111th Congress, 2nd Session
Frank Mitchell, the first African-American Page
April 14, 1965
On this date, Frank Mitchell became the first African-American Page in the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Paul Findley of Illinois made the historic appointment the day after Senator Jacob Javits of New York named Lawrence Wallace Bradford, Jr. the first black Page in the Senate. Mitchell’s appointment and arrival in Washington, D.C. received national media attention. Congressman Findley, Minority Leader and future President Gerald Ford of Michigan, and Republican Whip Leslie Arends of Illinois hosted a press conference at the Capitol to discuss the groundbreaking event. “This marks an historic moment in the history of the House of Representatives,” Ford observed. Findley, who represented portions of the congressional district once represented by President Abraham Lincoln during the 30th Congress (1847–1849), added, “The party of Lincoln is finally giving this very proper recognition to the Negro race.” The 15-year-old Mitchell, a resident of Springfield, Illinois, began his official page duties the day after his appointment on the centennial anniversary of Lincoln’s assassination. “I think it’s a great honor and a privilege,” Mitchell remarked when asked about his new position, adding, “I’m mighty proud to be here.”
Related Highlight Subjects
Cite this Highlight
Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk, http://clerk.house.gov/art_history/highlights.html?action=view&intID=134, (December 02, 2010).For Additional Information
Office of History and Preservation(202) 226-1300
history@mail.house.gov
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At the age of 15, Frank Mitchell broke racial barriers when he was officially named a House Page in 1965.
Collection of U.S. House of Representatives
Teaching Tip
Pages in the House
Ask students to locate a highlight date pertaining to congressional Pages. Have students use the highlight and additional research if necessary to provide insight into the daily life (both ordinary and extraordinary) of congressional Pages.
