112th Congress, 2nd Session
March 09, 1871
On this date, Oscar Stanton De Priest, the first African American elected to Congress during the 20th century, was born.
November 29, 1908
On this date, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., the first African American to represent New York in Congress, was born.
April 15, 1929
On this date, Speaker Nicholas Longworth of Ohio changed the tradition of swearing in new Members by state delegations to swearing in all Members simultaneously.
January 23, 1934
On this date, Representative Oscar De Priest of Illinois introduced a resolution to end Jim Crow discrimination in the House Restaurant.
November 07, 1934
On this date, Arthur Mitchell defeated Oscar De Priest in the general election for the First District of Illinois to become the first African-American Democrat elected to Congress.
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House LegislationHave students search the highlight dates and locate reference to any legislative document (bill, resolution, speech, etc.). Ask students to track down the document at a local depository library. Students should research the historical background of the document and make a brief presentation which includes reading all or portions of the document aloud. To locate a nearby federal depository library go to http://catalog.gpo.gov.
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