Louis Stokes

Date of Birth: February 23, 1925

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: August 18, 2015

Biography

Louis Stokes was a distinguished American politician and civil rights leader who made significant contributions to the U.S. House of Representatives. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and became the first African American congressman from the state. Stokes served in the House of Representatives from 1969 to 1999, representing Ohio’s 21st and then 11th Districts. As a member of the Democratic Party, he was known for his advocacy on issues related to poverty, urban development, and civil rights. Stokes was instrumental in founding the Congressional Black Caucus and chaired several important committees, including the House Intelligence Committee and the House Ethics Committee. He played a key role in investigating the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy as part of the House Select Committee on Assassinations. After retiring from Congress, he continued to work in law and education, serving as a senior counsel at Squire Patton Boggs and contributing to various educational initiatives.

5 Interesting Facts about Louis Stokes

1. Louis Stokes was the older brother of Carl Stokes, the first African American mayor of a major U.S. city (Cleveland).

2. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II before pursuing a career in law and politics.

3. Stokes was one of the founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971.

4. He chaired the House Intelligence Committee from 1987 to 1989, becoming the first African American to do so.

5. In addition to his political career, Stokes was a practicing attorney and co-founded the law firm Stokes, Stokes, Character, and Terry.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Louis Stokes

1. “The greatest challenge of the day is how to bring about a revolution of the heart.”

2. “Our Constitution is colorblind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens.”

3. “We must ensure that justice is blind to race, color, and nationality.”

4. “Public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation.”

5. “I believe the best service you can offer your country is to be a public servant.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Louis Stokes was estimated to be around $1 million during his lifetime.

Children

Louis Stokes had four children: Angela, Louis, Shelley, and Lori. Angela Stokes is a former Cleveland Municipal Court judge, and Lori Stokes is a well-known television news anchor.