The longest-serving African-American in Congressional history and co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, John Conyers Jr. dies at 90
Congressman John Conyers is seen during a ceremony for former U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, in Detroit in 2016. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Rep. John Conyers Jr., a leader in Michigan politics for nearly five decades, passed away in his sleep on Sunday at the age of 90, according to the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office in Detroit.
Rep. Conyers was the longest-serving African American lawmaker in U.S. congressional history with 53 years of experience.
"Today, the city of Detroit, The United States, and the world lost a fearless civil rights leader and hero, Congressman, John James Conyers, Jr.," a statement on behalf of the Conyers family said.
During his time in Congress, he co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus, was the chair and ranking Democrat of the House Judiciary Committee and led the way in memorializing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday as a national holiday in 1986.
Rep. John Conyers Jr. protesting against the unfair treatment of union workers in 1965. (The Detroit News)
His tenure garnered him the title as the "Dean of the House of Representatives” for being the longest-serving current member. He was also the third longest-serving member of the House in history and the sixth longest-serving member of Congress in history.
However, Conyers battled with sexual harassment allegations in 2017. One of his former staff members received a confidential settlement of $27,000 from Conyers’ office after alleging she was fired after rejecting his sexual advances. Conyers denied the allegations but after an inquiry by the House Ethics Committee, he stepped down due to “stress-related health concerns.”
Conyers had a military background, serving in the National Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War fresh out of high school.
A Detroit native, Conyers attended Wayne State University for his undergraduate and law degrees. He then worked in the office of Democratic Congressman John Dingell and then as general counsel to labor unions before running for office in 1964. In 1965, his district officer hired civil rights activist Rosa Parks as a secretary and receptionist until 1988. He was a fierce advocate for civil rights, regularly introducing a reparations bill to Congress designed to study the repercussions of slavery on descendants and give possible reparations.
Rep. Conyers on Capitol Hill in 1967. (AP Photo/Bob Daugherty)
Conyers was very popular in his 14th district, winning re-election 25 times.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who now represents Conyers' district tweeted on Sunday afternoon, “Our Congressman forever, John Conyers, Jr. He never once wavered in fighting for jobs, justice, and peace. We always knew where he stood on issues of equality and civil rights in the fight for the people. Thank you, Congressman Conyers, for fighting for us for over 50 years.”
Conyers is survived by his wife, Monica Conyers and his two sons, Carl Edward and John III.