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The Congressional Black Caucus |
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The Congressional Black Caucus was formed in 1969 when the 13 Black Members of the U.S. House of Representatives joined together to strengthen their efforts to address the legislative concerns of Black and minority citizens. African American Representatives had increased in number from six in 1966 to nine, following the 1969 elections. Those Members believed that a Black Caucus in Congress, speaking with a single voice, would provide political influence and visibility far beyond their numbers.
The Caucus received its first national recognition when its Members met with former President Richard Nixon in March, 1971 and presented him a list of 60 recommendations for governmental action on domestic and foreign issues. The President's response, considered inadequate by the Caucus, further strengthened their efforts to work together in Congress.
Today, there are 39 Members of the Congressional Black Caucus representing many of the largest and most populated urban centers in the country, together with some of the most expansive and rural Congressional districts in the nation. These Members, now as in the past, have been called upon to work as advocates for America's varied constituent interests--developing an ever-expanding legislative agenda -- as well as addressing the concerns of their own particular districts. Additionally, the '92 elections yielded the second African American Senator of this century and the first African American woman -- Carol Moseley Braun.
The visions and goals of the original 13 members, "to promote the public welfare through legislation designed to meet the needs of millions of neglected citizens," have been reaffirmed through the legislative and political successes of the Caucus. The CBC has been involved in legislative initiatives ranging from full employment to welfare reform, South African apartheid and international human rights, from minority business development to expanded educational opportunities. Most noteworthy is the CBC Alternative budget which the Caucus has produced continually for over 16 years. Historically, the CBC Alternative Budget policies depart significantly from Administration Budget recommendations as the Caucus seeks to preserve a national commitment to fair treatment for urban and rural America, the elderly, students, small businessmen and women, middle and low income wage earners, the economically disadvantaged and a new world order.
In the thirty-two years since its founding, Caucus Members have been successful in rising to strategic positions on House Committees to affect needed changes in federal policies. Never afraid to tackle the most serious social issues, CBC Members are regularly referred to as the "conscience of Congress."
Special thanks to former Executive Director of the CBC, Ms. Amelia L. Parker in preparing this brief history.
Founding Membersof the Congressional Black Caucus
Rep. Parren Mitchell, Maryland Rep. Charles Diggs, Michigan Rep. Robert Nix, Pennsylvania Rep. John Conyers, Michigan Rep. Gus Hawkins, California Rep. Walter Fauntroy, Washington D.C. Rep. Charles Rangel, New York Rep. Ronald Dellums, California Rep. William Clay, Missouri Rep. Shirley Chisholm, New York Rep. George Collins, Illinois Rep. Ralph Metcalf, Illinois Rep. Louis Stokes, Ohio
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Former Chairsof the Congressional Black Caucus
The Honorable Charles C. Diggs (Michigan)-- 1971
1st Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 92nd Congress (1st Session)
The Honorable Louis Stokes(Ohio)-- 1972 -1973
2nd Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 92nd Congress (2nd Session) 93rd Congress
(1st Session)
The Honorable Charles B. Rangel(New York)-- 1974-1975
3rd Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 93rd Congress (2nd Session) 94th Congress
(1st Session)
The Honorable Yvonne B. Burke (California)--1976
4th Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 94th Congress (2nd Session)
The Honorable Parren J. Mitchell(Maryland)--1977-1978
5th Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 95th Congress
The Honorable Cardiss Collins(Illinois)--1979-1980
6th Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 96th Congress
The Honorable Walter E. Fauntroy (D. C.)--1981-1982
7th Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 97th Congress
The Honorable Julian C. Dixon (California)--1983-1984
8th Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 98th Congress
The Honorable George (Mickey) Leland(Texas)--1985-1986
9th Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 99th Congress
The Honorable Mervyn M. Dymally(California)--1987-1988
10th Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 100th Congress
The Honorable Ronald V. Dellums(California)--1989-1990
11th Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 101st Congress
The Honorable Edolphus Towns(New York)--1991-1992
12th Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 102nd Congress
The Honorable Kweisi Mfume(Maryland)--1993-1994
13th Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 103rd Congress
The Honorable Donald M. Payne(New Jersey)--1995-1996
14th Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 104th Congress
The Honorable Maxine Waters(California)--1997-1998
15th Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 105th Congress
The Honorable James Clyburn (South Carolina)--1998-2000
16th Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 106th Congress
The Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson(Texas)--2001-2002
17th Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 107th Congress
Congressional Research Service Report on Black Members of Congress 1789-2001
During a ceremony to award Jackie Robinson with the Congressional Gold Medalin the Capitol Rotunda to the late baseball legend Jackie Robinson, the first black baseball player to break major league baseball's racial barrier in 1947, members of the Congressional Black Caucus were asked to stand in tribute as a symbol of civil rights advances, in Washington, Wednesday, March 2, 2005. Standing from left to right are: Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., and Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Ohio. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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