Edward Brooke: Difference between revisions
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==U.S. Senator== |
==U.S. Senator== |
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[[Image:EBrookePresHonor.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Edward Brooke is congratulated by President [[George W. Bush]] at the Ceremony for the 2004 Recipients of the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]], The [[w:East Room (White House)|East Room]] of the White House.]] |
[[Image:EBrookePresHonor.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Edward Brooke is congratulated by President [[George W. Bush]] at the Ceremony for the 2004 Recipients of the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]], The [[w:East Room (White House)|East Room]] of the White House.]] |
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Brooke served as a [[United States Senate|U.S. senator]] for two terms, from [[January 3]], [[1967]], to [[January 3]], [[1979]]. In 1967, he served on the [[President of the United States|President]]'s [[Kerner Commission|Commission on Civil Disorders]]. He was a member of the [[liberalism|liberal]] wing of the Republican Party and often had conflicts with President [[Richard Nixon]], particularly in 1970, when Brooke helped lead the movement to stop the Senate confirmation of the President's nominee to the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]], [[Harrold Carswell]]. Brooke was re-elected in [[United States Senate elections, 1972|1972]], defeating Democrat [[John J. Droney]] 62%-34%. However, he lost much of his popularity during his second term after a contentious and widely-publicized [[divorce]]. He lost a bid for a third term in the [[United States Senate elections, 1978|Senate elections of 1978]] in the general election to Paul Tsongas. He remains, as of 2008, the last Republican |
Brooke served as a [[United States Senate|U.S. senator]] for two terms, from [[January 3]], [[1967]], to [[January 3]], [[1979]]. In 1967, he served on the [[President of the United States|President]]'s [[Kerner Commission|Commission on Civil Disorders]]. He was a member of the [[liberalism|liberal]] wing of the Republican Party and often had conflicts with President [[Richard Nixon]], particularly in 1970, when Brooke helped lead the movement to stop the Senate confirmation of the President's nominee to the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]], [[Harrold Carswell]]. Brooke was re-elected in [[United States Senate elections, 1972|1972]], defeating Democrat [[John J. Droney]] 62%-34%. However, he lost much of his popularity during his second term after a contentious and widely-publicized [[divorce]]. He lost a bid for a third term in the [[United States Senate elections, 1978|Senate elections of 1978]] in the general election to Paul Tsongas. He remains, as of 2008, the last Republican senator from Massachusetts. |
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==Post-Senate Life== |
==Post-Senate Life== |
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Revision as of 03:53, 4 April 2008
Edward William Brooke III | |
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| File:EdwardBrooke.jpg | |
| United States Senator from Massachusetts | |
| In office January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1979 | |
| Preceded by | Leverett Saltonstall |
| Succeeded by | Paul Tsongas |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Anne Brooke |
Edward William Brooke III (born October 26, 1919) is an American politician and was the first African American to be elected by popular vote to the United States Senate when he was elected as a Republican from Massachusetts in 1966, defeating his Democratic opponent, Endicott Peabody, 58%–42%. He was also the first African American elected since Reconstruction, and would remain the only person of African heritage sent to the Senate until Democrat Carol Moseley Braun was elected in 1993.
Early years
Born in Washington, D.C., 1919. Upon his graduation from Howard University in 1941. He spent five years as an officer in the segregated 366th Infantry Regiment and saw combat in Italy. Following his discharge, he graduated from Boston University Law School in 1948.
The following year, he ran for a seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, but lost. He then made two more tries for office, including one for secretary of state, but again fell short in both races.
He was the chairman of Finance Commission of Boston from 1961 to 1962. Brooke was elected Attorney General of Massachusetts in 1962 and re-elected in 1964. In this position, he gained a reputation as a vigorous prosecutor of organized crime, and coordinated with local police departments on the Boston strangler case.[1]
U.S. Senator
Brooke served as a U.S. senator for two terms, from January 3, 1967, to January 3, 1979. In 1967, he served on the President's Commission on Civil Disorders. He was a member of the liberal wing of the Republican Party and often had conflicts with President Richard Nixon, particularly in 1970, when Brooke helped lead the movement to stop the Senate confirmation of the President's nominee to the Supreme Court, Harrold Carswell. Brooke was re-elected in 1972, defeating Democrat John J. Droney 62%-34%. However, he lost much of his popularity during his second term after a contentious and widely-publicized divorce. He lost a bid for a third term in the Senate elections of 1978 in the general election to Paul Tsongas. He remains, as of 2008, the last Republican senator from Massachusetts.
Post-Senate Life
After leaving the Senate, he was the head of the Low Income Housing Coalition.
In 1996, he became the first chairman of Alpha Phi Alpha's World Policy Council, a think tank whose purpose is to expand the fraternity's involvement in politics, and social and current policy to encompass international concerns. Brooke currently serves as the council's chairman emeritus and was honorary chairman at the Centennial Convention of Alpha Phi Alpha held in Washington, D.C in 2006.
On June 20, 2000, a newly constructed Boston courthouse-- was dedicated in his honor. The Edward W. Brooke Courthouse is part of the Massachusetts Trial Court system, and houses Boston Municipal Court, Boston Juvenile Court, Family Court, and Boston Housing Court, among others. [2]
In September 2002, he was diagnosed with breast cancer and, since then, has assumed a national role in raising awareness of the disease among men.
In 2004, Brooke was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom — designed to recognize individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."
On April 29, 2006 the Massachusetts Republican Party awarded the first annual Edward Brooke Award to former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card at their 2006 State Nominating Convention.
The father of two daughters and a son, Brooke currently lives in Miami with his wife, Anne.
See also
Bibliography
- Edward Brooke (2006). Bridging The Divide: My Life. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0-8135-3905-6.
References
- ^ Boston Strangler coordination: WBUR interview
- ^ Browse | News Releases | Media Relations | Boston University
External links
- United States Congress. "Edward Brooke (id: B000871)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Edward Brooke biography and video interview excerpts by The National Visionary Leadership Project
| Class 1 |  | |
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| Class 2 | ||
- 1919 births
- African American United States Senators
- African Americans in the United States military
- American Episcopalians
- American lawyers
- American military personnel of World War II
- Boston University alumni
- Howard University alumni
- Living people
- Massachusetts Attorneys General
- Mob-busters
- Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients
- Massachusetts Republicans
- United States Army officers
- United States Senators from Massachusetts
- African American Republicans (United States)