Washington had previously served in the Illinois State Senate and the Illinois House of Representatives from 1965 until 1976. ==Biography== ===Ancestry=== The earliest known ancestor of Harold Lee Washington, Isam/Isham Washington, was born a slave in 1832 in North Carolina.
In 1864 he enlisted in the 8th United States Colored Heavy Artillery, Company L, in Paducah, Kentucky.
Following his discharge in 1866, he began farming with his wife Rebecca Neal in Ballard County, Kentucky.
Among their six children was Isam/Isom McDaniel (Mack) Washington, who was born in 1875.
In 1896, Mack Washington had married Arbella Weeks of Massac County, who had been born in Mississippi in 1878.
In 1896, Mack Washington had married Arbella Weeks of Massac County, who had been born in Mississippi in 1878.
In 1897, their first son, Roy L.
In 1903, shortly after both families moved to Massac County, Illinois, the elder Washington died.
While still in high school in Lawrenceville, Illinois, Roy met Bertha from nearby Carrier Mills and the two married in 1916 in Harrisburg, Illinois.
In 1918, daughter Geneva was born and second son Edward was born in 1920.
In 1918, daughter Geneva was born and second son Edward was born in 1920.
Harold Lee Washington (April 15, 1922 – November 25, 1987) was an American lawyer and politician who was the 51st Mayor of Chicago.
Washington died in 1953. ===Early life and education=== Harold Lee Washington was born on April 15, 1922, at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, to Roy and Bertha Washington.
Bertha left the family, possibly to seek her fortune as a singer, and the couple divorced in 1928.
After attending St Benedict the Moor Boarding School in Milwaukee from 1928 to 1932, Washington attended DuSable High School, then a newly established racially segregated public high school, and was a member of its first graduating class.
After attending St Benedict the Moor Boarding School in Milwaukee from 1928 to 1932, Washington attended DuSable High School, then a newly established racially segregated public high school, and was a member of its first graduating class.
In a 1939 citywide track meet, Washington placed first in the 110-meter high hurdles event, and second in the 220-meter low hurdles event.
With the opportunities found only at Roosevelt College in the late 1940s, Washington's time at the Roosevelt College proved to be pivotal.
was drawn into World War II with the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on Sunday, December 7, 1941. ===Military service=== In 1942, Washington was drafted into the United States Army for the war effort and after basic training, sent overseas as part of a racially segregated unit of the U.S.
was drawn into World War II with the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on Sunday, December 7, 1941. ===Military service=== In 1942, Washington was drafted into the United States Army for the war effort and after basic training, sent overseas as part of a racially segregated unit of the U.S.
After the American invasion of the Philippines in 1944, on Leyte Island and later the main Luzon island, Washington was part of a unit building runways for bombers, protective fighter aircraft, refueling planes, and returning damaged aircraft.
Army Air Forces). ===Roosevelt College=== In the summer of 1946, Washington, aged 24 and a war veteran, enrolled at Roosevelt College (now Roosevelt University).
At the first regional meeting of the newly founded National Student Association in the spring of 1948, Washington and nine other delegates proposed student representation on college faculties, and a "Bill of Rights" for students; both measures were roundly defeated.
He led students' opposition to the bills, although they would pass later in 1949. During his Roosevelt College years, Washington came to be known for his stability.
Washington graduated in August 1949, with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree.
In 1951, his last year, he was elected treasurer of the Junior Bar Association (JBA).
He received his JD in 1952. == Legislative political career == === Working for Metcalfe (1951–1965)=== From 1951 until he was first slated for election in 1965, Washington worked in the offices of the 3rd Ward Alderman, former Olympic athlete Ralph Metcalfe.
After farming for a time, Mack Washington became a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, serving numerous churches in Illinois until the death of his wife in 1952.
He received his JD in 1952. == Legislative political career == === Working for Metcalfe (1951–1965)=== From 1951 until he was first slated for election in 1965, Washington worked in the offices of the 3rd Ward Alderman, former Olympic athlete Ralph Metcalfe.
Daley was elected party chairman in 1952.
Washington died in 1953. ===Early life and education=== Harold Lee Washington was born on April 15, 1922, at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, to Roy and Bertha Washington.
Under Metcalfe, the 3rd Ward was a critical factor in Mayor Daley's 1955 mayoral election victory and ranked first in the city in the size of its Democratic plurality in 1961.
I just knew the day would come." In 1959 Al Janney, Gus Savage, Lemuel Bentley, Bennett Johnson, Luster Jackson and others founded the Chicago League of Negro Voters, one of the first African-American political organizations in the city.
Under Metcalfe, the 3rd Ward was a critical factor in Mayor Daley's 1955 mayoral election victory and ranked first in the city in the size of its Democratic plurality in 1961.
In 1963 the group moved to racially integrate and formed Protest at the Polls at a citywide conference which Washington independent candidates had gained traction within the black community, winning several aldermanic seats.
The League of Negro Voters created a "Third Slate" of 59 candidates, announcing the slate on June 27, 1964.
In addition, he worked on a state Civil Rights Act, which would strengthen employment and housing provisions in the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964.
In November 1966, Washington was re-elected to the House over Daley's strong objections; the first complaint was filed in 1964; the second was filed by January 1967.
Washington had previously served in the Illinois State Senate and the Illinois House of Representatives from 1965 until 1976. ==Biography== ===Ancestry=== The earliest known ancestor of Harold Lee Washington, Isam/Isham Washington, was born a slave in 1832 in North Carolina.
He received his JD in 1952. == Legislative political career == === Working for Metcalfe (1951–1965)=== From 1951 until he was first slated for election in 1965, Washington worked in the offices of the 3rd Ward Alderman, former Olympic athlete Ralph Metcalfe.
By then, the YDs were losing to independent candidates. === Illinois House (1965–1976) === After the state legislature failed to reapportion districts as required by the census every ten years, an at-large election was held in January 1965 to elect 177 representatives.
In November 1966, Washington was re-elected to the House over Daley's strong objections; the first complaint was filed in 1964; the second was filed by January 1967.
In 1967, he was ranked by the Independent Voters of Illinois (IVI) as the fourth-most independent legislator in the Illinois House and named Best Legislator of the Year.
In November 1966, Washington was re-elected to the House over Daley's strong objections; the first complaint was filed in 1964; the second was filed by January 1967.
A letter asking Washington to explain the matter was sent on January 5, 1967.
After the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., he introduced a series of bills aimed at making King's birthday a state holiday.
After failing to respond to numerous summons and subpoenas, the commission recommend a five-year suspension on March 18, 1968.
In 1969, Daley removed Washington's name from the slate; only by the intervention of Cecil Partee, a party loyalist, was Washington reinstated.
A formal response to the charges did not occur until July 10, 1969.
It was not until 1973 that Washington was able, with Partee's help in the Senate, to have the bill enacted and signed by the governor. ====1975 speakership campaign==== Washington ran a largely symbolic campaign for Speaker.
Redmond after 92 rounds of voting. Redmond had Washington appointed as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. ===Illinois Senate (1976–1980)=== ====Campaign for Illinois Senate==== In 1975, Partee, now President of the Senate and eligible for his pension, decided to retire from the Senate.
Daley had been displeased with Washington for having run a symbolic challenge in 1975 to Daley-backed Clyde Choate for Illinois Speaker of the House (Washington had only received two votes).
Washington had previously served in the Illinois State Senate and the Illinois House of Representatives from 1965 until 1976. ==Biography== ===Ancestry=== The earliest known ancestor of Harold Lee Washington, Isam/Isham Washington, was born a slave in 1832 in North Carolina.
Thompson reorganized low-profile departments before his re-election in 1978.
In 1979, during the early stages of his second term and immediately in the aftermath of the largest vote for a gubernatorial candidate in the state's history, Thompson called for human rights reorganization.
Washington made adjustments in anticipation of some legislators' concerns regarding the bill, before speaking for it in April 1979.
On May 24, 1979, the bill passed the Senate by a vote of 59 to 1, with two voting present and six absent.
On June 30, 1979, the legislature adjourned. ===U.S.
He went on to win the general election. ====Human Rights Act of 1980==== In the Illinois Senate, Washington's main focus worked to pass 1980's Illinois Human Rights Act.
House (1981–1983)=== In 1980, Washington was elected to the U.S.
House of Representatives from 1981 to 1983, representing Illinois's first district.
Anticipating that the Democratic Party would challenge him in his bid for re-nomination in 1982, Washington spent much of his first term campaigning for re-election, often travelling back to Chicago to campaign.
By the time Washington faced re-election in 1982, he had cemented his popularity in the 1st Congressional District.
Washington became the first African American to be elected as the city's mayor in April 1983 after a multiracial coalition of progressives supported his election.
He served as mayor from April 29, 1983 until his death on November 25, 1987.
House of Representatives from 1981 to 1983, representing Illinois's first district.
They dated for the next 20 years, and in 1983 Washington proposed to Smith.
In 1983, Protest at the Polls was instrumental in Washington's run for mayor.
Washington missed many House votes, an issue that would come up in his campaign for mayor in 1983.
With his re-election to Congress locked up, Washington turned his attention to the next Chicago mayoral election. ==Mayor of Chicago (1983–1987)== ===1983 Chicago mayoral election=== In the February 22, 1983, Democratic mayoral primary, more than 100,000 new voters registered to vote led by a coalition that included the Latino reformed gang Young Lords led by Jose Cha Cha Jimenez.
In the April 12, 1983, mayoral general election, Washington defeated Epton by 3.7%, 51.7% to 48.0%, to become mayor of Chicago.
Washington was sworn in as mayor on April 29, 1983, and resigned his Congressional seat the following day. === First term and Council Wars === During his tenure as mayor, Washington lived at the Hampton House apartments in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago.
During Washington's short second term, the Eddies lost much of their power: Vrdolyak became a Republican, Kelly was removed from his powerful parks post, and Burke lost his Finance Committee chairmanship. ===Political Education Project (PEP)=== From March 1984 to 1987, the Political Education Project (PEP) served as Washington's political arm, organizing both Washington's campaigns and the campaigns of his political allies.
Harold Washington established the Political Education Project in 1984.
PEP helped organize political candidates for statewide elections in 1984 and managed Washington's participation in the 1984 Democratic National Convention as a "favorite son" presidential candidate.
During special elections in 1986, victorious Washington-backed candidates in the first round ensured at least 24 supporters in the city council.
Harold Lee Washington (April 15, 1922 – November 25, 1987) was an American lawyer and politician who was the 51st Mayor of Chicago.
He served as mayor from April 29, 1983 until his death on November 25, 1987.
During Washington's short second term, the Eddies lost much of their power: Vrdolyak became a Republican, Kelly was removed from his powerful parks post, and Burke lost his Finance Committee chairmanship. ===Political Education Project (PEP)=== From March 1984 to 1987, the Political Education Project (PEP) served as Washington's political arm, organizing both Washington's campaigns and the campaigns of his political allies.
Due to PEP's efforts, Washington's City Council legislation gained ground and his popularity grew as the 1987 mayoral election approached.
In preparation for the 1987 mayoral election, PEP formed the Committee to Re-Elect Mayor Washington.
Washington pleaded "no contest" and was sentenced to forty days in Cook County Jail, a $1,000 fine, and three years of probation. ==Death and funeral== On November 25, 1987, at 11:00 am, Chicago Fire Department paramedics were called to City Hall.
Thousands of Chicagoans attended his wake in the lobby of City Hall between November 27 and 29, 1987.
On November 30, 1987, Reverend B.
On January 6, 1988, Dr.
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