ronald V. Dellums (D-CA, 1971-1998); Charles
C. Diggs Jr. (D-MI, 1955-1980); Julian Dixon (D-CA, 1979-2000); William H. Gray III (D-PA,

1979-1991); Augustus F. Hawkins (D-CA, 1963-1991); George T. (Mickey) Leland (D-TX, 1979-


1989); Parren J. Mitchell (D-MD, 1971-1987); Robert N.C. Nix Sr. (D-PA, 1958-1979); Adam
Clayton Powell Jr. (D-NY, 1945-1967, 1969-1971); Louis Stokes (D-OH, 1969-1999); Juanita
Millender-McDonald (D-CA, 1996-2007); and Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH, 1999-2008).

This part of the report provides tabular information on African American Members
of Congress, including the Congresses in which they served, the committees on
which they served, and, where relevant, an indication of the committees they
chaired or co-chaired. In addition, five tables summarize information about African
American Members.
Table 1 and Table 2 list selected data about each African American Member, with the first table
listing Senators and the second listing Representatives. Table 3 presents the number and names of
African American Members by Congress, organized by Congress. Table 4 presents the same
information by state. Table 5 shows the changing number of African American Members serving
in Congress since 1870, when the first African American Member was elected.
Most of the data presented are drawn from the Biographical Directory of the American Congress,
http://bioguide.congress.gov, various editions of the Congressional Directory, and a broad range
of Congressional Quarterly Inc. and Leadership Directories Inc. publications. For additional
information, refer to Black Americans in Congress, 1870-2007, (Washington: GPO, 2008),
http://baic.house.gov, written by the Office of History and Preservation in the House of
Re presenta ti ve s.
For 110th Congress committee assignments, the sources are The Senate of the United States,
Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Tenth Congress, prepared under

7 A record five African American Members were elected House committee chairs at the beginning of the 110th
Congress. However, Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA), chair of the Committee on House Administration, died
on April 22, 2007.





the direction of Nancy Erickson, secretary of the Senate, April 2, 2007 (available online from the
Senate’s website at http://www.senate.gov/general/committee_assignments/assignments.htm); and
List of Standing Committees and Select Committees and Their Subcommittees of the House of
Representatives Together With Joint Committees, One Hundred Tenth Congress, prepared under
the direction of Lorraine C. Miller, clerk of the House of Representatives, June 19, 2008
(available online from the clerk’s website at http://clerk.house.gov/committee_info/oal.pdf).
Note that the names and jurisdiction of House and Senate committees have changed many times
over the years covered by this report. In the interest of brevity, this report does not identify all
historical name changes. The committee names that are listed are those that were in effect at the
time a particular Member served on a panel.



BALLANCE, FRANK W. Jr., a Representative from North Carolina. Born on February 15, 1942. th
Elected as a Democrat to the 108 Congress; served from January 7, 2003, until his resignation
June 11, 2004.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Agriculture 108th
H. Small Business 108th
BISHOP, SANFORD D. Jr., a Representative from Georgia. Born on February 4, 1947. Elected as rdthth
a Democrat to the 103 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served
since January 5, 1993.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Agriculture 103rd-107th
H. Post Office and Civil Service 103rd
H. Veterans’ Affairs 103rd-104th
H. Select Intelligence 105th-107th
H. Appropriations 108th-110th





BLACKWELL, LUCIEN E., a Representative from Pennsylvania. Born on August 1, 1931. nd
Elected as a Democrat to the 102 Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of rd
Representative William Gray; reelected to the 103 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 thth
Republican to two six-year terms beginning with the 90 Congress and served through the 95
Congress, from January 3, 1967, to January 3, 1979. First African American Member of Congress
from Massachusetts.
Committee Assignments Congress
S. Aeronautical and Space Sciences 90th
S. Banking and Currency 90th-91st
S. Government Operations 90th
S. Armed Services 91st
S. Select Equal Education Opportunity 91st-92nd
S. Appropriations 92nd-95th
S. Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs 92nd-95th
S. Special Aging 92nd-95th
S. Select Standards and Conduct 93rd-94th
Jt. Bicentennial Arrangements 94th
Jt. Defense Production 94th-95th
BROWN, CORRINE, a Representative from Florida. Born on November 11, 1946. Elected as a rdthth
Democrat to the 103 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served since
January 5, 1993.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Government Operations 103rd
H. Public Works and Transportation 103rd
H. Veterans’ Affairs 103rd-110th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure 104th-110th





BRUCE, BLANCHE K., a Senator from Mississippi. Born on March 1, 1841; died on March 17, th

1898. Elected as a Republican to a six-year term beginning with the 44 Congress and served th


through the 46 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, rdth

1932. Elected as a Democrat to the 93 through 95 Congresses; served from January 3, 1973, to th


January 3, 1979. First female chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, 94 Congress.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Interior and Insular Affairs 93rd
H. Public Works 93rd
H. Appropriations 94th-95th
H. Select Assassinations 94th-95th
H. Select Beauty Shop 94th-95th
(committee chair, 94th-95th)
BUTTERFIELD, G.K., a Representative from North Carolina. Born on April 27, 1947. Elected as th
a Democrat to the 108 Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative thth
Frank Ballance; reelected to the 109-110 Congresses, has served since July 21, 2004; a chief th
deputy Democratic whip in the 110 Congress.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Small Business 108th
H. Agriculture 108th -109th
H. Armed Services 109th
H. Energy and Commerce 110th





CAIN, RICHARD H., a Representative from South Carolina. Born on April 12, 1825; died on rdth
January 18, 1887. Elected as a Republican to the 43 and 45 Congresses; served from March 4,

1873, to March 3, 1875, and from March 4, 1877, to March 3, 1879.


Committee Assignments Congress
H. Agriculture 43rd
H. Private Land Claims 45th
CARSON, ANDRÉ, a Representative from Indiana. Born on October 16, 1974. Elected as a th
Democrat to the 110 Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his grandmother, Julia
Carson; has served since March 13, 2008.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Financial Services 110th
CARSON, JULIA M., a Representative from Indiana. Born on July 8, 1938; died on December thth

15, 2007. Elected as a Democrat to the 105 through 110 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; stnd
died on November 29, 1935. Elected as a Republican to the 51 and 52 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 stth
on January 1, 2005. Elected as a Democrat to the 91 through 97 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 th

96 Congress, 1977-1979.


Committee Assignments Congress
H. Veterans’ Affairs 91st-92nd
H. Education and Labor 92nd-94th
H. Rules 95th-97th
CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSEN, DONNA M., a Delegate from the Virgin Islands. Born on thth
September 19, 1945. Elected as a Democrat to the 105 Congress through 109 Congresses; th
reelected to the 110 Congress; has served since January 7, 1997. First woman elected from the
Virgin Islands and first female doctor in Congress.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Resources 105th-109th
H. Natural Resources 110th
H. Small Business 106th -109th
H. Homeland Security 108th-110th
CHRISTIAN-GREEN, DONNA. See CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSEN, DONNA.
CLARKE, YVETTE D., a Representative from New York. Born on November 21, 1964. Elected th
as a Democrat to the 110 Congress; has served since January 4, 2007.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Education and Labor 110th
H. Homeland Security 110th
H. Small Business 110th





CLAY, WILLIAM L. Sr., a Representative from Missouri. Born on April 30, 1931. Elected as a stth
Democrat to the 91 through 106 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 thth
his father, Representative William L. Clay Sr. Elected as a Democrat to the 107-109 th
Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served since January 3, 2001.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Financial Services 107th -110th
H. Government Reform 107th -109th
H. Oversight and Government Reform 110th
CLAYTON, EVA M., a Representative from North Carolina. Born on September 16, 1934. nd
Elected as a Democrat to the 102 Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of rdth
Representative Walter Jones; reelected to the 103 through 107 Congresses; served from
November 5, 1992, to January 3, 2003. Co-chair of the House Democratic Policy Committee in th
the 104 Congress.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Agriculture 103rd-107th
H. Small Business 103rd
H. Budget 105th-107th





CLEAVER, EMANUEL, a Representative from Missouri. Born on October 26, 1944. Elected as thth
Democrat to the 109 Congress; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served since January 4,

2005.


Committee Assignments Congress
H. Financial Services 109th-110th
H. Energy Independence and Global Warming 110th
CLYBURN, JAMES E., a Representative from South Carolina. Born on July 21, 1940. Elected as rdthth
a Democrat to the 103 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served th
since January 5, 1993. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 106 Congress. Vice chair ththth
of the House Democratic Caucus in the 108-109 Congresses; House majority whip in the 110
Congress.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Public Works and Transportation 103rd
H. Veterans’ Affairs 103rd-105th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure 104th-105th
H. Small Business 104th
H. Appropriations 106th-109th
COLLINS, BARBARA-ROSE, a Representative from Michigan. Born on April 13, 1939. Elected ndth
as a Democrat to the 102 through 104 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 rdth
Democrat to the 93 through 104 Congresses; served from June 7, 1973, to January 3, 1997.
First elected to succeed her husband, Representative George Collins. Chair of the Congressional th
Black Caucus in the 96 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 st
December 8, 1972. Elected as a Democrat to the 91 Congress to fill the vacancy by the death of ndrd
Representative Daniel Ronan; reelected to the 92 and 93 Congresses; served from November

16, 1970, to December 8, 1972. Succeeded by his wife, Representative Cardiss Collins.


Committee Assignments Congress
H. Government Operations 91st-92nd
H. Public Works 92nd
CONYERS, JOHN Jr., a Representative from Michigan. Born on May 16, 1929. Elected as a ththth
Democrat to the 89 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served since
January 3, 1965.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Judiciary 89th-110th
(committee chair, 110th )
H. Government Operations 92nd-103rd
(committee chair, 101st-103rd)
H. Small Business 100th-103rd





CROCKETT, GEORGE W., a Representative from Michigan. Born on August 10, 1909; died on th
September 7, 1997. Elected as a Democrat to the 96 Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the thst
resignation of Representative Charles Diggs; reelected to the 97 through 101 Congresses;
served from November 12, 1980, to January 3, 1991.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Foreign Affairs 96th-101st
H. Judiciary 97th-101st
H. Small Business 97th
H. Select Aging 97th-101st
CUMMINGS, ELIJAH E., a Representative from Maryland. Born on January 18, 1951. Elected th
as a Democrat to the 104 Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of thth
Representative Kweisi Mfume; reelected to the 105 through 110 Congresses; has served since th
April 25, 1996. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 108 Congress.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Government Reform and Oversight 104th-105th
H. Government Reform 106th-109th
H. Oversight and Government Reform 110th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure 110th
H. Armed Services 110th
DAVIS, ARTUR, a Representative from Alabama. Born on October 9, 1967. Elected as a ththth
Democrat to the 108 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served since
January 7, 2003.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Budget 108th-109th
H. Financial Services 108th- 109th
H. Judiciary 110th
H. Ways and Means 110th





DAVIS, DANNY K., a Representative from Illinois. Born on September 6, 1941. Elected as a ththth
Democrat to the 105 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served since
January 7, 1997.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Small Business 105th- 109th
H. Government Reform and Oversight 105th
H. Government Reform 106th-109th
H. Oversight and Government Reform 110th
H. Education and the Workforce 108th-109th
H. Education and Labor 110th
DAWSON, WILLIAM L., a Representative from Illinois. Born on April 26, 1886; died on thst
November 9, 1970. Elected as a Democrat to the 78 through 91 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 nd
on February 14, 1874. Elected as a Republican to the 42 Congress; served from March 4, 1871,
until January 24, 1873, when his seat was declared vacant after his election was successfully
contested by former Representative Christopher C. Bowen.
Committee Assignment Congress
H. Manufactures 42nd





DELLUMS, RONALD V., a Representative from California. Born on November 25, 1935. ndth
Elected as a Democrat to the 92 through 105 Congresses; served from January 3, 1971, until
February 6, 1998, when he resigned from the House. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in st
the 101 Congress.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. District of Columbia 92nd-103rd
(committee chair, 96th-102nd)
H. Foreign Affairs 92nd
H. Armed Services 93rd-103rd
(committee chair, 103rd)
H. National Security 104th-105th
H. Post Office and Civil Service 97th-98th
H. Select Intelligence 94th-102nd
DePRIEST, OSCAR S., a Representative from Illinois. Born on March 9, 1871; died on May 12, strd
1951. Elected as a Republican to the 71 through 73 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 thth
August 24, 1998. Elected as a Democrat to the 84 through 96 Congresses; served from January

3, 1955, until his resignation on June 3, 1980. First African American Member of Congress from nd


Michigan and first chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, 92 Congress.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Interior and Insular Affairs 84th-85th
H. Veterans’ Affairs 84th-85th
H. Foreign Affairs 86th-93rd
H. International Relations 94th-96th
H. District of Columbia 88th-96th
(committee chair, 93rd-95th)





DIXON, JULIAN C., a Representative from California. Born on August 8, 1934; died on thth
December 8, 2000. Elected as a Democrat to the 96 through 106 Congresses; reelected to the thth

107 Congress, but died before the commencement of the 107 Congress; served from January 3, th


1979, until his death. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 98 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 thnd
a Democrat to the 97 through 102 Congresses; served from January 3, 1981, to January 3, th

1993. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 100 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 th
Democrat to the 110 Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Albert Wynn; has
served since June 19, 2008.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Science and Technology 110th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure 110th
ELLIOTT, ROBERT B., a Representative from South Carolina. Born on August 11, 1842; died on ndrd
August 9, 1884. Elected as a Republican to the 42 and 43 Congresses; served from March 4,

1871, until his resignation on November 1, 1874.


Committee Assignments Congress
H. Education and Labor 42nd-43rd
H. Militia 43rd





ELLISON, KEITH, a Representative from Minnesota. Born on August 4, 1963. Elected as a th
Democrat to the 110 Congress; has served since January 4, 2007.First African American
Member of Congress from Minnesota.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Financial Services 110th
H. Judiciary 110th
ESPY, ALBERT MICHAEL (MIKE), a Representative from Mississippi. Born on November 28, thrd

1953. Elected as a Democrat to the 100 through 103 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 th
November 27, 1984. Elected as a Republican to the 96 Congress; served from January 3, 1979,
to January 3, 1981. First African American Delegate from the Virgin Islands and first African
American physician to serve in Congress.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Armed Services 96th
H. Interior and Insular Affairs 96th
H. Merchant Marine and Fisheries 96th





FATTAH, CHAKA, a Representative from Pennsylvania. Born on November 21, 1956. Elected as ththth
a Democrat to the 104 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served
since January 3, 1995.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Government Reform and Oversight 104th-105th
H. Government Reform 106th
H. Economic and Educational Opportunities 104th
H. Education and the Workforce 105th-106th
H. Small Business 104th
H. Standards of Official Conduct 105th-106th
H. Administration 106th-107th
Jt. Printing 106th -107th
H. Appropriations 107th-110th
FAUNTROY, WALTER E., a Delegate from the District of Columbia. Born on February 6, 1933. nd
Elected as a Democrat to the 92 Congress in a special election after the District of Columbia rdst
was authorized to elect a delegate to Congress; reelected to the 93 through 101 Congresses;
served from April 19, 1971, to January 3, 1991. First African American Delegate from the District th
of Columbia. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 97 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 rdth
Democrat to the 103 and 104 Congresses; served from January 5, 1993, to January 3, 1997. At rd
age 30, he was the youngest Member of the 103 Congress.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs 103rd
H. Banking and Financial Services 104th
H. Small Business 103rd-104th





FLAKE, FLOYD H., a Representative from New York. Born on January 30, 1945. Elected as a thth
Democrat to the 100 through 105 Congresses; served from January 6, 1987, to November 15,

1997, when he resigned from the House.


Committee Assignments Congress
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs 100th-103rd
H. Banking and Financial Services 104th-105th
H. Small Business 100th-105th
H. Government Operations 103rd
H. Select Children, Youth, and Families 100th
H. Select Hunger 100th-102nd
FORD, HAROLD E. Sr., a Representative from Tennessee. Born on May 20, 1945. Elected as a thth
Democrat to the 94 through 104 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 thth
Democrat to the 105 through 109 Congresses; served from January 7, 1997, to January 3, 2007. th
At age 26, he was the youngest Member of the 105 Congress. Succeeded his father, Harold E.
Ford Sr.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Education and the Workforce 105th-107th
H. Government Reform and Oversight 105th
H. Government Reform 106th
H. Financial Services 107th-109th
H. Budget 108th-109th





FRANKS, GARY A., a Representative from Connecticut. Born on February 9, 1953. Elected as a ndth
Republican to the 102 through 104 Congresses; served from January 3, 1991, to January 3,

1997. First African American Member of Congress from Connecticut.


Committee Assignments Congress
H. Armed Services 102nd
H. Small Business 102nd
H. Energy and Commerce 103rd
H. Commerce 104th
H. Select Committee on Aging 102nd
FRAZER, VICTOR O., a Delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Born on May 24, 1943. Elected th
as a Democrat to the 104 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 thth
Democrat to the 111 Congress and later to the 110 Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the
death of Stephanie Tubbs Jones; has served since November 19, 2008.
Committee Assignments Congress
None yet assigned
GRAY, WILLIAM H. III, a Representative from Pennsylvania. Born on August 20, 1941. Elected thnd
as a Democrat to the 96 through 102 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 st


House Democratic Caucus in the First Session of the 101 Congress; later in that Congress House nd
Democratic whip (through the First Session of the 102 Congress).
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Budget 96th, 98th-100th
(committee chair, 99th-100th)
H. District of Columbia 96th-102nd
H. Foreign Affairs 96th
H. Appropriations 97th-102nd
H. House Administration 102nd
Jt. Deficit Reduction 100th





GREEN, AL, a Representative from Texas. Born on September 1, 1947. Elected as a Democrat to thth
the 109 Congress; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served since January 4, 2005.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Financial Services 109th-110th
H. Science 109th
H. Homeland Security 110th
HALL, KATIE B., a Representative from Indiana. Born on April 3, 1938. Elected as a Democrat th
to the 97 Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Adam Benjamin; th
reelected to the 98 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. th
Elected as a Republican to the 44 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 rdthth
Democrat to the 103 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served since
January 5, 1993.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Foreign Affairs 103rd
H. International Relations 104th-107th
H. Merchant Marine and Fisheries 103rd
H. Post Office and Civil Service 103rd
H. Science 104th-105th
H. Select Intelligence 106th-110th
H. Rules 107th-110th
H. Standards of Official Conduct 110th





HAWKINS, AUGUSTUS F., a Representative from California. Born on August 31, 1907; died on thst
November 10, 2007. Elected as a Democrat to the 88 through 101 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 th

8, 1997. Elected as a Democrat to the 98 Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation thnd


of Representative Harold Washington; reelected to the 99 through 102 Congresses; served
from September 12, 1983, to January 3, 1993.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Education and Labor 98th-102nd
H. Small Business 98th-101st
H. Post Office and Civil Service 101st-102nd
HILLIARD, EARL F., a Representative from Alabama. Born on April 9, 1942. Elected as a rdthth
Democrat to the 103 through 106 Congresses; reelected to the 107 Congress; served from
January 5, 1993, to January 3, 2003.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Agriculture 103rd-107th
H. Small Business 103rd-104th
H. International Relations 105th-107th
HYMAN, JOHN ADAMS, a Representative from North Carolina. Born on July 23, 1840; died on th
September 14, 1891. Elected as a Republican to the 44 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 th
Democrat to the 104 Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative thth
Melvin Reynolds; reelected to the 105 through 110 Congresses; has served since December 14,

1995.


Committee Assignments Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services 104th-105th
H. Small Business 105th
H. Appropriations 106th-110th
JACKSON LEE, SHEILA, a Representative from Texas. Born on January 12, 1950. Elected as a ththth
Democrat to the 104 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served since
January 3, 1995.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Judiciary 104th-110th
H. Science 104th-109th
H. Homeland Security 108th-110th
H. Foreign Affairs 110th
JEFFERSON, WILLIAM J., a Representative from Louisiana. Born on March 14, 1947. Elected ndthth
as a Democrat to the 102 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served
since January 3, 1991.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Education and Labor 102nd
H. Merchant Marine and Fisheries 102nd
H. District of Columbia 103rd
H. Ways and Means 103rd, 105th-109th
H. National Security 104th
H. House Oversight 104th
H. Budget 109th
H. Small Business 110th
Jt. Printing 104th





JOHNSON, EDDIE BERNICE, a Representative from Texas. Born on December 3, 1935. rdthth
Elected as a Democrat to the 103 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has th
served since January 5, 1993. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 107 Congress.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Public Works and Transportation 103rd
H. Transportation and Infrastructure 104th-110th
H. Science, Space, and Technology 103rd
H. Science 104th-109th
H. Science and Technology 110th
JOHNSON, HENRY C. (HANK) Jr., a Representative from Georgia. Born on October 2, 1954. th
Elected as a Democrat to the 110 Congress; has served since January 4, 2007.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Armed Services 110th
H. Judiciary 110th
H. Small Business 110th
JONES, STEPHANIE TUBBS, a Representative from Ohio. Born on September 10, 1949; died thth
on August 20, 2008. Elected as a Democrat to the 106 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the th

110 Congress; served from January 3, 1999, to August 20, 2008.


Committee Assignments Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services 106th
H. Financial Services 107th
H. Small Business 106th
H. Standards of Official Conduct 107th-110th
(committee chair, 110th )
H. Ways and Means 108th-110th
JORDAN, BARBARA C., a Representative from Texas. Born on February 21, 1936; died on rdth
January 17, 1996. Elected as a Democrat to the 93 through 95 Congresses; served from January

3, 1973, to January 3, 1979. First African American Member of Congress from Texas.


Committee Assignments Congress
H. Judiciary 93rd-95th
H. Government Operations 94th-95th





KILPATRICK, CAROLYN CHEEKS, a Representative from Michigan. Born on June 25, 1945. ththth
Elected as a Democrat to the 105 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has th
served since January 7, 1997. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 110 Congress.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services 105th
H. House Oversight 105th
Jt. Committee on the Library 105th
H. Appropriations 106th-110th
LANGSTON, JOHN M., a Representative from Virginia. Born on December 14, 1829; died on st
November 15, 1897. Elected as a Republican to the 51 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 th
Democrat to the 105 Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative thth
Ronald Dellums; reelected to the 106 through 110 Congresses; has served since April 20, 1998.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services 105th-106th
H. Financial Services 107th-109th
H. Science 105th
H. International Relations 106th-109th
H. Appropriations 110th
LELAND, GEORGE T. (MICKEY), a Representative from Texas. Born on November 27, 1944; thst
died on August 7, 1989. Elected as a Democrat to the 96 through 101 Congresses; served from th
January 3, 1979, to August 7, 1989. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 99
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 ththth
Democrat to the 100 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served since ndth
January 6, 1987. A Democratic chief deputy whip in the 102 through 109 Congresses; senior th
chief deputy majority whip in the 110 Congress.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Public Works and Transportation 100th-102nd
H. Interior and Insular Affairs 100th-102nd
H. Select Aging 101st-102nd
H. District of Columbia 103rd
H. Ways and Means 103rd-110th
H. Budget 108th
LONG, JEFFERSON F., a Representative from Georgia. Born on March 3, 1836; died on st
February 5, 1900. Elected as a Republican to the 41 Congress after the House declared that
Representative Samuel Gove was not entitled to his seat; served from January 16, 1871, to March

3, 1871. First African American Member of Congress from Georgia.


Committee Assignments Congress
None —
LYNCH, JOHN R., a Representative from Mississippi. Born on September 10, 1847; died on rdthth
November 2, 1939. Elected as a Republican to the 43, 44, and 47 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 rd
youngest Member of the 43 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 th
Democrat to the 108 Congress; served from January 7, 2003, to January 3, 2005.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Budget 108th
H. Education and the Workforce 108th
H. Small Business 108th





McKINNEY, CYNTHIA A., a Representative from Georgia. Born on March 17, 1955. Elected as rdth
a Democrat to the 103 through 107 Congresses; served from January 5, 1993, to January 3, th

2003; elected to the 109 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 rdth
Democrat to the 103 through 107 Congresses; served from January 5, 1993, to January 3, 2003.
Succeeded by her son, Representative Kendrick Meek.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Appropriations 103rd, 105th-107th
H. Budget 104th
H. Government Reform and Oversight 104th
MEEK, KENDRICK, a Representative from Florida. Born on September 6, 1966. Elected to the ththth

108 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served since January 7, 2003.


Succeeded his mother, Representative Carrie Meek.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Armed Services 108th -110th
H. Homeland Security 108th -109th
H. Ways and Means 110th
MEEKS, GREGORY, a Representative from New York. Born on September 25, 1953. Elected as th
a Democrat to the 105 Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative thth
Floyd Flake; reelected to the 106 through 110 Congresses; has served since February 5, 1998.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services 105th-106th
H. Financial Services 107th-110th
H. International Relations 106th-109th
H. Foreign Affairs 110th





METCALFE, RALPH H., a Representative from Illinois. Born on May 30, 1910; died on October ndth

10, 1978. Elected as a Democrat to the 92 through 95 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 thth
Democrat to the 100 through 104 Congresses; served from January 6, 1987, to February 16,

1996, when he resigned to become executive director of the NAACP. Chair of the Congressional rdth


Black Caucus in the 103 Congress. Co-chair of the Democratic Policy Committee in the 104
Congress, 1995-1996.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs 100th-103rd
H. Banking and Financial Services 104th
H. Small Business 100th-104th
H. Education and Labor 101st
H. Select Narcotics Abuse and Control 101st-102nd
Jt. Economic 102nd-104th
H. Standards of Official Conduct 103rd
H. Select Hunger 100th





MILLENDER-McDONALD, JUANITA, a Representative from California. Born on September 7, th

1938; died on April 22, 2007. Elected as a Democrat to the104 Congress to fill the vacancy thth


caused by the resignation of Representative Walter Tucker; reelected to the 105 through 110
Congresses; served from April 16, 1996, to April 22, 2007.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Small Business 104th-110th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure 104th-119th
H. Administration 108th-110th
(committee chair, 110th,
1st sess.)
Jt. Library 108th, 110th
110th
(committee chair, 110th,
1st session)
Jt. Printing 110th
(committee chair, 110th, 1st sess.)
MILLER, THOMAS E., a Representative from South Carolina. Born on June 17, 1849; died on st
April 8, 1936. Elected as a Republican to the 51 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 thth
May 9, 1968. Elected as a Democrat to the 74 through 77 Congresses; served from January 3,

1935, to January 3, 1943. First African American Democrat elected to Congress.


Committee Assignments Congress
H. Post Office and Post Roads 74th-77th





MITCHELL, PARREN J., a Representative from Maryland. Born on April 29, 1922; died May ndth

28, 2007. Elected as a Democrat to the 92 through 99 Congresses; served from January 3,


1971, to January 3, 1987. First African American Member of Congress from Maryland. Chair of th


the Congressional Black Caucus in the 95 Congress.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Banking and Currency 92nd-93rd
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs 94th-99th
H. Select Small Business 92nd-93rd
H. Small Business 94th, 96th-99th
(committee chair, 97th-99th)
H. Budget 93rd -95th
Jt. Defense Production 94th-95th
Jt. Economic 95th-99th
MOORE, GWEN, a Representative from Wisconsin. Born on April 18, 1951. Elected as thth
Democrat to the 109 Congress; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served since January 4,

2005. First African American Member of Congress from Wisconsin.


Committee Assignments Congress
H. Financial Services 109th-110th
H. Small Business 109th -110th
H. Budget 110th
MOSELEY-BRAUN, CAROL, a Senator from Illinois. Born on August 16, 1947. Elected as a rdth
Democrat to a six-year term beginning with the 103 Congress and served through the 105
Congress, from January 5, 1993, to January 3, 1999. First African American woman and African
American Democrat to serve in the Senate. Ambassador to New Zealand from 1999-2001;
candidate for U.S. President in 2004.
Committee Assignments Congress
S. Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs 103rd-105th
S. Judiciary 103rd
S. Small Business 103rd
S. Finance 104th-105th
S. Special Aging 104th-105th





MURRAY, GEORGE W., a Representative from South Carolina. Born on September 22, 1853; rdth
died on April 21, 1926. Elected as a Republican to the 53 and 54 Congresses; served from
March 4, 1893, to March 3, 1895, and from June 4, 1896, to March 3, 1897 (successfully
contested an election).
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Education 53rd-54th
H. Expenditures in the Treasury 54th
Department
NASH, CHARLES E., a Representative from Louisiana. Born on May 23, 1844; died on June 21, th

1913. Elected as a Republican to the 44 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 th
June 22, 1987. Elected as a Democrat to the 85 Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the thth
resignation of Representative Earl Chudoff; reelected to the 86 through 95 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, ndthth
1937. Elected as a Democrat to the 102 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110
Congress; has served since January 3, 1991.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. District of Columbia 102nd-103rd
H. Post Office and Civil Service 102nd-103rd
H. Public Works and Transportation 102nd-103rd
H. Transportation and Infrastructure 104th-110th
H. Government Reform and Oversight 104th -105th
H. Government Reform 106th-109th
H. Oversight and Government Reform 110th
H. Small Business 104th
Jt. Committee on the Organization of Congress 102nd-103r
H. Homeland Security 108th-110th
OBAMA, BARACK, a Senator from Illinois. Born on August 4, 1961. Elected as a Democrat to a th
six-year term beginning with the 109 Congress; served from January 4, 2005, until November
16, 2009, when he resigned after being elected President of the U.S. He is not only the first
African American elected President but also the first African American male Democrat elected to
the Senate.
Committee Assignments Congress
S. Environment and Public Works 109th -110th
S. Foreign Relations 109th -110th
S. Veterans’ Affairs 109th -110th
S. Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 110th
S. Homeland Security and Governmental 110th
Affairs
O’HARA, JAMES E., a Representative from North Carolina. Born on February 26, 1844; died on thth
September 15, 1905. Elected as a Republican to the 48 and 49 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 thth
Democrat to the 98 through 110 Congresses; served from January 3, 1983, to January 3, 2007.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Education and Labor 98th-103rd
H. Economic and Educational 104th
Opportunities
H. Education and the Workforce 105th-109th
H. Government Operations 98th-103rd
H. Government Reform and Oversight 104th-105th
H. Government Reform 106th-109th
PAYNE, DONALD M., a Representative from New Jersey. Born on July 16, 1934. Elected as a stthth
Democrat to the 101 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served since
January 3, 1989. First African American Member of Congress from New Jersey. Chair of the th
Congressional Black Caucus in the 104 Congress.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Education and Labor 101st-103rd, 110th
H. Economic and Educational Opportunities 104th
H. Education and the Workforce 105th-109th
H. Foreign Affairs 101st-103rd, 110th
H. International Relations 104th-109th
H. Government Operations 101st-103rd
POWELL, ADAM CLAYTON Jr., a Representative from New York. Born on November 29, thth

1908; died on April 4, 1972. Elected as a Democrat to the 79 through 90 Congresses, but was th


not seated in the 90 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 st
reelected to the 91 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 st
August 2, 1887. Elected as a Republican to the 41 Congress when the House declared the seat of ndth
Representative Benjamin Whittemore vacant; reelected to the 42 through 45 Congresses;
served from December 12, 1870, to March 3, 1879. First African American Member of the House
of Representatives and first African American Member of Congress from South Carolina.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Freedmen’s Affairs 41st-42nd
H. Indian Affairs 43rd
H. Invalid Pensions 44th-45th
H. Select Celebration of Proposed 43rd
National Census of 1875
RANGEL, CHARLES B., a Representative from New York. Born on June 11, 1930. Elected as a ndthth
Democrat to the 92 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served since th
January 3, 1971. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 94 Congress.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Public Works 92nd
H. Science and Astronautics 92nd
H. Judiciary 92nd-93rd
H. District of Columbia 93rd
H. Ways and Means 94th-110th
(committee chair, 110th Congress)
H. Select Crime 92nd-93rd
H. Select Narcotics Abuse and Control 94th-102nd
(committee chair, 98th-102nd)
Jt. Taxation 104th-105th
RANSIER, ALONZO J., a Representative from South Carolina. Born on January 3, 1834; died on rd
August 17, 1882. Elected as a Republican to the 43 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 rd

31, 1883. Elected as a Republican to the 43 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 st
January 16, 1901. Elected as a Republican to the 41 Congress after Mississippi was readmitted
to the union, and served from February 25, 1870, to March 3, 1871. First African American
Member of Congress; first African American Senator; first African American Republican elected
to Congress; first African American Member of Congress from Mississippi.
Committee Assignments Congress
S. Education and Labor 41st
S. District of Columbia 41st
REYNOLDS, MELVIN J., a Representative from Illinois. Born on January 8, 1952. Elected as a rdth
Democrat to the 103 and 104 Congresses; served from January 5, 1993, until his resignation on
October 1, 1995.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Ways and Means 103rd
H. Economic and Educational 104th
Opportunities
RICHARDSON, LAURA., a Representative from California. Born on April 14, 1962. Elected as th
a Democrat to the 110 Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Juanita
Millender-McDonald; has served since September 4, 2007.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Science and Technology 110th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure 110th





RUSH, BOBBY L., a Representative from Illinois. Born on November 23, 1946. Elected as a rdthth
Democrat to the 103 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served since
January 5, 1993.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs 103rd
H. Government Operations 103rd
H. Science, Space, and Technology 103rd
H. Commerce 104th-106th
H. Energy and Commerce 107th-110th
SAVAGE, GUS, a Representative from Illinois. Born on October 30, 1925. Elected as a Democrat thnd
to the 97 through 102 Congresses; served from January 3, 1981, to January 3, 1993.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Post Office and Civil Service 97th
H. Public Works and Transportation 97th-102nd
H. Small Business 97th-102nd
SCOTT, DAVID, a Representative from Georgia. Born on June 27, 1946. Elected as a Democrat ththth
to the 108-109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served since January 7, 2003.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Agriculture 108th -110th
H. Financial Services 108th- 110th
H. Foreign Affairs 110th
H. Standards of Official Conduct 110th





SCOTT, ROBERT C., a Representative from Virginia. Born on April 30, 1947. Elected as a rdthth
Democrat to the 103 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served since
January 5, 1993.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Education and Labor 103rd, 110th
H. Economic and Educational Opportunities 104th
H. Education and the Workforce 105th-107th, 109th
H. Judiciary 103rd-110th
H. Science, Space, and Technology 103rd
H. Select U.S. National Security and Military/ 106th
Commercial Concerns with the People’s
Republic of China
H. Budget 108th, 110th
SMALLS, ROBERT, a Representative from South Carolina. Born on April 5, 1839; died on thththth
February 22, 1915. Elected as a Republican to the 44, 45, and 47 through 49 Congresses. He
served from March 4, 1875, to March 3, 1879; from July 19, 1882, to March 3, 1883, after he
successfully contested the reelection of Representative George Tillman; and from March 18,
1884, to March 3, 1887, after he was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of
Representative Edmund Mackey.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Agriculture 44th, 47th
H. Militia 45th
H. Manufactures 48th
H. War Claims 49th
STEWART, BENNETT M., a Representative from Illinois. Born on August 6, 1912; died on April th

26, 1988. Elected as a Democrat to the 96 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 stth
Democrat to the 91 through 105 Congresses; served from January 3, 1969, to January 3, 1999.
First African American Member of Congress from Ohio. Chair of the Congressional Black ndrd
Caucus in the 92 and 93 Congresses.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Education and Labor 91st
H. Internal Security 91st
H. Appropriations 92nd-105th
H. Budget 95th-96th
H. Standards of Official Conduct 96th-98th, 102nd
(committee chair, 97th-98th, 102nd)
H. Select Assassinations 94th-95th
(committee chair, 95th)
H. Select Intelligence 98th-100th
H. Select to Investigate Arms 100th
Transactions to Iran
THOMPSON, BENNIE G., a Representative from Mississippi. Born on January 28, 1948. Elected rd
as a Democrat to the 103 Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of thth
Representative Mike Espy to become secretary of agriculture; reelected to the 104 through 110
Congresses; has served since April 20, 1993.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Agriculture 103rd-108th
H. Merchant Marine and Fisheries 103rd
H. Small Business 103rd-104th
H. Budget 105th-107th
H. Homeland Security 108th-110th
(committee chair, 110th)





TOWNS, EDOLPHUS, a Representative from New York. Born on July 21, 1934.Elected as a ththth
Democrat to the 98 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the110 Congress; has served since nd
January 3, 1983. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 102 Congress.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Government Operations 98th-103rd
H. Government Reform and Oversight 104th-105th
H. Government Reform 106th-109th
H. Oversight and Government Reform 110th
H. Public Works and Transportation 98th-104th
H. Energy and Commerce 101st-103rd, 107th-110th
H. Commerce 104th-106th
H. Select Narcotics Abuse and Control 98th-102nd
TUCKER, WALTER R., a Representative from California. Born on May 28, 1957. Elected as a rdth
Democrat to the 103 and 104 Congresses; served from January 5, 1993, until his resignation on
December 15, 1995.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Public Works and Transportation 103rd
H. Small Business 103rd-104th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure 104th
TURNER, BENJAMIN S., a Representative from Alabama. Born on March 17, 1825; died on nd
March 21, 1894. Elected as a Republican to the 42 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. th
Elected as a Democrat to the 99 Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of
Representative Joseph Addabbo; served from July 29, 1986, to January 3, 1987.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Education and Labor 99th
H. Small Business 99th





WALLS, JOSIAH T., a Representative from Florida. Born on December 30, 1842; died on May 5, ndth
1905. Elected as a Republican to the 42 through 44 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 st
a Democrat to the 101 Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative ndrd
Mickey Leland; reelected to the 102 and 103 Congresses; served from December 9, 1989, to
January 3, 1995.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Education and Labor 101st-102nd
H. Judiciary 101st-103rd
H. Energy and Commerce 103rd
H. Government Operations 103rd
H. Select Committee on Narcotics 102nd
Abuse and Control
WASHINGTON, HAROLD D., a Representative from Illinois. Born on April 15, 1922; died on thth
November 25, 1987. Elected as a Democrat to the 97 and 98 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 ndthth
Democrat to the 102 through 109 Congresses, reelected to the110 Congress; has served since th
January 3, 1991. Chair of the CongressionalBlack Caucus in the 105 Congress; vice chair of the thth
Democratic SteeringCommittee in the 105 through 108 Congresses; a Democratic chief thth
deputywhip in the 106 through 110 Congresses.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs 102nd-103rd
H. Banking and Financial Services 104th-106th
H. Financial Services 107th-110th
H. Veterans Affairs 102nd-104th
H. Small Business 103rd-104th
H. Judiciary 105th-110th
WATSON, DIANE E., a Representative from California. Born on November 12, 1933. Elected as th
a Democrat to the 107 Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Julian thth
Dixon; reelected to the 108-110 Congresses; has served since June 7, 2001. U.S. ambassador to
Micronesia from 1999 to 2001.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. International Relations 107th-109th
H. Foreign Affairs 110th
H. Government Reform 107th-109th
H. Oversight and Government Reform 110th
WATT, MELVIN L., a Representative from North Carolina. Born on August 26, 1945. Elected as rdthth
a Democrat to the 103 through 109 Congresses; reelected to the 110 Congress; has served th
since January 5, 1993. Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 109 Congress.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs 103rd
H. Banking and Financial Services 104th-106th
H. Financial Services 107th-110th
H. Post Office and Civil Service 103rd
H. Judiciary 103rd-110th
Jt. Economic 107th-108th





WATTS, J.C. Jr., a Representative from Oklahoma. Born on November 18, 1957. Elected as a thth
Republican to the 104 through 107 Congresses; served from January 3, 1995, to January 3,

2003. First African American Member of Congress from Oklahoma. Chair of the House thth


Republican Conference in the 106 through 107 Congresses.
Committee Assignments Congress
H. Banking and Financial Services 104th
H. National Security 104th-105th
H. Transportation and Infrastructure 105th-106th
H. Armed Services 106th-107th
WHEAT, ALAN D., a Representative from Missouri. Born on October 16, 1951. Elected as a thrd
Democrat to the 98 through 103 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 thth
on December 28, 1918. Elected as a Republican to the 55 and 56 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 rdth
a Democrat to the 103 through 110 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 rdth
Democrat to the 93 through 95 Congresses; served from January 3, 1973, to January 29, 1977,
when he resigned to become U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Elected mayor of Atlanta in

1981.


Committee Assignments Congress
H. Banking, Currency, and Housing 93rd
H. Rules 94th
Table 1. African American Members of Congress—Senate
Name Congress(es) Years State Party
Brooke, Edward W. 90th-95th 1967-1979 MA R
Bruce, Blanche K. 44th-46th 1875-1881 MS R
Moseley-Braun, Carol 103rd-105th 1993-1999 IL D
Obama, Baracka 109th-110th 2005-2008 IL D
Revels, Hiram R.b 41st 1870-1871 MS R
a. Resigned on Nov. 16, 2008, after being elected President of the U.S. for the term beginning Jan. 20, 2009.
b. Seated after Mississippi was readmitted to the Union on Feb. 23, 1870; first African American Member of
Congress.
Table 2. African American Members of Congress—House of Representatives
Name Congress(es) Years State Districta Party
Ballance, Frank W. Jr. 108th 2003-2004 NC 1st D
Bishop, Sanford D. Jr. 103rd- 1993- GA 2nd D
Blackwell, Lucien E.b 102nd-103rd 1991-1995 PA 2nd D
Brown, Corrine 103rd- 1993- FL 3rd D
Burke, Yvonne B. 93rd-95th 1973-1979 CA 28th D
Butterfield, G.K.c 108th- 2004- NC 1st D
Cain, Richard Harvey 43rd 1873-1875 SC AL R
45th 1877-1879
Carson, Julia Md 105th-110th 1997-2007 IN 10th, 7th D
Carson, Andréd 110th - 2008- IN 7th D
Cheatham, Henry P. 51st-52nd 1889-1893 NC 2nd R
Chisholm, Shirley A.e 91st-97th 1969-1983 NY 12th D
Christian-Christensen, Donna 105th- 1997- VI AL D
Clarke, Yvette D. 110th 2007- NY 11th D
Clay, William L. Sr. 91st-106th 1969-2001 MO 1st D
Clay, William Lacy Jr. 107th- 2001- MO 1st D





Name Congress(es) Years State Districta Party
Clayton, Eva M.f 102nd-107th 1992-2003 NC 1st D
Cleaver, Emanuel 109th- 2005- MO 5th D
Clyburn, James E. 103rd- 1993- SC 6th D
Collins, Barbara-Rose 102nd-104th 1991-1997 MI 15th D
Collins, Cardissg 93rd-104th 1973-1997 IL 7th D
Collins, George W.h 91st-92nd 1970-1972 IL 6th D
Conyers, John Jr. 89th- 1965- MI 14th D
Crockett, George W.i 96th-101st 1980-1991 MI 13th D
Cummings, Elijah E.j 104th- 1996- MD 7th D
Davis, Artur 108th- 2003- AL 7th D
Davis, Danny K. 105th- 1997- IL 7th D
Dawson, William L.k 78th-91st 1943-1970 IL 1st D
DeLarge, Robert C.l 42nd 1871-1873 SC 2nd R
Dellums, Ronald V.m 92nd-105th 1971-1998 CA 8th D
DePriest, Oscar S. 71st-73rd 1929-1935 IL 1st R
Diggs, Charles C. Jr.n 84th-96th 1955-1980 MI 13th D
Dixon, Julian C.o 96th-106th 1979-2000 CA 32nd D
Dymally, Mervyn M. 97th-102nd 1981-1993 CA 31st D
Edwards, Donna F.p 110th - 2008- MD 4th D
Elliott, Robert B.q 42nd-43rd 1871-1874 SC 3rd R
Ellison, Keith 110th 2007- MN 5th D
Espy, Albert M. (Mike)r 100th-103rd 1987-1993 MS 2nd D
Evans, Melvin H. 96th 1979-1981 VI AL R
Fattah, Chaka 104th- 1995- PA 2nd D
Fauntroy, Walter E.s 92nd-101st 1971-1991 DC AL D
Fields, Cleo 103rd-104th 1993-1997 LA 4th D
Flake, Floyd H. 100th-105th 1987-1997 NY 6th D
Ford, Harold E. Jr. 105th-109th 1997-2007 TN 9th D
Ford, Harold E. Sr. 94th-104th 1975-1997 TN 9th D
Franks, Gary A. 102nd-104th 1991-1997 CT 5th R
Frazer, Victor O. 104th 1995 VI AL D
Fudge, Marcia L.t 110th- 2008- OH 11th D
Gray, William H. IIIu 96th-102nd 1979-1991 PA 2nd D
Green, Al 109th- 2005- TX 9th D
Hall, Katie Bv 97th-98th 1982-1985 IN 1st D
Haralson, Jeremiah 44th 1875-1877 AL 1st R
Hastings, Alcee L. 103rd- 1993- FL 23rd D





Name Congress(es) Years State Districta Party
Hawkins, Augustus F. 88th-101st 1963-1991 CA 29th D
Hayes, Charles A.w 98th-102nd 1983-1993 IL 1st D
Hilliard, Earl F. 103rd-107th 1993-2003 AL 7th D
Hyman, John Adams 44th 1875-1877 NC 2nd R
Jackson, Jesse L. Jr.x 104th- 1995- IL 2nd D
Jackson Lee, Sheila 104th- 1995- TX 18th D
Jefferson, William J. 102nd- 1991- LA 2nd D
Johnson, Eddie Bernice 103rd- 1993- TX 30th D
Johnson, Henry C. (Hank) Jr. 110th - 2007- GA 4th D
Jones, Stephanie Tubbsy 106th-110th 1999-2008 OH 11th D
Jordan, Barbara C. 93rd-95th 1973-1979 TX 18th D
Kilpatrick, Carolyn C. 105th- 1997- MI 15th, 13th D
Langston, John M.z 51st 1890-1891 VA 4th R
Lee, Barbaraaa 105th- 1998- CA 9th D
Leland, George T. (Mickey)bb 96th-101st 1979-1989 TX 18th D
Lewis, John R. 100th- 1987- GA 5th D
Long, Jefferson F.cc 41st 1870-1871 GA 4th R
Lynch, John R.dd 43rd-44th 1873-1877 MS 7th R
47th 1882-1883
McKinney, Cynthia A. 103rd- 107th 1993-2003 GA 4th D
109th 2005-2007
Majette, Denise L. 108th 2003-2005 GA 4th D
Meek, Carrie P. 103rd-107th 1993-2003 FL 17th D
Meek, Kendrick 108th- 2003- FL 17th D
Meeks, Gregoryee 105th- 1998- NY 6th D
Metcalfe, Ralph H.ff 92nd-95th 1971-1978 IL 1st D
Mfume, Kweisigg 100th-104th 1987-1996 MD 7th D
Millender-McDonald, Juanitahh 104th-110th 1996-2007 CA 37th D
Miller, Thomas E.ii 51st 1890-1891 SC 7th R
Mitchell, Arthur W. 74th-77th 1935-1943 IL 1st D
Mitchell, Parren J. 92nd-99th 1971-1987 MD 7th D
Moore, Gwen 109th 2005- WI 4th D
Murray, George W.jj 53rd-54th 1893-1895 SC 7th R
1896-1897
Nash, Charles E. 44th 1875-1877 LA 6th R
Nix, Robert N.C. Sr.kk 85th-95th 1958-1979 PA 2nd D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes 102nd- 1991- DC AL D





Name Congress(es) Years State Districta Party
O’Hara, James E. 48th-49th 1883-1887 NC 2nd R
Owens, Major R. 98th-107th 1983-2007 NY 11th D
Payne, Donald M. 101st- 1989- NJ 10th D
Powell, Adam C. Jr.ll 79th-89th 1945-1967 NY 18th D
91st 1969-1971
Rainey, Joseph H.mm 41st-45th 1870-1879 SC 1st R
Rangel, Charles B. 92nd- 1971- NY 15th D
Ransier, Alonzo J. 43rd 1873-1875 SC 2nd R
Rapier, James T. 43rd 1873-1875 AL 2nd R
Reynolds, Melvin J.nn 103rd-104th 1993-1995 IL 2nd D
Richardson, Lauraoo 110th - 2007- CA 37th D
Rush, Bobby L. 103rd- 1993- IL 1st D
Savage, Gus 97th-102nd 1981-1993 IL 2nd D
Scott, David 108th- 2003- GA 13th D
Scott, Robert C. 103rd- 1993- VA 3rd D
Smalls, Robertpp 44th-45th 1875-1879 SC 5th R
47th 1882-1883
48th-49th 1884-1887
Stewart, Bennett M. 96th 1979-1981 IL 1st D
Stokes, Louis 91st-105th 1969-1999 OH 21st D
Thompson, Bennie G.qq 103rd- 1993- MS 2nd D
Towns, Edolphus 98th- 1983- NY 10th D
Tucker, Walter R.rr 103rd-104th 1993-1995 CA 37th D
Turner, Benjamin S. 42nd 1871-1873 AL 1st R
Waldon, Alton R. Jr.ss 99th 1986-1987 NY 6th D
Walls, Josiah T.tt 42nd 1871-1873 FL AL R
43rd 1873-1875
44th 1875-1876
Washington, Craig A.uu 101st-103rd 1989-1995 TX 18th D
Washington, Harold D.vv 97th-98th 1981-1983 IL 1st D
Waters, Maxine 102nd- 1991- CA 35th D
Watson, Diane E.ww 107th - 2001- CA 32nd, 33rd D
Watt, Melvin L. 103rd- 1993- NC 12th D
Watts, J.C. Jr. 104th-107th 1995-2003 OK 4th R
Wheat, Alan D. 98th-103rd 1983-1995 MO 5th D
White, George H. 55th-58th 1897-1901 NC 2nd R
Wynn, Albert R.xx 103rd-110th 1993-2008 MD 4th D





Name Congress(es) Years State Districta Party
Young, Andrew J.yy 93rd-95th 1973-1977 GA 5th D
a. The number noted for a Member’s congressional district is that which is now assigned to it or was assigned
to it when he or she was last in Congress. “AL” indicates that the Member served at-large.
b. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. William Gray; seated on Nov. 13, 1991.
c. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Frank Ballance, seated on July 21, 2004.
d. Died on Dec. 15, 2007, and replaced by her grandson, Rep. André Carson on Mar. 13, 2008.
e. First African American woman elected to Congress and first African American female presidential candidate,
1972.
f. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Walter Jones; took office on Nov. 5, 1992.
g. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of her husband, Rep. George W. Collins; seated on June 7,
1973.
h. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Daniel J. Ronan; seated on Nov. 16, 1970. He was
subsequently killed in an airplane crash on Dec. 8, 1972.
i. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Charles C. Diggs Jr.; seated on Nov. 12, 1980.
j. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Kweisi Mfume; seated on Apr. 25, 1996.
k. Died on Nov. 9, 1970.
l. Seat declared vacant on January 24, 1873, after Rep. Robert DeLarge’s election was successfully contested.
m. Resigned from office on Feb. 6, 1998.
n. Resigned from office on June 3, 1980.
o. Died on Dec. 8, 2000.
p. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Albert Wynn; seated on June 19, 2008.
q. Resigned from office, effective Nov. 1, 1874.
r. Resigned from office on Jan. 25, 1993, to become Secretary of Agriculture.
s. Delegate from the District of Columbia. Elected in a special election and sworn in on Apr. 19, 1971.
t. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones; seated on Nov. 19,2008.
u. Resigned from office on Sep. 11, 1991.
v. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Adam Benjamin; seated on Nov. 29, 1982.
w. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Harold Washington; seated on Sep. 12, 1983.
x. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Mel Reynolds; seated on Dec. 14, 1995.
y. Died on August 20, 2008.
z. Successfully contested the election of Rep. Edward C. Venable and served from Sep. 23, 1890, to Mar. 3,
1891.
aa. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Ronald Dellums; seated on Apr. 20,1998.
bb. Died in a plane crash on Aug. 7, 1989, while in Ethiopia on a fact-finding tour investigating hunger among
refugees.
cc. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the House declaring that Rep. Samuel Gove was not entitled to his seat;
served from Dec. 22, 1870, to Mar. 3, 1871.
dd. Successfully contested the election of Rep. James R. Chalmers to the 47th Congress; served from Apr. 29,
1882, to Mar. 3, 1883.
ee. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Floyd Flake; seated on Feb. 5, 1998.





ff. Died on Oct. 10, 1978.
gg. Resigned from office on Feb. 16, 1996.
hh. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Walter Tucker; seated on Apr. 16, 1996. Died
on Apr. 22, 2007.
ii. Successfully contested an election; served from Sep. 24, 1890, to Mar. 3, 1891.
jj. Successfully contested an election; served from June 4, 1896, to Mar. 3, 1897.
kk. First elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Earl Chudoff; seated on June 4, 1958.
ll. Elected to the 90th Congress, but excluded and not seated. Reelected to the seat vacated by his exclusion, st
but never took the oath of office. Reelected to the 91 Congress and seated. Defeated for renomination to
the 92nd Congress in 1970.
mm. First African American Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Elected to the 41st Congress to fill
the vacancy caused by the House declaring the seat of Rep. Benjamin Whittemore vacant. Seated on Dec.
12, 1870.
nn. Resigned from office on Oct. 1, 1995.
oo. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald; seated on Sep. 4, 2007.
pp. Successfully contested an election and seated in the 47th Congress on July 19, 1882. Subsequently elected to
the 48th-49th Congresses; first elected to the 48th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep.
Edmund Mackey; seated on Mar. 18, 1884.
qq. Elected to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Mike Espy; seated on Apr. 20, 1993.
rr. Resigned from office on Dec. 15, 1995.
ss. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Joseph Addabbo; seated on July 29, 1986.
tt. Served from Mar. 4, 1871, until January 29, 1873, when seat was lost to Rep. Silas L. Niblack, who
successfully challenged his election. Served from Mar. 4, 1875, until Apr. 19, 1876, when seat was lost to
Rep. Jesse J. Finley, who successfully challenged his election.
uu. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Mickey Leland; seated on Dec. 9, 1989.
vv. Resigned on Apr. 29, 1983, to become mayor of Chicago.
ww. Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Julian Dixon; seated on June 7, 2001.
xx. Resigned from office on May 31, 2008.
yy. Resigned his seat on Jan. 29, 1977, to become U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Table 3. Number and Names of African American Members of Congress, by
Congress
No. Chamber Names
110th Congress (2007-2009)
42a House Sanford D. Bishop Jr. Chaka Fattah Juanita Millender-
Corrine Brown Marcia L. Fudge McDonald
G.K. Butterfield Al Green Gwen Moore
André Carson Alcee L. Hastings Eleanor Holmes Norton
Julia M. Carson Jesse L. Jackson Jr. Donald M. Payne
Donna Christian- Sheila Jackson Lee Charles B. Rangel
Christensen William J. Jefferson Laura Richardson
Yvette D. Clarke Eddie Bernice Johnson Bobby L. Rush





No. Chamber Names
William Lacy Clay Jr. Henry (Hank) Johnson David Scott
Emanuel Cleaver Stephanie Tubbs Jones Robert C. Scott
James E. Clyburn Carolyn Cheeks Bennie G. Thompson
John Conyers Jr. Kilpatrick Edolphus Towns
Elijah E. Cummings Barbara Lee Maxine Waters
Artur Davis John Lewis Diane E. Watson
Danny K. Davis Kendrick Meek Melvin L. Watt
Donna F. Edwards Gregory W. Meeks Albert R. Wynn
Keith Ellison

1b Senate Barack Obama
No. Chamber Names
109th Congress (2005-2007)
42 House Sanford D. Bishop Jr. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. Major R. Owens
Corrine Brown Sheila Jackson Lee Donald M. Payne
G.K. Butterfield William J. Jefferson Charles B. Rangel
Julia M. Carson Eddie Bernice Johnson Bobby L. Rush
Donna Christian- Stephanie Tubbs Jones David Scott
Christensen Carolyn Cheeks Robert C. Scott
William Lacy Clay Jr. Kilpatrick Bennie G. Thompson
Emanuel Cleaver Barbara Lee Edolphus Towns
James E. Clyburn John Lewis Maxine Waters
John Conyers Jr. Cynthia McKinney Diane E. Watson
Elijah E. Cummings Kendrick Meek Melvin L. Watt
Artur Davis Gregory W. Meeks Albert R. Wynn
Danny K. Davis Juanita Millender-
Chaka Fattah McDonald
Harold E. Ford Jr. Gwen Moore
Al Green Eleanor Holmes Norton
Alcee L. Hastings
1 Senate Barack Obama
108th Congress (2003-2005)
39c House Frank W. Ballance Jr. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. Major R. Owens
Sanford D. Bishop Jr. Sheila Jackson Lee Donald M. Payne
G.K. Butterfield William J. Jefferson Charles B. Rangel
Corrine Brown Eddie Bernice Johnson Bobby L. Rush
Andre Carson Stephanie Tubbs Jones David Scott





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





No. Chamber Names
Eva M. Clayton Stephanie Tubbs Jones Bobby L. Rush
James E. Clyburn Carolyn Cheeks Robert C. Scott
John Conyers Jr. Kilpatrick Bennie G. Thompson
Elijah Cummings Barbara Lee Edolphus Towns
Danny K. Davis John Lewis Maxine Waters
Julian C. Dixon Cynthia A. McKinney Melvin L. Watt
Chaka Fattah Carrie P. Meek J.C. Watts Jr.
Harold E. Ford Jr. Gregory W. Meeks Albert R. Wynn
Senate None
105th Congress (1997-1999)
39e House Sanford D. Bishop Jr. Floyd Flake Juanita Millender-
Corrine Brown Harold E. Ford Jr. McDonald
Julia M. Carson Alcee L. Hastings Eleanor Holmes Norton
Donna M. Christian- Earl Hilliard Major R. Owens
Green Jesse L. Jackson Jr. Donald M. Payne
William L. Clay Sr. Sheila Jackson Lee Charles B. Rangel
Eva M. Clayton William J. Jefferson Bobby Rush
James E. Clyburn Eddie Bernice Johnson Robert Scott
John Conyers Jr. Carolyn Cheeks Louis Stokes
Elijah Cummings Kilpatrick Bennie G. Thompson
Danny K. Davis Barbara Lee Edolphus Towns
Ronald V. Dellums John Lewis Maxine Waters
Julian C. Dixon Cynthia A. McKinney Melvin L. Watt
Chaka Fattah Carrie P. Meek J.C. Watts Jr.
Gregory W. Meeks Albert R. Wynn
1 Senate Carol Moseley-Braun
104th Congress (1995-1997)
40f House Sanford D. Bishop Jr. Gary Franks Donald M. Payne
Corrine Brown Victor Frazer Charles B. Rangel
William L. Clay Sr. Alcee L. Hastings Melvin J. Reynolds
Eva M. Clayton Earl F. Hilliard Bobby L. Rush
James E. Clyburn Jesse L. Jackson Jr. Robert Scott
Barbara-Rose Collins William J. Jefferson Louis Stokes
Cardiss Collins Eddie Bernice Johnson Bennie G. Thompson
John Conyers Jr. Sheila Jackson Lee Edolphus Towns
Elijah E. Cummings John Lewis Walter Tucker
Ronald V. Dellums Cynthia A. McKinney Maxine Waters





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





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


Mervyn M. Dymally Parren J. Mitchell



No. Chamber Names
Walter E. Fauntroy Major R. Owens
Senate None
97th Congress (1981-1983)
19 House Shirley A. Chisholm Mervyn M. Dymally Parren J. Mitchell
William L. Clay Sr. Walter E. Fauntroy Charles R. Rangel
Cardiss Collins Harold E. Ford Sr. Gus Savage
John Conyers Jr. William H. Gray III Louis Stokes
George W. Crockett Katie B. Hall Harold D. Washington
Ronald V. Dellums Augustus F. Hawkins
Julian C. Dixon Mickey Leland
Senate None
96th Congress (1979-1981)
17k House Shirley A. Chisholm Charles C. Diggs Jr. Augustus F. Hawkins
William L. Clay Sr. Julian C. Dixon Mickey Leland
Cardiss Collins Melvin H. Evans Parren J. Mitchell
John Conyers Jr. Walter E. Fauntroy Charles B. Rangel
George W. Crockett Harold E. Ford Sr. Bennett M. Stewart
Ronald V. Dellums William H. Gray III Louis Stokes
Senate None
95th Congress (1977-1979)
17 House Yvonne B. Burke Charles C. Diggs Jr. Parren J. Mitchell
Shirley A. Chisholm Walter E. Fauntroy Robert N.C. Nix Sr.
William L. Clay Sr. Harold E. Ford Sr. Charles B. Rangel
Cardiss Collins Augustus F. Hawkins Louis Stokes
John Conyers Jr. Barbara C. Jordan Andrew J. Young
Ronald V. Dellums Ralph H. Metcalfe
1 Senate Edward W. Brooke
94th Congress (1975-1977)
17 House Yvonne B. Burke Charles C. Diggs Jr. Parren J. Mitchell
Shirley A. Chisholm Walter E. Fauntroy Robert N.C. Nix Sr.
William L. Clay Sr. Harold E. Ford Sr. Charles B. Rangel
Cardiss Collins Augustus F. Hawkins Louis Stokes
John Conyers Jr. Barbara C. Jordan Andrew J. Young
Ronald V. Dellums Ralph W. Metcalfe
1 Senate Edward W. Brooke
93rd Congress (1973-1975)
16 House Yvonne B. Burke Charles C. Diggs Jr. Robert N.C. Nix Sr.





No. Chamber Names
Shirley A. Chisholm Walter E. Fauntroy Charles B. Rangel
William L. Clay Sr. Augustus F. Hawkins Louis Stokes
Cardiss Collins Barbara C. Jordan Andrew J. Young
John Conyers Jr. Ralph H. Metcalfe
Ronald V. Dellums Parren J. Mitchell
1 Senate Edward W. Brooke
92nd Congress (1971-1973)
13 House Shirley A. Chisholm Charles C. Diggs Jr. Robert N.C. Nix Sr.
William L. Clay Sr. Walter E. Fauntroy Charles B. Rangel
George W. Collins Augustus F. Hawkins Louis Stokes
John Conyers Jr. Ralph H. Metcalfe
Ronald V. Dellums Parren J. Mitchell
1 Senate Edward W. Brooke
91st Congress (1969-1971)
10 House Shirley A. Chisholm John Conyers Jr. Adam C. Powell Jr.
William L. Clay Sr. William L. Dawson Louis Stokes
George W. Collins Charles C. Diggs Jr.
Augustus F. Hawkins Robert N.C. Nix
1 Senate Edward W. Brooke
90th Congress (1967-1969)
5l House John Conyers Jr. Charles C. Diggs Jr. Robert N.C. Nix Sr.
William L. Dawson Augustus F. Hawkins
1 Senate Edward W. Brooke
89th Congress (1965-1967)
6 House John Conyers Jr. Charles Diggs Jr. Robert N.C. Nix Sr.
William L. Dawson Augustus F. Hawkins Adam Clayton Powell
Senate None
88th Congress (1963-1965)
5 House: William L. Dawson Augustus F. Hawkins Adam C. Powell Jr.
Charles C. Diggs Jr. Robert N.C. Nix Sr.
Senate None
85th - 87th Congresses (1957-1963)
4 House William L. Dawson Robert N.C. Nix Sr.
Charles C. Diggs Jr. Adam C. Powell Jr.
Senate None
84th Congress (1955-1957)
3 House William L. Dawson Charles C. Diggs Jr. Adam C. Powell Jr.





No. Chamber Names
79th - 83rd Congresses (1945-1955)
2 House William L. Dawson Adam C. Powell Jr.
Senate None
78th Congress (1943-1945)
1 House William L. Dawson
Senate None
74th - 77th Congresses (1935-1943)
1 House Arthur W. Mitchell
Senate None
71st - 73rd Congresses (1929-1935)
1 House Oscar S. DePriest
Senate None
57th - 70th Congresses (1901-1929)
House None
Senate None
55th - 56th Congresses (1897-1901)
1 House George H. White
Senate None
53rd - 54th Congresses (1893-1897)
1 House George W. Murray
Senate None
52nd Congress (1891-1893)
1 House Henry P. Cheatham
Senate None
51st Congress (1889-1891)
3 House Henry P. Cheatham John M. Langston Thomas E. Miller
Senate None
50th Congress (1887-1889)
House None
Senate None
48th - 49th Congresses (1883-1887)
2 House James E. O’Hara Robert Smalls
Senate None
47th Congress (1881-1883)
2 House John R. Lynch Robert Smalls
Senate None
46th Congress (1879-1881)





No. Chamber Names
House None
1 Senate Blanche K. Bruce
45th Congress (1877-1879)
3 House Richard H. Cain Joseph H. Rainey Robert Smalls
1 Senate Blanche K. Bruce
44th Congress (1875-1877)
7 House Jeremiah Haralson Charles E. Nash Josiah T. Walls
John A. Hyman Joseph H. Rainey
John R. Lynch Robert Smalls
1 Senate Blanche K. Bruce
43rd Congress (1873-1875)
7 House Richard H. Cain Joseph H. Rainey Josiah T. Walls
Robert B. Elliott Alonzo J. Ransier
John R. Lynch James T. Rapier
Senate None
42nd Congress (1871-1873)
5 House Robert C. DeLarge Joseph H. Rainey Josiah T. Walls
Robert B. Elliott Benjamin S. Turner
Senate None
41st Congress (1869-1871)m
2 House Jefferson F. Long Joseph H. Rainey
1 Senate Hiram R. Revels
a. Although 46 different African American individuals have been elected to the House for the 110th Congress,
42 is the largest number to serve at any one time. Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald died on Apr. 22, 2007,
and was replaced by Rep. Laura Richardson Sept. 4, 2007; Rep. Julia Carson died on Dec. 15, 2007, and was
replaced by Rep. André Carson on Mar. 13, 2008; Rep. Albert Wynn resigned on May 31, 2008, and was
replaced by Rep. Donna F. Edwards on June 19, 2008; and Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones died on Aug. 20,
2008, and was replaced by Rep. Marcia L. Fudge on Nov. 19, 2008.
b. Sen. Barack Obama resigned from the Senate on Nov. 16, 2008, after being elected President of the U.S.
c. Although 40 African American individuals were elected to the House for the 108th Congress, 39 was the
highest number to serve at any one time. Rep. Frank Ballance resigned and was replaced by Rep. G. K.
Butterfield.
d. Although 40 African American individuals were elected to the House for the 107th Congress, 39 was the
highest number to serve at any one time. Rep. Julian Dixon, who was reelected to the 107th Congress, died
before the commencement of the Congress and was later replaced by Rep. Diane Watson.
e. e. Although 41 African American individuals were elected to the House in the 105th Congress, 39 was the
highest number to serve at any one time. Rep. Floyd Flake resigned and was replaced by Rep. Gregory
Meeks, and Rep. Ron Dellums resigned and was replaced by Rep. Barbara Lee.
f. Although 43 African American individuals were elected to the House in the 104th Congress, 40 was the
highest number to serve at any one time. Rep. Melvin J. Reynolds resigned and was replaced by Rep. Jesse L.
Jackson Jr.; Rep. Walter Tucker resigned and was replaced by Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald; and Rep.
Kweisi Mfume resigned and was replaced by Rep. Elijah Cummings.





g. Although 40 African American individuals were elected to the House in the 103rd Congress, 39 was the
largest number to serve at any one time. Rep. Mike Espy resigned and was replaced by Rep. Bennie
Thompson.
h. Although 28 African American individuals were elected to the House in the 102nd Congress, 27 was the
largest number to serve at any one time. Rep. William H. Gray III resigned and was replaced by Rep. Lucien
Blackwell.
i. Although 25 African American individuals were elected to the House in the 101st Congress, 24 was the
largest number to serve at any one time. Rep. Mickey Leland, who was killed in an airplane crash, was
replaced by Rep. Craig Washington.
j. Although 22 African American individuals were elected to the House in the 98th Congress, 21 was the
largest number to serve at any one time. Rep. Harold Washington resigned and was replaced by Rep.
Charles Hayes.
k. Although 18 individuals were elected to the House in the 96th Congress, 17 was the largest number to
serve at any one time. Rep. Charles Diggs Jr. resigned and was replaced by Rep. George Crockett.
l. Rep. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. was reelected to the 90th Congress, but never took his seat.
m. There were no African American Members of the U.S. Congress until 1870, the 41st Congress, 2nd session.





Table 4. Number and Names of African American Members of Congress, by State
State Number Names Years of Service
Alabama 5 Benjamin S. Turner 1871-1873
James T. Rapier 1873-1875
Jeremiah Haralson 1875-1877
Earl F. Hilliard 1993-2003
Artur Davis 2003-
California 11 Augustus F. Hawkins 1963-1991
Ronald V. Dellums 1971-1998
Yvonne Braithwaite Burke 1973-1979
Julian C. Dixon 1979-2000
Mervyn M. Dymally 1981-1993
Maxine Waters 1991-
Walter R. Tucker 1993-1995
Juanita Millender-McDonald 1996-2007
Barbara Lee 1998-
Diane E. Watson 2001-
Laura Richardson 2007-
Connecticut 1 Gary A. Franks 1991-1997
District of Columbia 2 Walter E. Fauntroy 1971-1991
Eleanor Holmes Norton 1991-
Florida 5 Josiah T. Walls 1871-1876
Alcee L. Hastings 1993-
Corrine Brown 1993-
Carrie P. Meek 1993-2003
Kendrick Meek 2003-
Georgia 8 Jefferson F. Long 1870-1871
Andrew J. Young 1973-1977
John R. Lewis 1987-
Sanford D. Bishop Jr. 1993-
Cynthia A. McKinney 1993-2003,
2005-2007
Denise L. Majette 2003-2005
David Scott 2003-
Henry C. (Hank) Johnson Jr. 2007-
Illinois 16 Oscar S. DePriest 1929-1935
Arthur W. Mitchell 1935-1943
William L. Dawson 1943-1970





State Number Names Years of Service
George W. Collins 1970-1972
Ralph H. Metcalfe 1971-1978
Cardiss Collins 1973-1997
Bennett M. Stewart 1979-1981
Gus Savage 1981-1993
Harold D. Washington 1981-1983
Charles A. Hayes 1983-1993
Carol Moseley-Brauna 1993-1999
Melvin J. Reynolds 1993-1995
Bobby L. Rush 1993-
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. 1995-
Danny K. Davis 1997-
Barack Obamaa 2005-2008
Indiana 3 Katie B. Hall 1982-1985
Julia Carson 1997-2007
André Carson 2008-
Louisiana 3 Charles E. Nash 1875-1877
William J. Jefferson 1991-
Cleo Fields 1993-1997
Maryland 5 Parren J. Mitchell 1971-1987
Kweisi Mfume 1987-1996
Albert R. Wynn 1993-2008
Elijah E. Cummings 1996-
Donna Edwards 2008-
Massachusetts 1 Edward W. Brookea 1967-1979
Michigan 5 Charles C. Diggs Jr. 1955-1980
John Conyers Jr. 1965-
George W. Crockett 1980-1991
Barbara-Rose Collins 1991-1997
Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick 1997-
Minnesota 1 Keith Ellison 2007-
Mississippi 5 Hiram Rhodes Revelsa 1870-1871
John R. Lynch 1873-1877
1882-1883
Blanche K. Brucea 1875-1881
Albert M. (Mike) Espy 1987-1993
Bennie G. Thompson 1993-





State Number Names Years of Service
Missouri 4 William L. Clay Sr. 1969-2001
Alan D. Wheat 1983-1995
William Lacy Clay Jr. 2001-
Emanuel Cleaver 2005-
New Jersey 1 Donald M. Payne 1989-
New York 9 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. 1945-1967
1969-1971
Shirley A. Chisholm 1969-1983
Charles B. Rangel 1971-
Major R. Owens 1983-2007
Edolphus Towns 1983-
Alton R. Waldon Jr. 1986-1987
Floyd H. Flake 1987-1997
Gregory Meeks 1998-
Yvette D. Clarke 2007-
North Carolina 8 John A. Hyman 1875-1877
James E. O’Hara 1883-1887
Henry P. Cheatham 1889-1893
George H. White 1897-1901
Eva M. Clayton 1992-2003
Melvin L. Watt 1993-
Frank W. Ballance Jr. 2003-2004
G.K. Butterfield 2004-
Ohio 3 Louis Stokes 1969-1999
Stephanie Tubbs Jones 1999-2008
Marcia L. Fudge 2008-
Oklahoma 1 J.C. Watts Jr. 1995-2003
Pennsylvania 4 Robert N.C. Nix Sr. 1958-1979
William H. Gray III 1979-1991
Lucien E. Blackwell 1991-1995
Chaka Fattah 1995-
South Carolina 9 Joseph H. Rainey 1870-1879
Robert C. DeLarge 1871-1873
Robert B. Elliott 1871-1874
Richard H. Cain 1873-1875
1877-1879
Alonzo J. Ransier 1873-1875





State Number Names Years of Service
Robert Smalls 1875-1879
1882-1883
1884-1887
Thomas E. Miller 1890-1891
George W. Murray 1893-1895
1896-1897
James E. Clyburn 1993-
Tennessee 2 Harold E. Ford Sr. 1975-1997
Harold E. Ford Jr. 1997-2007
Texas 6 Barbara C. Jordan 1973-1979
George T. (Mickey) Leland 1979-1989
Craig A. Washington 1991-1995
Eddie Bernice Johnson 1993-
Sheila Jackson Lee 1995-
Al Green 2005-
Virginia 2 John M. Langston 1890-1891
Robert C. Scott 1993-
Virgin Islands 3 Melvin H. Evans 1979-1981
Victor O. Frazer 1995-1997
Donna M. Christian-Christensen 1997-
Wisconsin 1 Gwen Moore 2005-
a. Serves/served in the Senate.





Table 5. Number of African American Members in the U.S. Congress, 41st-110th
Congresses (1870-2008)
Congress Year Total African American Members of Congress African American Members of Housea African American 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



Congress Year Total African American Members of Congress African American Members of Housea African American 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



Congress Year Total African American Members of Congress African American Members of Housea African American 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



Congress Year Total African American Members of Congress African American Members of Housea African American Members of Senate
106th 1999-39 39 0
2001
107th 2001-39 39 0
2003
108th 2003-39 39 0
2005
109th 2005-43 42 1
2007
110th 2007-42b 42 b
2009
a. The numbers here reflect the highest number of African American Members to serve in the House at any
one time during a Congress. For example, a record number of 47 African American Members were elected th
to the 110 Congress, but only 43 have served at any one time during the Congress.
b. President-elect Barack Obama served in the Senate in the 110th Congress until his resignation on Nov. 16,
2008.
Mildred Amer
Specialist on the Congress
mamer@crs.loc.gov, 7-8304