Lucien Blackwell

Lucien Blackwell
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 2nd district
In office November 5, 1991 – January 3, 1995
Preceded by	William Gray
Succeeded by	Chaka Fattah
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 188th district
In office January 2, 1973 – November 30, 1976
Preceded by	James O'Donnell
Succeeded by	Alija Dumas
Member of the Philadelphia City Council from the 3rd District
In office January 7, 1974 – February 7, 1991
Preceded by	Charles L. Durham
Succeeded by	Jannie Blackwell
Personal details
Born	Lucien Edward Blackwell August 1, 1931 Whitsett, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	January 24, 2003(2003-01-24) (aged 71) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Jannie Blackwell
Children	Thomas W. Blackwell

Lucien Edward Blackwell (August 1, 1931 – January 24, 2003) was an American boxer, longshoreman, and politician. He served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1973 to 1975, Philadelphia City Council from 1975 to 1991, and the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 1995.

Early life

Blackwell was born in Whitsett, Fayette County, Pennsylvania on August 1, 1931. After attending West Philadelphia High School, he took a job as a dockworker and briefly pursued a career as a boxer. In 1953, he was drafted into the United States Army and served in the Korean War. Blackwell was a boxing champion during his years in the Army. After his service ended, he returned to the docks as a longshoreman. In 1973, he became the president of the International Longshoremen's Association, Local 1332.

Pennsylvania politics

Blackwell's professional political career began with election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives where he served from 1973 to 1975.

Philadelphia City Council

"Lucien the Solution" was best known as a vibrant member of the Philadelphia City Council from 1975 to 1991. While serving on the Council, Blackwell served several terms as Chairman of the Finance Committee, where he led the charge to divest pension funds from businesses doing business in South Africa. Blackwell also sponsored the Philadelphia's first law to create opportunities for minorities and women to compete to obtain city contracts. Blackwell was also heavily involved in legislation to create the Pennsylvania Convention Center and in passing the law that broke Philadelphia's long-standing building height limit, allowing for the construction of Philadelphia's One Liberty Place. Blackwell was perhaps best known for his fiery oratory on the Council floor and for serving as a mentor to the former Philadelphia Mayor (and Council President) John Street. During his City Council tenure, Blackwell was an unsuccessful candidate for mayor of Philadelphia in both 1979 and 1991.

United States House of Representatives

Blackwell was elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Second Congress by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative Bill Gray, and reelected to the succeeding Congress. In Congress, Blackwell was a member of the United States House Committee on the Budget and a reliable advocate for President Bill Clinton's economic policies.

Blackwell was ultimately an unsuccessful candidate for renomination to the One Hundred Fourth Congress in 1994, losing the primary to Chaka Fattah, and served as lobbyist following his tenure in Congress.

Death and legacy

On January 24, 2003, Blackwell died at the age of 71. A mural reading "Thank you, Mr. Blackwell", can be seen at 42nd Street and Haverford Avenue in West Philadelphia. The Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library at the corner of Sansom and 52nd Street is named in his honor. Blackwell's widow, Jannie Blackwell, was formerly a member of the Philadelphia City Council, also representing the Third District, and his son, Thomas, was a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

See also

• List of African-American United States representatives

External links

• United States Congress. "Lucien Blackwell (id: B000517)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2008-07-20
• Lucien Blackwell at Find a Grave
• The Political Graveyard
• Appearances on C-SPAN