Mervyn Dymally facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mervyn Dymally
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| Member of the California State Assembly from the 52nd district |
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| In office December 7, 2002 – December 1, 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Carl Washington |
| Succeeded by | Isadore Hall III |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 31st district |
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| In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Charles H. Wilson |
| Succeeded by | Walter R. Tucker III (Redistricting) |
| 41st Lieutenant Governor of California | |
| In office January 6, 1975 – January 8, 1979 |
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| Governor | Jerry Brown |
| Preceded by | John L. Harmer |
| Succeeded by | Mike Curb |
| Member of the California Senate from the 29th district |
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| In office January 2, 1967 – January 6, 1975 |
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| Preceded by | Vernon Sturgeon |
| Succeeded by | Bill Greene |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 53rd district |
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| In office January 7, 1963 – January 2, 1967 |
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| Preceded by | Montivel Burke |
| Succeeded by | Bill Greene |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mervyn Malcolm Dymally
May 12, 1926 Cedros, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Died | October 7, 2012 (aged 86) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Holy Cross Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Amentha Wilkes Alice Gueno |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | California State University, Los Angeles (BA) California State University, Sacramento (MA) Alliant International University, San Diego (PhD) |
Mervyn Malcolm Dymally (born May 12, 1926 – died October 7, 2012) was an American politician from California. He was a member of the Democratic Party. Dymally served in many important roles throughout his career.
He was a member of the California State Assembly from 1963 to 1966. Later, he served in the California State Senate from 1967 to 1975. He then became the 41st Lieutenant Governor of California from 1975 to 1979. After that, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from 1981 to 1993. A decade later, Dymally returned to the California State Assembly from 2003 to 2008.
Mervyn Dymally was the first person from Trinidad and Tobago to serve as a State Senator and Lieutenant Governor in California. He was also one of the first people of Dougla (mixed African and Indian) heritage to serve in the U.S. Congress. In 1974, he and George L. Brown were among the first African Americans elected to a statewide office in California since the Reconstruction era.
Early Life and Education
Mervyn Dymally was born in Cedros, Trinidad and Tobago. He attended Naparima College and Saint Benedict's College in San Fernando for his high school education. His background was Dougla, meaning he had both African and Indian roots.
He later moved to the United States to study journalism at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. After a short time there, he moved to the Los Angeles area. He then attended Chapman University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from California State University, Los Angeles in 1954. Dymally became a U.S. citizen in 1957.
While serving in the California State Legislature, he continued his education. In 1969, he earned a master's degree in government from California State University, Sacramento. He also earned a doctorate degree in human behavior from United States International University in San Diego, which is now called Alliant International University.
Political Career and Achievements
Mervyn Dymally had a long and impactful career in politics. He was known for his dedication to public service.
In 1983, he joined with seven other members of Congress to propose a resolution. This resolution was about the U.S. invasion of Grenada.
After retiring from politics for a while, Dymally decided to run again. He returned to the California State Assembly in 2002. He served for six more years. In 2008, he tried to become a State Senator again but was not elected.
Mervyn Dymally passed away in Los Angeles. He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City. A high school in South Los Angeles is named in his honor, called Mervyn M Dymally Senior High School.
See Also
- List of African-American United States representatives
- List of Asian Americans and Pacific Islands Americans in the United States Congress
- List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States
