Marvin Pratt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marvin Pratt
Pratt in 2017
Interim Milwaukee County Executive
In office February 4, 2011 – April 25, 2011
Preceded by	Lee Holloway (acting)
Succeeded by	Chris Abele
Acting Mayor of Milwaukee
In office January 1, 2004 – April 19, 2004
Preceded by	John Norquist
Succeeded by	Tom Barrett
President of the Milwaukee Common Council
In office July 17, 2000 – July 11, 2004
Preceded by	John Kalwitz
Succeeded by	Willie L. Hines Jr.
Personal details
Born	(1944-05-26) May 26, 1944 (age 81) Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Dianne Pratt
Children	2
Alma mater	Marquette University

Marvin E. Pratt (born May 26, 1944) is an American politician from the Democratic Party. He is known for being the first African-American to serve as the acting mayor of Milwaukee. He also temporarily served as the Milwaukee County Executive. An "acting" or "interim" leader is someone who fills the job for a short time until a permanent leader can be elected.

Early Life and Education

Marvin Pratt was born in Dallas, Texas, on May 26, 1944. His father, Leon Pratt Sr., was an officer in the U.S. Navy. After his father passed away in a car accident in 1949, his family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1959.

Pratt graduated from North Division High School in 1962. Right after high school, he joined the United States Air Force. He served in the Libyan desert during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged.

After his military service, Pratt returned to Milwaukee and went to Marquette University. He earned a degree in political science in 1972. He then started working in local government, beginning as an intern for Mayor Henry Maier.

A Career in Politics

In 1984, Pratt ran for a seat on the Milwaukee Common Council. The Common Council is a group of people elected to make laws for the city. He lost the election, but ran again in a special election in 1986 and won.

Work on the Common Council

After being elected, Pratt joined the Finance and Personnel Committee. This committee handles the city's money and its workers. He later became the chairman of this committee from 1996 to 2000.

One of his biggest achievements was the Resident's Preference Program (RPP) in 1991. This program helps people who live in Milwaukee get jobs on city construction projects. The goal is to make sure that when the city spends money on building things, local residents benefit from the new jobs. This program is still active today.

In 2000, Pratt was elected president of the Common Council. He said he wanted the job because he saw too many empty, boarded-up houses in Milwaukee's neighborhoods and wanted to make a change.

Acting Mayor of Milwaukee

In 2004, Mayor John Norquist left his job three months early. Because Pratt was the president of the Common Council, he automatically became the acting mayor. This made him the first African-American to lead the city of Milwaukee.

Pratt then decided to run for mayor in the official election. He came in first out of thirteen candidates in the primary election. However, in the final election, he lost to Tom Barrett.

Pratt (left) with Lee Holloway in 2011

Interim County Executive

On February 4, 2011, Pratt took on another important temporary role. He was sworn in as the interim Milwaukee County Executive. He filled the position after Scott Walker left to become the governor of Wisconsin.

Pratt served until a special election was held on April 5, 2011. By holding both of these temporary jobs, Pratt became the first person to have served as both acting Mayor of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County Executive. In the election, Chris Abele won and took over the position from Pratt.

Honors

In October 2015, the Milwaukee Public School Board voted to rename Silver Spring Elementary School in his honor. On July 15, 2016, the school was officially renamed Marvin E. Pratt Elementary School.

Electoral History

• 2004 Race for Mayor (Milwaukee)
  • Tom Barrett (D), 54%
  • Marvin Pratt (D) (inc.), 46%