Lucien E. Blackwell

Lucien E. Blackwell
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 2nd district
In office
November 5, 1991  January 3, 1995
Preceded by William Gray
Succeeded by Chaka Fattah
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 188th district
In office
January 2, 1973  November 30, 1976
Preceded by James O'Donnell
Succeeded by Alija Dumas
Member of the Philadelphia City Council from the 3rd District
In office
January 7, 1974  February 7, 1991
Preceded by Paul D'Ortona
Succeeded by Jannie Blackwell
Personal details
Born August 1, 1931
Whitsett, Pennsylvania
Died January 24, 2003(2003-01-24) (aged 71)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Jannie Blackwell
Children Thomas W. Blackwell

Lucien Edward Blackwell (August 1, 1931 January 24, 2003) was a United States Congressman who represented West Philadelphia and parts of Delaware County, Pennsylvania from 1991 to 1995. He was a Democrat.

Early life

Blackwell was born in Whitsett, Fayette County, Pennsylvania on August 1, 1931. After attending public schools, Blackwell joined the United States Army, serving in the Korean War in 1953. Blackwell was a boxing champion during his years in the Army. Blackwell attended West Philadelphia High School.

Pennsylvania politics

Blackwell was a powerful Philadelphia union leader, serving as president of the Local 1332, International Longshoremen’s Association from 1973 to 1991. Blackwell's professional political career began with election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives where he served from 1973 to 1975.

Philadelphia City Council

Blackwell was best known as a vibrant member of the Philadelphia City Council from 1974 to 1991.[1] While serving on the Council, Blackwell served several terms as Chairman of the Finance Committee, where he led the charge to divest pension funds from businesses doing business in South Africa. Blackwell also sponsored the Philadelphia's first law to create opportunities for minorities and women to compete to obtain city contracts. Blackwell was also heavily involved in legislation to create the Pennsylvania Convention Center and in passing the law that broke Philadelphia's long-standing building height limit, allowing for the construction of Philadelphia's One Liberty Place. Blackwell was perhaps best known for his fiery oratory on the Council floor and for serving as a mentor to the former Philadelphia Mayor (and Council President) John Street. During his City Council tenure, Blackwell was an unsuccessful candidate for mayor of Philadelphia in both 1979 and 1991.

United States House of Representatives

Blackwell was elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Second Congress by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative Bill Gray, and reelected to the succeeding Congress. In Congress, Blackwell was a member of the United States House Committee on the Budget and a reliable advocate for President Bill Clinton's economic policies. Blackwell was ultimately an unsuccessful candidate for renomination to the One Hundred Fourth Congress in 1994, losing the primary to Chaka Fattah, and served as lobbyist following his tenure in Congress.

On January 24, 2003, Blackwell died at the age of 71. A mural reading "Thank you, Mr. Blackwell", can be seen at 42nd Street and Haverford Avenue in West Philadelphia. Blackwell's widow, Jannie Blackwell, is a member of the Philadelphia City Council, also representing the Third District, and his son, Thomas, is a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Nickname

Blackwell self-promoted the nickname "The Solution" (Lucien "The Solution" Blackwell).

References

  1. "Blackwell, Burrell Jockeying For Endorsement". The Philadelphia Inquirer. February 1, 1991. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
William Gray
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 2nd congressional district

19911995
Succeeded by
Chaka Fattah
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Preceded by
James O'Donnell
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 188th District
19731976
Succeeded by
Alija Dumas
Philadelphia City Council
Preceded by
Paul D'Ortona
Member of the Philadelphia City Council for the 3rd District
19741991
Succeeded by
Jannie Blackwell
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