US Congressman. He served in the United States House of Representatives from Michigan's 1st, 14th, and 13th Districts from January 3, 1965 to December 5, 2017. After graduating from high school, he first joined the Michigan National Guard and then the United States Army. He served a year in Korea as an officer in the United States Army Corps of Engineers and was awarded both combat and merit citations. He later served in the United States Army Reserves from 1954 to 1957. During this time, he attended Wayne State University and later earned both his B.A. and LL.B. from the university. He was later admitted to the state bar and served on the staff of Rep. John Dingell. During this time, he also served as counsel to three Detroit area union locals. From 1961 to 1963, he was a referee for Michigan's workmen compensation department. In 1964, he ran, as a Democrat, for the open 1st Congressional District of Michigan seat and was successful in the November general election. He went on to serve for 52 years in Congress before announcing his resignation due to sexual harassment allegations in 2017. During his tenure in Congress, he co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus and had a reputation as one of the House's most liberal members. He was instrumental in getting Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday declared a national holiday. He served as both the chairman of the House Government Operations Committee from 1989 to 1995 and the House Judiciary Commitee from 2007 to 2011. He also was the 44th Dean of the House from 2015 to 2017. He passed away in his sleep.
US Congressman. He served in the United States House of Representatives from Michigan's 1st, 14th, and 13th Districts from January 3, 1965 to December 5, 2017. After graduating from high school, he first joined the Michigan National Guard and then the United States Army. He served a year in Korea as an officer in the United States Army Corps of Engineers and was awarded both combat and merit citations. He later served in the United States Army Reserves from 1954 to 1957. During this time, he attended Wayne State University and later earned both his B.A. and LL.B. from the university. He was later admitted to the state bar and served on the staff of Rep. John Dingell. During this time, he also served as counsel to three Detroit area union locals. From 1961 to 1963, he was a referee for Michigan's workmen compensation department. In 1964, he ran, as a Democrat, for the open 1st Congressional District of Michigan seat and was successful in the November general election. He went on to serve for 52 years in Congress before announcing his resignation due to sexual harassment allegations in 2017. During his tenure in Congress, he co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus and had a reputation as one of the House's most liberal members. He was instrumental in getting Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday declared a national holiday. He served as both the chairman of the House Government Operations Committee from 1989 to 1995 and the House Judiciary Commitee from 2007 to 2011. He also was the 44th Dean of the House from 2015 to 2017. He passed away in his sleep.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
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