Edward Brooke:
On January 10, 1966, Edward Brooke Was Sworn In As The First Popularly Elected Black Senator.
A Republican From Massachusetts, Brooke Served Two Terms. He Was Defeated In His Bid For A Third Term, Primarily Because Of A Bitterly Contested And Public Divorce That Led To Accusations Of Welfare Fraud And Other Improprieties.
Brookes Demonstrated A Special Concern For Africa During His Career In Washington. One Of His Early Actions As A Freshman Senator Was To Make A Month-Long Tour Of 12 African Countries To Assess The Effects Of U.S. Reductions In Foreign Aid.
Before Leaving Congress, He Served As Chairman Of The Emergency Committee For African Refugees.
"In Order For Black History To Live, We Must Continue To Brearhe Life Into It." -- Hubert Gaddy, Jr.
