George Henry White Elected — Last Black Congressman of the Era

George Henry White of North Carolina, elected to Congress in 1896 and re-elected in 1898, was the last Black Congressman to serve until 1929. In his final speech in January 1901, he declared: 'This is perhaps the Negroes' temporary farewell to the American Congress.' He introduced the first federal anti-lynching bill in 1900. His departure marked the completion of Black political exclusion from the South.