Former congressman Parren J. Mitchell died at the age of 85 on Memorial Day. Mitchell was the founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, and he was also known for participating in the civil rights movement. In 1970 Mitchell became the first black congressman in Maryland. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and served eight terms. He stepped down from the position in 1986.
Parren Mitchell came from a family who was one of the most prominent civil rights families in the country. They were given the name the "black Kennedy’s" for their service in the movement. He also served as an officer in the army during World War ll and received the Purple Heart. Mitchell was said to have had "helped shape and define an era." Even in his last days he fought for change.
"I saw him a couple of months ago and he grabbed me by the collar and said 'never stop giving them hell," Congressman Kweisi Mfume said.
