Charles Coles Diggs, Jr.

Congressman Charles Diggs was the first African American to represent Michigan in the U.S. House of Representatives. He served the 13th District of Michigan from 1955 until his resignation on June 3, 1980 (84th-96th Congresses). Diggs was a leader on civil rights issues during his tenure, asking President Eisenhower to call a special session of Congress to discuss civil rights, calling for the enforcement of Section Two of the Fourteenth Amendment, and supporting the Civil Rights Act of 1957. He was also involved in foreign affairs, especially relations with Africa. Diggs was instrumental in securing partial self-government for the District of Columbia as chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia during the 93rd-95th Congresses. Diggs was the first chair of the Congressional Black Caucus from 1971 to 1972. He served on the Interior and Insular Affairs, Veterans’ Affairs, Foreign Affairs, International Relations, and District of Columbia Committees. Diggs was censured by the House on July 31, 1979, according to House Resolution 378. Diggs attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and Fisk University, later earning a mortuary license at Wayne College of Mortuary Science. From 1943 to 1945, he served in the United States Army Air Forces. Diggs also served in the Michigan State Senate from 1951 to 1954.