Largest number of black reps. sworn in to U.S. House of Representatives - includes a listing of the 40 African American representatives

Jet, Jan 25, 1993

It wasn't your typical Capitol Hill affair. This time it was history. The largest number of Blacks ever was sworn in as members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

As members of the 103rd Congress took their vows the first week of the new year, supporters from across the country assembled in the nation's capital to watch them. So crowded was the historic affair, the 3,000 supporters of the 40 Black congressional representatives who had come to witness it had to view the ceremony on closed circuit television.

Following the momentous event, the Congressional Black Caucus held its own ceremonial swearing-in at the National Building Museum, where members and their guests mixed and mingled and basked in the historic nature of the moment.

Freshmen and veteran members offered congratulations, political and social advice, and pledged their mutual support for their constituents.

"It was the coming of this Congress that was foretold by Rep. (George W.) White in 1901," said Caucus Chairman Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D., Md.,) referring to White's prediction that Blacks would one day hold significant power in Congress. "We are the phoenix, rising from the ashes and soaring free and unfettered in the clear blue sky in this 103rd Congress," declared Mfume.

Ironically, both the youngest and oldest members of Congress are Black: 66-year-old Carrie Meek of Florida and 30-year-old Cleo Fields of Louisiana.