Robert N. C. Nix Sr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Nix
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania |
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| In office May 20, 1958 – January 3, 1979 |
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| Preceded by | Earl Chudoff |
| Succeeded by | Bill Gray |
| Constituency | 4th district (1958–63) 2nd district (1963–79) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert Nelson Cornelius Nix
August 9, 1898 Orangeburg, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | June 22, 1987 (aged 88) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Lincoln University, Pennsylvania (BA) University of Pennsylvania (LLB) |
Robert Nelson Cornelius Nix Sr. (born August 9, 1898 – died June 22, 1987) was an important American politician. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1958 to 1979. He made history as the first African American to represent Pennsylvania in the House. Today, a building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Robert N. C. Nix Federal Building, is named in his honor.
Contents
Robert Nix: A Trailblazer in Congress
Early Life and Education
Robert Nix was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina. He went to Townsend Harris High School in New York City. After high school, he studied at Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) and graduated in 1921.
He then earned his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Soon after, he started his own law practice in Philadelphia. Nix became very involved with the Democratic Party. In 1932, he became a committeeman for his local area. He also worked as a special assistant attorney general for Pennsylvania in 1934. Later, he was a delegate at the 1956 Democratic National Convention.
Serving in Congress
In 1958, Robert Nix won a special election to join the United States House of Representatives. This election was held to fill a spot left empty by another representative. Nix was reelected ten times, serving for many years.
He was known for supporting laws that helped people and promoted fairness. He worked hard to pass important laws for the Civil Rights Movement. These laws aimed to give equal rights to all Americans. Nix also tried to prevent another representative, Adam Clayton Powell, from losing his seat in Congress in 1967.
In 1962, Robert Nix was the first member of Congress to meet with gay rights activists. He invited Frank Kameny to his office to discuss their concerns. In 1975, he proposed a change to a law about selling military equipment. This change required the Defense Department to tell Congress who was negotiating these sales.
Important Committee Roles
During his time in Congress, Robert Nix served on several important committees. He was part of the United States House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, which helps military veterans. He also served on the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs, which deals with international relations. Another committee he joined was the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.
Nix also led some committees. He was the chairman of the Committee on the Post Office and Civil Service. He also chaired the Subcommittee on International Economic Policy. He served in Congress for 20 years. In 1978, he lost his primary election to William H. Gray III.
Family and Lasting Impact
Robert Nix's son, Robert N. C. Nix Jr., also made history. He became the first African American to be elected to a statewide office in Pennsylvania. He was elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
In 1985, a United States court house and post office building in Philadelphia was renamed. It became the Robert N. C. Nix, Sr. Federal Building and United States Post Office. This was done to honor Robert Nix and his many years of public service.
See also
