John Conyers Jr.
Biography of John Conyers Jr.
John James Conyers Jr. (May 16, 1929 – October 27, 2019) was a long-serving Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan, representing Detroit and its surrounding areas from 1965 to 2017. His career spanned more than five decades, making him one of the longest-serving members of Congress in U.S. history.
Representative Conyers:
- Was a founding Member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) in 1971, an influential group aimed at addressing legislative concerns of African Americans and marginalized communities.
- Was instrumental in pushing for the establishment of a federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which became law in 1983.
- Supported universal healthcare and workers' rights, emphasizing policies that benefitted Detroit's labor-heavy constituency.
- Introduced HR 40, a bill to study reparations for African Americans, in every Congress from 1989 until his retirement. It sought to address the legacy of slavery and systemic racism.
- Served as the Ranking Member (and at times Chair) of the House Judiciary Committee.
- Was a vocal opponent of the Iraq War, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic solutions over military intervention.
Conyers son, John Conyers III, penned a tribute to his father, My Father’s House: An Ode to America’s Longest-Serving Black Congressman
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