Maryland Democrats Convene to Nominate Parren J. Mitchell for Nation’s Highest Civilian Award
(BALTIMORE – November 6, 2008) – A host of Maryland Democrats, including State Party Chairman Michael Cryor and State Comptroller Peter Franchot, will convene at the Frederick Douglass Maritime Museum at 1417 Thames St. on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 from 12 noon to 2 pm to nominate former Maryland Congressman Parren J. Mitchell for the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Mitchell, who was a WW2 Veteran and Purple Heart recipient, became Maryland's first African-American congressman, and the first African-American Congressman elected below the Mason Dixon line since 1898. During his sixteen years in Congress, he served as Co-founder and Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and won a reputation as a staunch supporter of minority-owned businesses. He has been called the “father of the federal set-aside program”, allowing ten percent of federal business contracts to be awarded to minorities. Upon leaving public office in 1986, he founded the Minority Business Legal Defense and Education Fund.
In addition to Cryor and Franchot, supporters of this effort include Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, Senator Barbara Mikulski, Congressman Elijah Cummings, Congressman Steny Hoyer, Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon, Montgomery County Executive Isiah “Ike” Leggett, Baltimore City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Former Congressman and NAACP President Kweisi Mfume, and former Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan.
"Parren J. Mitchell was the gold standard for public service,” said C.D Witherspoon, President of the African American Democratic Club of Baltimore City - the sponsoring organization.
"He laid the foundation for future generations of world changers, and we are honored to have the opportunity to partner with a number of Maryland leaders to honor this great leader."
Prior to his death Mitchell mentored several elected officials, including State Delegate Talmadge Branch.
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