Walter Fauntroy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Walter Fauntroy
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| Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the District of Columbia's at-large district |
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| In office March 23, 1971 – January 3, 1991 |
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| Preceded by | Constituency reestablished |
| Succeeded by | Eleanor Holmes Norton |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Walter Edward Fauntroy
February 6, 1933 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Dorothy Simms
(m. invalid year) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Virginia Union University (BA) Yale University (BDiv) |
Walter Edward Fauntroy Jr. (born February 6, 1933) is an American pastor, civil rights activist, and politician. He served as the delegate for Washington, D.C. in the United States House of Representatives from 1971 to 1991. He was a candidate for president in the Democratic primaries in 1972 and 1976.
Contents
Walter Fauntroy: A Leader for Change
Early Life and Learning
Walter Fauntroy was born and grew up in Washington, D.C. He was the fourth of seven children. His mother, Ethel, was a homemaker, and his father, William, worked at the U.S. Patent Office.
Walter attended Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C. He graduated second in his class in 1951. His church helped him pay for college by holding fundraising dinners.
He went to Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia, and graduated with honors in 1955. He then earned a degree from Yale Divinity School in 1958.
Fighting for Civil Rights
While at Virginia Union University, Fauntroy met Martin Luther King Jr.. They became good friends. Fauntroy joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
He became an important voice for civil rights in Congress. Fauntroy also helped organize the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This is where King gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
After finishing his studies, Fauntroy became the pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church. He believed that faith meant helping the community. He took part in civil rights protests, sit-ins, and marches.
As director of the SCLC's Washington Bureau, he helped coordinate the 1963 March on Washington. He also helped with the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches. President Lyndon Johnson appointed him to important civil rights committees.
Fauntroy also started the Model Inner City Community Organization (MICCO). This group used government money to improve neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. They hired Black architects and planners to build homes and schools.
He played a key role after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.. Fauntroy urged people to remain peaceful. He also led a prayer at King's funeral.
Serving in Congress
Before 1970, Washington, D.C., had no formal voice in Congress. In 1970, a law was passed to give D.C. a non-voting delegate. Fauntroy wanted this job.
With support from his church and Coretta Scott King, he won the election. He became the first delegate to represent Washington, D.C., in the United States House of Representatives in nearly 100 years. He was sworn in on March 23, 1971.
Even though he could not vote on the House floor, he could vote in committees. He could also introduce new laws. Fauntroy became a strong voice for inner-city residents, the poor, and minorities.
His main goal was for Washington, D.C., to have "home rule" and eventually become a state. He helped pass laws that allowed D.C. residents to elect their own mayor and city council by 1973. He was re-elected five times.
Fauntroy was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). He led the CBC in 1981. They presented a budget to the House for the first time. He also chaired committees on banking and international development.
In 1984, Fauntroy helped start the Free South Africa Movement. This movement protested against apartheid in South Africa.
After Congress
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Fauntroy left Congress in 1990 to run for mayor of Washington, D.C. After the election, he returned to his church. He continued his full-time ministry and community work.
He also started a consulting firm. One of his first clients was Nelson Mandela's African National Congress (ANC). Fauntroy worked to encourage U.S. investment in South Africa.
He is the president of the National Black Leadership Roundtable (NBLR). He founded this group in 1977. Through the NBLR, he works on projects to help end poverty in Africa. This includes the Millennium Villages Project.
In 1993, Fauntroy was diagnosed with tuberculosis. He spoke publicly about his illness to help others understand it. He and his wife, Dorothy, adopted a baby girl named Melissa Alice.
Personal Life
Walter Fauntroy was married to Dorothy Simms. She passed away in June 2023. They had two children, Marvin Keith and Melissa Alice.
Awards and Honors
Fauntroy has received honorary Doctor of Law Degrees from his alma maters, Virginia Union University and Yale University. He also has honorary degrees from Howard University and Georgetown University Law Center.
In 1984, the National Urban Coalition gave him the Hubert H. Humphrey Humanitarian Award.
See also
