They came in droves to pay tribute yesterday to a man they lauded as a civil rights pioneer, mentor and uncompromising activist for social justice. And together, the political dignitaries, civic leaders and family members made one promise: The legacy of Parren J. Mitchell will live on.
Mitchell, who died May 28 of complications from pneumonia, was remembered during a four-hour memorial service at West Baltimore's cavernous St. James Episcopal Church for his remarkable firsts.
He sued the University of Maryland, College Park and became the first black student to enroll in its graduate courses. And in 1970, Mitchell became the first African-American elected to Congress from Maryland.
Over the course of eight terms, the slight, soft-spoken official became known as an eloquent debater and firebrand. He helped found the Congressional Black Caucus, later serving as its chairman. And as a passionate advocate for economic opportunity, he successfully fought for minority set-asides for government contracts.
"He came as a pioneer, he came to make a difference, he came as a fighter," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the more than 300 mourners who packed the church, as scores more admirers sat in lawn chairs in Lafayette Square, where speakers broadcast the service.
"Across the 85 years of Parren Mitchell's life - in his own story and the story of America - we see the slow march of progress," said Pelosi, who recalled how her family admired Mitchell. He had held posts in the administrations of two Baltimore mayors, Theodore R. McKeldin and Pelosi's brother, Thomas J. D'Alesandro III.
"We celebrate today a man who made sure that, however slow at times, we continue to march in the right direction - toward peace, understanding, and justice for all," Pelosi said.
In addition to Pelosi, Rep. John Conyers Jr. of Michigan - who helped found the caucus with Mitchell - spoke during the service.
Who's who of politics
The list of attendees read like a who's who of Maryland politics, including Gov. Martin O'Malley, Maryland Sens. Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski, Mayor Sheila Dixon, numerous members of Maryland's congressional delegation and the General Assembly and former Rep. Kweisi Mfume, who called Mitchell his "political father."
"Common law and experience tells us politics changes people," Mfume said. "But Parren changed politics. He put a human face on it. He made it real."
