Chairman Portrait:
Ronald V. Dellums
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Ronald V. Dellums, Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
Former Armed Services Committee Chairman Ronald V. Dellums’ commanding presence is ably captured in his committee portrait. The first African American on the committee, Dellums dominates the foreground, and his silhouette is dramatically contrasted with the glow from a lunette behind. Representative Dellums talks about the portrait that commemorates his historic service as Armed Services Committee Chairman, as well as how the artist was chosen and the experience of seeing the portrait for the first time.
Selecting an Artist
Representative Dellums recalls the process of choosing an artist.
The Honorable Ronald V. Dellums, U.S. Representative of California
Reactions to the Portrait
Representative Dellums recounts the reactions to his portrait.
The Honorable Ronald V. Dellums, U.S. Representative of California
Sense of Pride
Representative Dellums reflects on the personal importance of his portrait.
The Honorable Ronald V. Dellums, U.S. Representative of California
Ronald V. Dellums
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Representative Ronald V. Dellums’ service as Chairman of the Armed Services Committee is commemorated in this portrait. A strong advocate of peace and civil rights, Dellums was the first African-American Member to lead this committee.
Black Lawmakers Fan
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Cardboard fans were a common sight in North Carolina when this version was distributed there in 1971. One side celebrated the unprecedented number of African Americans who took office that January. The other advertised an insurance company. Fans with images of African–American Members of Congress were produced on a national scale for use in churches and at parades, with local businesses printing their advertisements on the reverse.
Felix Edward Hébert
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Prominent New Orleans artist John Clay Parker painted this portrait, his second of Armed Services Committee Chairman Eddie Hébert.