Hon. Louis Stokes

(1925 - )

Stokes was the first African American from Ohio elected to the U.S. Congress, where he spent 30 years in the House of Representatives. His work in the area of health led to his appointment as a member of the Pepper Commission on Comprehensive Health Care. He was also founder and chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust. Following his service in Congress, he practiced law, served as vice chairman of the Pew Environmental Health Commission, and was appointed chairman of the Advisory Committee on Minority Health. In 2003, Congress honored him with the Congressional Distinguished Service Award.