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FORMER MEMBERS H 1971–2007 ������������������������������������������������������������������������ Lucien Edward Blackwell 1931–2003 UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE H 1991–1995 DEMOCRAT FROM PENNSYLVANIA long-time resident of West Philadelphia, Lucien medal.3 After returning to civilian life, he joined the A Blackwell appealed to his primarily African-American, International Longshoreman’s Union, serving as president blue-collar constituents because of his image as a “common of its Philadelphia branch from 1973 to 1991. Blackwell man.” The popular former city councilman successfully married and divorced at a young age. He met his second navigated Philadelphia’s Democratic Party machinery, wife, Jannie, while she was teaching at a school attended emerging as one of the city’s most recognized politicians. by his sons, Lucien, Jr., and Thomas W. Blackwell IV.4 The Making his congressional debut in a special election to couple married in 1972 and had four daughters: Patricia, succeed powerful Representative William (Bill) Gray III, Barbara, Brenda, and Audrey. the former union president focused on helping working- Blackwell’s union work introduced him to politics. class Americans who were suffering from the recession of Living in a predominantly black, liberal neighborhood, he the early 1990s. “The American worker is marching down was a self-described Democrat “from the tip of my head the street asking for unemployment compensation because to the bottom of my feet.”5 Blackwell first served in the he has lost his job,” Blackwell said to his colleagues. “I ask Pennsylvania house of representatives from 1973 to 1975, every Congressman who does not vote for unemployment but he made his mark as a Philadelphia city councilman, compensation tonight, give up your wages, give up holding the office from 1975 to 1991. Blackwell earned your employment, give up what you’ve earned here, and the nickname “Lucien the Solution” for his attention then tell me it is all right to live off nothing.”1 However, to the needs of his constituents in West and South Blackwell’s congressional career, marking a transitional Philadelphia. He ran unsuccessfully for Philadelphia phase in Philadelphia politics, proved to be short as the mayor as the Consumer Party candidate in 1979 against 73-year-old machine politician contended with a new controversial incumbent Frank Rizzo, who was under generation of black leaders. investigation for fostering police brutality in Blackwell’s Lucien Edward Blackwell was born on August 1, 1931, Ward. Both Rizzo and Blackwell lost to Democrat William to Thomas and Mary Blackwell in Whiset, Pennsylvania. J. Green. In 1986, Blackwell lost a bid for the Democratic He had at least one sibling, a sister named Audrey.2 city committee chairmanship to future Representative As a young child, Lucien Blackwell moved to a West Robert A. Brady. He nevertheless held key chairmanships Philadelphia neighborhood known as “the Bottom,” of two Philadelphia political groups: the Black Elected where his father opened a grocery store. He lived in that Officials and the United Black Ward Leaders. In 1991, neighborhood all his life. Lucien Blackwell dropped out Blackwell made his second mayoral run, finishing of West Philadelphia High School in 1947 to take a job as second to eventual winner Edward Rendell in a hotly a dockworker on the Philadelphia waterfront. He briefly contested Democratic primary. Blackwell’s first taste of pursued a boxing career, winning a novice Diamond national politics came through his work on Jesse Jackson’s Belt Championship in 1949 before being drafted into presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988. the United States Army in 1953 to fight in the Korean In June 1991, Representative Bill Gray, the House War. During his military service, he was awarded a unit Majority Whip and third-ranking Democrat, retired commendation, two bronze stars, and a good conduct abruptly from his seat encompassing West Philadelphia, 590 H BlacK AMERICANS IN CONGRESS Image courtesy of PHILA D EL P HIA INQUIRER H EDWARD W. BURKE H PORTRAIT H LUCIEN EDWARD BLACKWELL H which boasted a black majority (82 percent) and a long to a bloc of wealthier white voters in the northwestern Democratic voting record. Believing that the special section of the city. Well funded by national women’s groups election would take place on November 5—the same day and civil rights leaders, Tucker accused Blackwell of being Philadelphia voters would select a new mayor and a United a “puppet” of the Philadelphia party bosses. Blackwell States Senator—Blackwell declared his intention to run emphasized his party and union support. Although Tucker for the vacant seat and quickly became the front-runner. won favor in the district’s new neighborhoods, Blackwell However, Gray postponed his resignation until September, defeated her with 54 percent of the vote. He went on to citing the need to train the new House Majority Whip, defeat Republican Larry Hollin with a sound 77 percent Representative David Bonior of Michigan. According to in the general election.8 Pennsylvania state law, special elections could take place In the House, Blackwell received appointments to the no sooner than 60 days after a former Member resigned. Public Works Committee and the Merchant Marine and Gray’s late departure pushed the special election back to Fisheries Committee. Blackwell also served as a member early 1992, leaving Blackwell’s rivals a chance to organize of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). In the 103rd their campaigns. Blackwell supporters accused Gray Congress, overwhelming turnover allowed him to make of thwarting their candidate’s chances, as the two had the largest jump in seniority of any returning Member.9 previously been political rivals.6 A federal court denied Blackwell traded his assignment on Merchant Marine and Blackwell’s request to return the election date to November Fisheries for a coveted position on the Budget Committee, 5; however, he subsequently appealed to the Pennsylvania formerly chaired by his predecessor, Representative Bill state court, which ruled in his favor on October 1. During Gray, in the 99th and 100th Congresses (1985–1989). Yet a whirlwind campaign the following month, Democratic Blackwell retained his “common man” appeal. He claimed ward leaders overwhelmingly supported Blackwell, as he was not seeking powerful committee or leadership many district residents voted a straight Democratic ticket. posts, saying, “I come here not in a braggadocio way.”10 Blackwell’s closest rivals included the young, charismatic Instead, his focus throughout his congressional career was state senator Chaka Fattah, a Democrat who was running improving the quality of life of his Philadelphia neighbors. as a Consumer Party candidate; and the former head of He was known for bringing federal dollars to the district.11 the Pennsylvania welfare department, John F. White, Blackwell’s constituent-centered agenda—and the Jr., who was running as an Independent. Drawing upon focus of the 102nd and 103rd Congresses as well as that the strength of the Democratic machine and his rapport of President William J. (Bill) Clinton—included lifting as councilman with the city’s working class, Blackwell the national economy out of a recession. He agreed with prevailed with 39 percent of the vote. Fattah and White Democratic colleagues who opposed an amendment to each won 28 percent.7 Blackwell took his seat in the 102nd the Constitution requiring a balanced federal budget. Congress (1991–1993) on November 13, 1991. Blackwell feared most politicians “believe that a balanced Just five months later, Blackwell faced C. Delores budget amendment is a magic wand. One quick wave Tucker in the Democratic primary for the 103rd Congress over the document that represents the heart and soul of (1993–1995). Having been considered by the Democratic this nation, and the budget will be balanced, the economy machine the previous November, Tucker—a black woman restored, and the recession shattered by this almighty who was formerly the secretary of the Commonwealth amendment.”12 He asserted that reducing the deficit was of Pennsylvania—proved a formidable opponent. necessary to improve the economy and recommended Redistricting had cut the black majority in the district to that Congress take steps toward this goal by providing 62 percent, forcing both candidates to broaden their appeal new jobs, creating fair trade, changing tax laws, enacting 592 H BlacK AMERICANS IN CONGRESS former members | 1971–2007 H 593 H LUCIEN EDWARD BLACKWELL H national health insurance legislation, and improving inability to connect with the district’s white voters. Among life in American cities. Blackwell also joined fellow a younger generation of black politicians, the youthful Democrats in supporting the Clinton administration’s community activist Fattah proved better able to bridge economic initiatives, proposed in February 1993, which the gaps between the city’s races.16 The challenger defeated called for reduced federal spending and tax increases for Blackwell with 58 to 42 percent of the vote. In his the wealthy.13 concession speech Blackwell said, “What I have to do now Drawing on his union experience, Blackwell acted as is take a look at Lucien Blackwell and see what God has an advocate for unemployed laborers. He introduced a in store for him. And I’ll show you that God isn’t through bill in the 102nd Congress to protect the credit ratings with me yet.”17 of employees who had lost their jobs because their In May 1995, Blackwell joined the Washington-based employers relocated overseas. Blackwell backed the Clinton lobbying firm Whitten & Diamond, which boasted the reform package guaranteeing all Americans basic health City of Philadelphia as one of its largest clients. Blackwell coverage, and he supported family medical leave to care used his congressional connections, particularly through for family members who were unwell. He also sponsored the CBC, to work on defense conversion as well as welfare a bill to protect job applicants from discrimination reform.18 He also acted as a consultant for a Philadelphia based on genetic factors, such as vulnerability to certain debt collection company.

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