1897

George Henry White of North Carolina, elected in 1896 and re-elected in 1898 despite the white supremacist campaign around him, was the only Black member of Congress from 1897 to 1901. In 1900 he introduced the first federal anti-lynching bill in Congress, which was killed in committee. In his farewell speech in January 1901 he warned: 'This is perhaps the Negroes' temporary farewell to the American Congress.' No Black congressman would serve again for 28 years.

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.

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