Harold Eugene Ford

Congressman Harold Ford represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives for eleven terms, from 1975 to 1997 (94th-104th Congresses). Following two terms as a state legislator, Ford was elected the first African American in Congress from Tennessee. Ford’s Congressional committee service included the Committee on Banking, Currency, and Housing; the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs; the Select Committee on Aging; and the Select Committee on Assassinations. Ford was also known for his membership on the influential House Ways and Means Committee. Elected at age 29, he was one of the youngest Members ever to chair a subcommittee on Ways and Means (102nd-103rd Congresses). During his tenure in Congress, Ford strongly advocated for government assistance for the poor and welfare reform. In 1987, Ford was appointed to the powerful Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. Ford is a graduate of Tennessee State University and earned an associate of arts degree in mortuary science from John Gupton College and an M.B.A from Howard University.