Parren Mitchell
Parren Mitchell | |
---|---|
Neal Smith | |
Succeeded by | John LaFalce |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 7th district | |
In office January 3, 1971 – January 3, 1987 | |
Preceded by | Samuel Friedel |
Succeeded by | Kweisi Mfume |
Personal details | |
Born | Parren James Mitchell April 29, 1922 Arlington, Virginia |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse |
Hazel Johnson
(m. 1958; died 1963) |
Relatives |
|
Education | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1942–1945 |
Unit | 92nd Infantry Division |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Parren James Mitchell (April 29, 1922 – May 28, 2007) was an American politician who served as a
Early life
Mitchell was born in
Before entering graduate school, Mitchell participated in the early civil rights activity in Baltimore. These included protests against segregated seating at Ford's Theatre in downtown Baltimore City, and unequal funding for teacher training programs in the city's segregated black school system in 1948.
Congressional career
In 1968, Mitchell challenged nine-term Democratic incumbent
Mitchell was one of the founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus.[3] Eventually, Nixon met the caucus weeks later.
In 1983 he joined with 7 other Congressional Representatives to sponsor a resolution to
During his 16-year career, he fought for affirmative action legislation. As Chairman of the Small Business Committee, Mitchell attached an amendment to a $4 billion public works bill that compelled state and local governments, seeking federal grants, to set aside 10% of the funds to retain minority firms as contractors and subcontractors.
Mitchell also mentored several dozen young up and coming leaders, several of whom still hold public office. Maryland House of Delegates majority whip Talmadge Branch was an early aide, Delegate Nathaniel Oaks volunteered in Mitchell's early campaigns, as did Delegates Sandy Rosenberg and Curt Anderson.
Mitchell initiated a congressional investigation into
Death and legacy
Mitchell died on May 28, 2007, of pneumonia at Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Towson, Maryland, after being hospitalized for a week. He was 85.
On June 5, 2007, more than 1,000 people paid their last respects to the Congressman at the St. James' Episcopal Church in west Baltimore. Maryland Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski paid tributes to Mitchell on behalf of the United States Senate; Speaker Nancy Pelosi paid tribute on behalf of the House of Representatives; Judiciary Chairman Representative John Conyers on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus; and Governor Martin O'Malley on behalf of the state of Maryland. Congressman Elijah Cummings delivered the eulogy saying: "He earned the trust of people throughout the country and the world because he was constantly building bridges for others to cross, while tearing down the walls that had excluded them."[6]
On December 3, 2015, the University of Maryland, College Park held a dedication ceremony renaming the Art/Sociology Building in his honor.[7]
In November 2023, Baltimore elected officials announced plans to renovate Mitchell's house into the West Baltimore Civic and Entrepreneurship Center, which will include a gallery showcasing his life and career in Congress. The renovations are expected to cost around $2.2 million, including $1.5 million in state funding, and will take two years to complete.[8]
See also
Notes
- ^ "Capturing the Movement: Before and After the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in Photographs". Maryland Historical Society, Underbelly Blog. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
- ^ a b "AP via Houston Chronicle, "Former Md. Rep. Parren Mitchell dies", May 29, 2007". Archived from the original on June 1, 2007. Retrieved May 29, 2007.
- ^ Martin, Douglas (May 30, 2007). "Parren Mitchell, 85, Congressman and Rights Leader, Dies". New York Times. Archived from the original on September 6, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2008.
- ISBN 9781595587350. Archivedfrom the original on December 30, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- ^ March Funeral Home, Editor. Parren J. Mitchell 1922–2007 Mass of Resurrection. Baltimore, Maryland 2007, pg. 2.
- ^ "Maryland Democratic Party". Archived from the original on September 28, 2007.
- ^ "University of Maryland Dedicates Art-Sociology Building Named for Late Congressman Parren Mitchell" (Press release). College Park, Maryland: PR Newswire. December 3, 2015. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
- Baltimore Banner. Archivedfrom the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
References
- United States Congress. "Parren Mitchell (id: M000826)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
External links
- Parren Mitchell's oral history video excerpts at The National Visionary Leadership Project
- Congressman Parren Mitchell House – Explore Baltimore Heritage
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- "An American Tragedy", Maryland Historical Society's Underbelly Blog