1868- Congressman Joseph Hayne Rainey, First African American U.S. Representative
<h4><a href="https://vmps.omeka.net/exhibits/show/diverse-public-service/diverse-public-service">Return to Diversity in Public Service</a></h4>
<p>Joseph Hayne Rainey (June 21, 1832 – August 1, 1887) was the first African American to serve in the United States House of Representatives, the second black person to serve in the United States Congress (U.S. Senator Hiram Revels was the first), the first African American to be directly elected to Congress (Revels was appointed), and the first black presiding officer of the United States House of Representatives. Born into slavery, he was freed in the 1840s by his father's purchasing his freedom and that of all his family...Rainey supported legislation to protect the civil rights of Southern blacks, as well as to promote the southern economy.</p>
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U.S. Congress
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Joseph_Rainey_-_Brady-Handy.jpg
House of Representatives
Unknown
House of Representatives
Source: Joseph Rainey. <a href="http://history.house.gov/People/Listing/R/RAINEY,-Joseph-Hayne-(R000016)/"><strong>United States House of Representatives</strong></a>. Retrieved April 21, 2014
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Rainey">Wikipedia</a>
Source: Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives. Medium: Painting
English
Figures
Joseph Rainey, African-American, House of Representatives, U.S. Congress, Civil Rights
Historic
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, First Cuban-American to serve in US Congress (House of Reps.)
<h4><a href="https://vmps.omeka.net/exhibits/show/diverse-public-service/diverse-public-service">Return to Diversity in Public Service</a></h4>
From Biography: Born in Cuba in 1952 and later immigrating to the United States at age eight, Ros-Lehtinen grew up with an anti-Castro activist father and memories of escaping Fidel Castro's regime. Focusing her career in education, Ros-Lehtinen earned both her a bachelor's degree in 1975 and a master's degree in 1985 at Florida International University. In 2004 she received her doctorate in education from the University of Miami. While operating a private school in Miami in the early 80s, Ros-Lehtinen was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, becoming the first Latina to accomplish this. She continued her groundbreaking streak by becoming the first Latina to serve in the state senate and in 1989, the first Latina and first Cuban-American to serve in the United States Congress as a member of the House of Representatives. Starting in 2011, she also became the first female to ever manage a regular standing committee, the Committee on Foreign Affairs. As a moderate Republican, Ros-Lehtinen was considered one of the most popular bipartisan politicians before retiring her House seat in 2017. She was the first House Republican to come out in support of gay marriage and served as a member of numerous caucuses in her 30-year political career, including the LGBT Equality Caucus, the Climate Solutions Caucus and the Congressional Pro-Life Women's Caucus.
US Congress
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a7/Ileana_Ros-Lehtinen_official_photo.jpg
US Congress
2017
US Congress
<a href="https://history.house.gov/People/Listing/R/ROS-LEHTINEN,-Ileana-(R000435)/">History, Art, and Archives US House of Representatives</a><br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ileana_Ros-Lehtinen">Wikipedia</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.biography.com/news/sonia-sotomayor-latina-firsts-pioneers">Biography</a>
Photograph
English
Figures
Hispanic-American. Cuba. House of Representatives. LGBT. Women. Florida.
Florida
Isidor Straus: U.S. House of Representatives
<h4><a href="https://vmps.omeka.net/exhibits/show/straus-family/straus-family">Return to The Straus Family: A History of Public Service and Philanthropy</a></h4>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000000;">Many people are not aware that Isidor Straus (1845-1912) served in the House of Representatives during the second Cleveland administration. Although he never aspired to public office, Isidor felt it was his civic duty to serve when called.</span></p>
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<p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000000;">Isidor devoted full attention to his mercantile career. When away from the store, he considered it recreation to read about currency, banking and tariff matters from his extensive home library. And so, Isidor was fully prepared for the matters under consideration in the House; tariff reform, the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchasing Act and regulation of the railroads through the Interstate Commerce Commission when he was prevailed upon to run for the unexpired seat of Democrat Ashbel P. Fitch, representative of the Fifteenth Congressional District.</span></p>
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The Straus Historical Society
http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1/1/8/1/11810298/7954634_orig.jpg, http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1/1/8/1/11810298/2306027_orig.jpg
The Straus Historical Society
1894
The Straus Historical Society
Isidor Straus: U.S. House of Representatives <br /><br />Source: <a href="http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org">The Straus Historical Society</a>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000000;">Links:</span></p>
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<p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000000;">Adler, Joan. “Many Waters Cannot Quench Love – Neither Can the Floods Drown it” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 3 No. 2 (New York: August 1995); pp. 3-8.</span></p>
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<p style="text-align:justify;"><a href="http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1/1/8/1/11810298/______nwsltr895.pdf"><b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#c51b35;">http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1/1/8/1/11810298/______nwsltr895.pdf</span></b></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000000;"></span></p>
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<p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000000;">“Hon. Isidor Straus, House of Representatives: 1894-1895” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 4 No. 1 (New York: August 2002); pp. 1-8.</span></p>
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<p style="text-align:justify;"><a href="http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1/1/8/1/11810298/________nwsltr802.pdf"><b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#c51b35;">http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1/1/8/1/11810298/________nwsltr802.pdf</span></b></a></p>
Medium: Photograph
English
Figures
Isidor Straus, Straus Family, House of Representatives, Grover Cleveland, Mercantilism, Railroads
Historic
Joseph Rainey, First African American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, 1869-1879
<h4><a href="https://vmps.omeka.net/exhibits/show/public-servant-elected/public-servant-elected">Return to Elected Office</a></h4>
Joseph Hayne Rainey, 1832-1887. Born in Georgetown, South Carolina. He was the first African American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, the first African American to preside over the House, and the longest–serving African American during the tumultuous Reconstruction period.
Mathew Brady or Levin Handy
Joseph Rainey <br /><br />Source: <a href="http://history.house.gov/People/Detail/20095?ret=True">United States House of Representatives</a>
Library of Congress
Between 1865 and 1880
Library of Congress
Library of Congress
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Rainey">Wikipedia</a>
Painting
English
Figures
Elected Office
Historic
Judy Chu
<h4><a href="https://vmps.omeka.net/exhibits/show/diverse-public-service/diverse-public-service">Return to Diversity in Public Service</a></h4>
From Wikipedia: Judy Chu is an American politician and the U.S. Representative for California's 27th congressional district, serving in Congress since 2009. A member of the Democratic Party, she is the first Chinese American woman elected to the U.S. Congress. Chu was previously Chair of the California Board of Equalization, representing the 4th District. She had also served on the Garvey Unified School District Board of Education, the Monterey Park City Council (with five terms as mayor) and the California State Assembly.
US House of Representatives
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c2/Judy_Chu%2C_official_photo.jpg/731px-Judy_Chu%2C_official_photo.jpg
US House of Representatives
Jan-14
US House of Representatives
<a href="https://chu.house.gov/about/full-biography">US House of Representatives</a>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judy_Chu">Wikipedia</a><br /><br /><a href="https://bioguideretro.congress.gov/Home/MemberDetails?memIndex=C001080">Biographical Director of the US Congress</a>
Photograph
English
Figures
Chinese-American. House of Representatives. Education. Women. California.
California
Kyrsten Sinema, First Openly Bisexual Person elected to US Senate
<h4><a href="https://vmps.omeka.net/exhibits/show/diverse-public-service/diverse-public-service">Return to Diversity in Public Service</a></h4>
From Wikipedia: Kyrsten Sinema is an American politician serving as the senior United States Senator from Arizona since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she served as the U.S. Representative from Arizona's 9th congressional district from 2013 to 2019. She previously served in both chambers of the Arizona State Legislature, having been elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2004 and the Arizona Senate in 2010. As an openly bisexual woman, Sinema has made history several times through her electoral success. In 2012, she became the first openly bisexual person and second openly LGBT woman (after Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin) elected to the United States Congress. In 2018, she became the first openly bisexual person and second openly LGBT person (after Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin) elected to the United States Senate as well as the first woman elected to the United States Senate from Arizona.
US House Office of Photography
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/Kyrsten_Sinema_%28cropped%29.jpg/731px-Kyrsten_Sinema_%28cropped%29.jpg
US Congress
August of 2018
US Congress
<a href="https://www.sinema.senate.gov/about-kyrsten">US Congress</a>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyrsten_Sinema">Wikipedia</a><br /><br /><a href="https://bioguideretro.congress.gov/Home/MemberDetails?memIndex=S001191">Biographical Directory of the US Congress</a>
Photograph
English
Figures
LGBT, Women, House of Representatives, US Senator, Arizona
United States
Recognizing Achievement in Classified School Employees Act
<a href="https://vmps.omeka.net/exhibits/show/motivating-public-service/motivating-public-service">Motivation for the Public Service</a>
The Recognizing Achievement in Classified School Employees Act (H.R. 276) was a piece of legislature, sponsored by Representative Dina Titus of Nevada, that passed through Congress and was signed into law in April of 2019. The bill instructs the Secretary of Education to create an annual Recognizing Inspiring School Employees, or RISE, award to celebrate the service of non-educators in public schools throughout the country. This award is presented to a multitude of specialties within educational institutions including clerical, nutrition, transportation, and custodial fields. Commendation of public education is largely, and understandably, focused on teachers. This bill aimed to hold up those in education that serve the students in other ways. Each employee in public education has a role in the growth and success of the next generation and the RISE award seeks to highlight those that are often overlooked.
Nevada State Education Association
<a href="http://www.nsea-nv.org/assets/document/NV/titus.jpg">Nevada State Education Association</a>
Nevada State Education Association
Unknown
Nevada State Education Association
<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/276/text">US Congress</a>
Photograph
English
Legislation
Legislation, Education, House of Representatives, Congress, Act, Bill, Law
United States
Senator Robert J. Dole Born 1923- Served 45 Years in Public Office
<h4><a href="https://vmps.omeka.net/exhibits/show/timeline-public-service/timeline-public-service">Return to Public Service Timelines</a></h4>
Robert Dole served for 45 years in public office including service in the Kansas state legislature, both houses of the U.S. Congress, as leader of his party’s national committee, floor leader in the U.S. Senate, and the Republican Party’s nominations for vice president and president of the United States. He left his imprint on a mass of legislation and campaigned for countless other candidates. As a committee chairman and party leader, he mastered the art of forging consensus and compromise. He also seasons the seriousness of politics and government with a ready supply of good humor, candor, and a common sense approach, earning him respect from both sides of the aisle. Overall he served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 8 years and the Senate for more than 27 years
Everett Raymond Kinstler
U.S. Senate Leadership Portrait Collection <br /><br />Source: <a href="https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/art/artifact/Painting_32_00045.htm">United States Senate</a><br /><br />Source: Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas
United States Senate
2006
Everett Raymond Kinstler
United States Senate
See also: <a href="http://doleinstitute.org/about-bob-dole/timeline-of-life/">Robert J. Dole Timeline</a>
Medium: Oil on Canvas
English
Figures
Timeline
Historic
Senator Robert. C. Byrd (1917-2010) Longest Serving Member of the United States Congress
<h4><a href="https://vmps.omeka.net/exhibits/show/timeline-public-service/timeline-public-service">Return to Public Service Timelines</a></h4>
Senator Robert Byrd was U.S. Representative from 1953 until 1959 and a U.S. Senator from 1959 to 2010. Sen. Byrd served over 51 years of continuous service with an extraordinary lifetime attendance record of nearly 99 percent. Sen. Byrd has held more elected Senate leadership posts than any other member. These include secretary of the Senate Democratic Conference, Democratic whip, majority leader, minority leader, president pro tempore, and chairman of the Committee on Appropriations.
Michael Shane Neal
Robert C. Byrd <br /><br />U.S. Senate Leadership Portrait Collection Source: United States Senate <br /><br />Source: Robert C. Byrd Center for Legislative Studies See also: <a href="http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Civil_Rights_Filibuster_Ended.htm">1964 Civil Rights Filibuster</a> <br /><br />See also: <a href="https://www.byrdcenter.org/byrd-biography.html">Biography</a>
U.S. Senate
2007
Michael Shane Neal
U.S. Senate
Youtube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJcbzfsmW5w&feature=youtu.be">The Senator plays fiddle with the Harvest Band for then President Jimmy Carter, 1980 </a>
Medium: Oil on Canvas
English
Figures
Timeline
Historic