Emanuel Cleaver facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Emanuel Cleaver
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri's 5th district |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2005 |
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| Preceded by | Karen McCarthy |
| Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus | |
| In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Barbara Lee |
| Succeeded by | Marcia Fudge |
| 51st Mayor of Kansas City | |
| In office 1991–1999 |
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| Preceded by | Richard Berkley |
| Succeeded by | Kay Barnes |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Emanuel Cleaver II
October 26, 1944 Waxahachie, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Dianne Cleaver |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Prairie View A&M University (BS) Saint Paul School of Theology (MDiv) |
Emanuel Cleaver II (born October 26, 1944) is a United Methodist pastor and American politician. He has been a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Missouri since 2005. Before that, he was the mayor of Kansas City, Missouri from 1991 to 1999.
Mr. Cleaver represents a part of the Kansas City area. This includes most of Kansas City and some nearby towns like North Kansas City, Gladstone, Independence, Lee's Summit, and Blue Springs. He belongs to the Democratic Party. He also led the Congressional Black Caucus from 2011 to 2013.
He is currently in his 11th term in Congress. Before becoming a U.S. Representative, Cleaver served on the Kansas City Council for three terms, from 1979 to 1991. Then, he was elected mayor and served two terms, from 1991 to 1999.
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Early Life and Education
Emanuel Cleaver II was born on October 26, 1944, in Waxahachie, Texas. He grew up in public housing in Wichita Falls, Texas. In 1972, he graduated from Prairie View A&M University. There, he was part of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
After college, Cleaver moved to Kansas City, Missouri. He started a local branch of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He also earned a Master of Divinity degree from St. Paul School of Theology. From 1972 to 2009, he served as the pastor at the St. James United Methodist Church in Kansas City.
Serving Kansas City: Councilman and Mayor
Emanuel Cleaver was a Kansas City councilman from 1979 to 1991. He then became the mayor of Kansas City in 1991, serving until 1999. He was the first African American mayor of Kansas City.
A newspaper columnist, David Helling, described Cleaver's time as mayor. He said Cleaver made the mayor's job more modern, with a professional team and clear goals. Cleaver was also seen as a moral leader. One of his most important moments was a speech he gave after the Rodney King verdict. This speech helped prevent a riot in the city.
Cleaver is related to Pete O'Neal and Eldridge Cleaver, who were both involved with the Black Panther Party. In 1997, Emanuel Cleaver tried to get a pardon for Pete O'Neal from President Bill Clinton, but it was not successful.
In the U.S. House of Representatives
Emanuel Cleaver has been a U.S. Representative since 2005. He has been involved in many important discussions. For example, after a deal was made to solve the 2011 debt-ceiling crisis, Cleaver famously called the agreement a "sugar-coated Satan sandwich." This showed his strong feelings about the deal.
Committee Work
As a member of Congress, Cleaver works on different committees. These groups focus on specific topics and help create laws.
- Committee on Financial Services
- Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance (He is the main leader for his party on this subcommittee)
- Subcommittee on Capital Markets
Groups He Belongs To
Congress members often join groups called caucuses. These groups focus on shared interests or issues.
- Congressional Black Caucus
- Congressional Coalition on Adoption
- Congressional Equality Caucus
- Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment
- Rare Disease Caucus
His Time in Congress
During his time in Congress, Cleaver has voted with the Democratic Party most of the time. He is known for bringing federal money back to Kansas City for local projects. As of 2022, he voted with President Joe Biden's ideas 100% of the time.
On December 18, 2019, Cleaver voted to impeach President Donald Trump. He was one of only two Missouri House members to do so.
Office Attack
On September 11, 2014, someone threw what looked like a Molotov cocktail into Cleaver's Kansas City office. This happened very early in the morning. Cleaver was in Washington D.C. at the time, and no staff members were in the office. Luckily, no one was hurt.
Political Views
Emanuel Cleaver has taken clear stances on various issues. For example, he voted to support Israel after the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
Personal Life
Emanuel Cleaver and his wife, Dianne, have four children. They live in Kansas City.
In 2000, a road in Kansas City was renamed Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard. This road includes parts of Brush Creek Blvd., E. 47th St., and Van Brunt Blvd.
In 2012, a bank filed a lawsuit against Emanuel and Dianne Cleaver and their company. The lawsuit was about a loan for a car wash business. The case was settled in 2013. Part of Cleaver's congressional pay was used to help repay the money owed.
In June 2023, Emanuel Cleaver performed the wedding ceremony for fellow Democratic Congressman Steny Hoyer.
See also
- List of African-American United States representatives
- 2024 Kansas City metropolitan area rent strike
Images for kids
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Emanuel Cleaver's official Congressional portrait
