Augustus Hawkins

Former California Congressman Augustus Hawkins has died. He was 100. Hawkins was a Democrat, and was the first African American from California to serve in Congress. He represented South Los Angeles for more than half a century, first starting off in the state Legislature in 1935 and then advancing to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1962. While in Congress Hawkins sponsored the equal employment section of the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act, and he helped create the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971.

Former California Congressman Augustus Hawkins has died. He was 100. Hawkins was a Democrat, and was the first African American from California to serve in Congress. He represented South Los Angeles for more than half a century, first starting off in the state Legislature in 1935 and then advancing to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1962. While in Congress Hawkins sponsored the equal employment section of the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act, and he helped create the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971.