Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.

Rev Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (November 29 1908 – April 4 1972), American politician, was the first African American to become a powerful figure in the United States Congress. He was elected as house representative from Harlem in 1945, and became chair of the Labor and Education Committee in 1961. His tenure as commitee chairman saw the passage of important social legislation. His career was ended by a corruption scandal, and he was eventually replaced by Charles Rangel.

Congressman

In 1944 Powell was elected as a Democrat to the House of Representatives, representing the 22nd congressional district, which included Harlem. He was the first black Congressman from New York, and the first from any Northern state other than Illinois.

Related Topics:
1944 - Democrat - Harlem - New York - Illinois

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As one of only two black Congressmen, Powell challenged the informal ban on black representatives using Capitol facilities reserved for members only. He took black constituents to dine with him in the "whites only" House restaurant. He clashed with the many segregationists in his own party.

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In 1956 Powell broke party ranks and supported Dwight D. Eisenhower for reelection, saying that the Democratic platform's civil rights plank was too weak. In 1958 he survived a determined effort by the Tammany Hall machine to oust him in the Democratic primary election. In 1961, after 15 years in Congress, Powell became chairman of the powerful Education and Labor Committee. In this position he presided over federal programs for minimum wage increases, education and training for the deaf, vocational training and standards for wages and work hours, as well as aid to elementary and secondary education.

Related Topics:
1956 - Dwight D. Eisenhower - 1958 - Tammany Hall - Primary election - 1961

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By the mid-1960s Powell was being increasingly criticised for mismanagement of the committee budget, taking trips abroad at public expense and missing sittings of his committee. He was also under fire in his district, where his refusal to pay a slander judgment made him subject to arrest. He spent increasing amounts of time in Florida and displayed his wealth more than was wise for a Congressman representing a poor district.

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In January 1967, following allegations that Powell had misappropriated Committee funds for his personal use and other corruption allegations, the House Democratic Caucus stripped Powell of his committee chairmanship. The full House refused to seat him until completion of an investigation by the Judiciary Committee. In March the House voted 307 to 116 to exclude him. Powell won the special election in April to fill the vacancy caused by his exclusion, but did not take his seat.

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In June 1969 the Supreme Court ruled that the House had acted unconstitutionally when it excluded Powell, and he returned to the House, but without his seniority. Again his absenteeism was increasingly noted. In June 1970 he was defeated in the Democratic primary by Charles B. Rangel, who has represented the area ever since. Powell failed to get on the ballot for the November election as an independent. He resigned as minister at the Abyssinian Baptist Church and moved to Miami, where he died in 1972 at the age of 63.

Related Topics:
Supreme Court - Charles B. Rangel - Miami - 1972

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