Biography:
— Representative from Illinois.
— Born in Parkdale, Ashley County, Ark., September 6, 1941.
— Graduated from Savage High School, Parkdale, Ark., 1957.
— B.A., Arkansas A.M.&N. College, Pine Bluff, Ark., 1961.
— M.S., Chicago State University, Chicago, Ill., 1968.
— Ph.D., Union Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1977.
— Clerk, Chicago, Ill., Post Office, 1961-1965.
— Teacher, Chicago, Ill., public schools, 1962-1968.
— Executive director, Greater Lawndale Conservation Commission, 1969.
— Director of training, Martin L. King Neighborhood Health Center, 1969-1971.
— Executive director, Westside Health Planning Organization, 1975-1981.
— Alderman, Chicago, Ill., city council, 1979-1990.
— Commissioner, Cook County, Ill., board, 1990-1996.
— College professor.
— Unsuccessful candidate for nomination to the Ninety-Ninth Congress in 1984.
— Unsuccessful candidate for nomination to the One Hundredth Congress in 1986.
— Elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Fifth and to the fourteen succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1997-present).