John Conyers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Conyers
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| Dean of the United States House of Representatives | |
| In office January 3, 2015 – December 5, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | John Dingell |
| Succeeded by | Don Young |
| Chairperson of the House Judiciary Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Sensenbrenner |
| Succeeded by | Lamar Smith |
| Chairperson of the House Government Operations Committee | |
| In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Jack Brooks |
| Succeeded by | Bill Clinger |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 13th district |
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| In office January 3, 2013 – December 5, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Hansen Clarke |
| Succeeded by | Brenda Jones |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 14th district |
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| In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Dennis Hertel |
| Succeeded by | Gary Peters |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 1st district |
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| In office January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Lucien Nedzi |
| Succeeded by | Bart Stupak |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John James Conyers, Jr.
May 16, 1929 Highland Park, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | October 27, 2019 (aged 90) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Monica Esters (1990–2019; his death) |
| Children | John Carl |
| Alma mater | Wayne State University |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service | Army National Guard United States Army |
| Years of service | 1948–1950 1950–1957 |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
John James Conyers, Jr. (May 16, 1929 – October 27, 2019) was an important American politician. He served as a U.S. Representative for Michigan for over 50 years. He was in Congress from 1965 until 2017.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Conyers was born and grew up in Detroit, Michigan. His father, John James Conyers, was a leader in labor unions. After finishing Northwestern High School, John Conyers joined the military.
He served in the Michigan National Guard from 1948 to 1950. Then he joined the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1954. He was also in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1954 to 1957. Conyers spent a year in Korea during the Korean War. He was an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He received awards for his bravery and service.
After his military service, Conyers went to college. He earned two degrees from Wayne State University. He got his first degree in 1957 and his law degree in 1958.
Political Career
After becoming a lawyer, John Conyers worked for Congressman John Dingell. He also helped several local labor unions in Detroit. From 1961 to 1963, he worked for Michigan's workers' compensation department.
A Leader in Civil Rights
Conyers became a key leader in the civil rights movement. He was in Selma, Alabama, on October 7, 1963. This day was known as Freedom Day, a big effort to help people register to vote.
Longest-Serving African American in Congress
John Conyers served in Congress for more than 50 years. This made him one of the longest-serving members in U.S. history. He was also the longest-serving African American member of Congress. From 2015 to 2017, he was the Dean of the House of Representatives. This title goes to the member who has served the longest.
By the end of his time in Congress, he was the only member left who had served since the time of President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Key Achievements and Beliefs
Conyers was very active in the civil rights movement. He helped create the Congressional Black Caucus in 1969. This group works to support the interests of African American communities. He was known as one of the most liberal members of Congress.
He joined the Congressional Progressive Caucus when it started in 1991. Conyers supported the idea of a single-payer healthcare system. He also sponsored a bill to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a federal holiday. He was the first person in Congress to introduce a bill to study reparations for descendants of African-American slavery.
Conyers also served as a leader on important committees. He was the top Democrat on the House Committee on the Judiciary from 1995 to 2007 and again from 2011 to 2017. He was the chairman of that committee from 2007 to 2011. He also chaired the House Oversight Committee from 1989 to 1995. John Conyers ended his service in Congress on December 5, 2017.
Personal Life
John Conyers married Monica Esters, a teacher, in 1990. They had two sons, John James III and Carl Edward Conyers. Monica Conyers later became a vice administrator for public schools. In 2005, she was elected to the Detroit City Council.
Death
John Conyers passed away at his home in Detroit on October 27, 2019. He was 90 years old. His funeral was held on November 4 at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit.
Images for kids
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Conyers's official portrait
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Conyers at the All People's Congress in Detroit, 1981
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Conyers shaking hands with President Bill Clinton in 1993
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Conyers at an anti-war march in Newark, New Jersey, in 2007
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Conyers, (standing, second from right) with fellow founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971
