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Lucien Blackwell | |
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| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's2nd district | |
| In office November 5, 1991 – January 3, 1995 | |
| Preceded by | William Gray |
| Succeeded by | Chaka Fattah |
| Member of thePennsylvania House of Representatives from the188th district | |
| In office January 2, 1973 – December 31, 1975 | |
| Preceded by | James O'Donnell |
| Succeeded by | Alija Dumas |
| Member of thePhiladelphia City Council from the 3rd District | |
| In office January 7, 1976 – February 7, 1991 | |
| Preceded by | Charles L. Durham |
| Succeeded by | Jannie Blackwell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Lucien Edward Blackwell August 1, 1931 Whitsett, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | January 24, 2003(2003-01-24) (aged 71) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jannie Blackwell |
| Children | Thomas W. Blackwell |
Lucien Edward Blackwell (August 1, 1931 – January 24, 2003) was an American boxer, longshoreman, and politician. He served as aDemocratic member of thePennsylvania House of Representatives from 1973 to 1975,Philadelphia City Council from 1976 to 1991, and theUnited States House of Representatives from 1991 to 1995.
Blackwell was born inWhitsett,Fayette County, Pennsylvania on August 1, 1931. After attendingWest Philadelphia High School, he took a job as a dockworker and briefly pursued a career as a boxer. In 1953, he was drafted into theUnited States Army and served in theKorean War. Blackwell was aboxing champion during his years in the Army. After his service ended, he returned to the docks as a longshoreman.[1] In 1973, he became the president of theInternational Longshoremen's Association, Local 1332.
Blackwell's professional political career began with election to thePennsylvania House of Representatives where he served from 1973 to 1975.
"Lucien the Solution" was best known as a vibrant member of thePhiladelphia City Council from 1975 to 1991.[2][3] While serving on the Council, Blackwell served several terms as Chairman of the Finance Committee, where he led the charge to divestpension funds from businesses doing business in South Africa. Blackwell also sponsored the Philadelphia's first law to create opportunities for minorities and women to compete to obtain city contracts. Blackwell was also heavily involved in legislation to create thePennsylvania Convention Center and in passing the law that broke Philadelphia's long-standing building height limit, allowing for the construction of Philadelphia'sOne Liberty Place. Blackwell was perhaps best known for his fiery oratory on the Council floor and for serving as a mentor to the formerPhiladelphia Mayor (and Council President)John Street. During his City Council tenure, Blackwell was an unsuccessful candidate for mayor of Philadelphia in both 1979 and 1991.
Blackwell was elected as aDemocrat to theOne Hundred Second Congress by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of RepresentativeBill Gray, and reelected to the succeeding Congress. In Congress, Blackwell was a member of theUnited States House Committee on the Budget and a reliable advocate for PresidentBill Clinton's economic policies.
Blackwell was ultimately an unsuccessful candidate for renomination to theOne Hundred Fourth Congress in1994, losing the primary toChaka Fattah, and served as lobbyist following his tenure in Congress.
On January 24, 2003, Blackwell died at the age of 71.[3] A mural reading "Thank you, Mr. Blackwell", can be seen at 42nd Street and Haverford Avenue in West Philadelphia. The Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library at the corner of Sansom and 52nd Street is named in his honor. Blackwell's widow,Jannie Blackwell, was formerly a member of thePhiladelphia City Council, also representing the Third District, and his son,Thomas, was a former member of thePennsylvania House of Representatives.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's 2nd congressional district 1991–1995 | Succeeded by |
| Pennsylvania House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | Member of thePennsylvania House of Representatives for the188th District 1973–1976 | Succeeded by |
| Philadelphia City Council | ||
| Preceded by Charles L. Durham | Member of thePhiladelphia City Council for the 3rd District 1974–1991 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
