William Levi Dawson

Congressman William Dawson served in the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly three decades. Dawson, a well-established politician in Chicago, was elected in 1942 as a Democratic Representative from Illinois, serving from 1943 until he died on November 9, 1970 (78th-91st Congresses). Throughout his tenure, Dawson focused on improving the lives of African Americans. He was a vocal opponent of the poll tax, as a discriminatory tactic against poorer voters. He is also credited with defeating the Winstead Amendment. Proposed by Representative William Winstead (D-Mississippi) after the Truman administration integrated the United States armed forces following World War II, the Winstead Amendment would have allowed military members to opt out of racially integrated units. During his first two terms in office, Dawson was on the Coinage, Weights, and Measures; Invalid Pensions; and Irrigation and Reclamation committees. Dawson served on the Insular Affairs Committee (later named Interior and Insular Affairs) from 1943 to 1946. From 1951 to 1952, he served on the Expenditures in the Executive Departments Committee (renamed Government Operations in 1952) from the 78th through the 80th Congress (1943-1949) before ascending to committee chair in 1949. He was the first African American to chair a standing committee. Dawson held the post until 1970, except for a single term in the 83rd Congress (1953-1955), when Republicans controlled the House. Dawson also served on the District of Columbia Committee from 1955 to 1970. Dawson graduated from Fisk University in 1909 with a bachelor’s degree. After attending Kent College of Law and Northwestern University, Dawson enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War I.