Parren Mitchell

BALTIMORE (AP) - Former Congressman Parren J. Mitchell, an eloquent but soft-spoken founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and champion of civil rights, died on Memorial Day. He was 85.

Mitchell had been in intensive care, Greater Baltimore Medical Center spokesman Michael Schwartzberg said Tuesday in confirming his death.

He had been living in a nursing home since suffering a series of strokes several years earlier and died of complications from pneumonia, The (Baltimore) Sun reported.

Mitchell was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Baltimore in 1970 and was Maryland's first black congressman. The Democrat served eight terms before stepping down in 1986 to be the running mate to former attorney general Stephen Sachs in his unsuccessful bid for governor.

"Throughout his life, Congressman Mitchell dedicated himself to opening the doors to opportunity for all Americans," said Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, a Democrat who now holds the 7th District seat. "He was a true servant leader, never concerning himself about fame or fortune but, rather, devoting himself entirely to uplifting the people he represented."

Mitchell was a member of one of the country's prominent civil rights families, dubbed the "black Kennedys" for their extensive record of service.

His brother Clarence Mitchell Jr. helped shepherd the major civil rights legislation of the late 1950s and 1960s as the NAACP's principal lobbyist, and was known as the 101st Senator. Parren Mitchell's sister-in-law, Juanita Jackson Mitchell, was the long-time head and legal counsel of the Maryland NAACP.

Parren Mitchell was also a political mentor to former NAACP President and Congressman Kweisi Mfume, who said his death was like losing a second father.

"He helped shape and define an era," Mfume said. "He wasn't just going up against a doctrine, a lot of times he was going up against the government, and that required a special courage. He had the heart of a lion."

Gov. Martin O'Malley described Mitchell as "a transformational leader," and a source of inspiration.

"In the midst of a time of upheaval and change, he saw clearly where our nation's ongoing struggle for justice must head next - economic opportunity for all," O'Malley said.

Born in Baltimore in 1922, Parren Mitchell was a graduate of Morgan State College and earned a master's degree from the University of Maryland, according to biographical information supplied by Cummings' office.

He also served as a commissioned officer in the Army during World War II, and received the Purple Heart.

Before his election to congress, Mitchell worked in the administrations of Baltimore Mayors Theodore R. McKeldin and Thomas J. D'Alesandro III, and Gov. J. Millard Tawes.

As a congressman, he fought for legislation requiring local governments to set aside 10 percent of federal grants to hire minority contractors.

He gained attentioned during the Wedtech scandal in the 1980s, initiating the congressional investigation that ironically ensnared his nephews, state Sens. Clarence Mitchell III and Michael Mitchell. The two were sentenced to federal prison for their part in the scandal, which involved bribes to obtain no-bid military contracts.

Parren Mitchell was never accused of wrongdoing in the case.

Even as his health was failing in his final years, Mitchell remained a fiery advocate for change.

"I saw him a couple of months ago and he grabbed me by the collar and said, 'Never stop giving them hell,"' Mfume said.
Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press