Charles Diggs, Jr.
| Charles Diggs | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 13th district |
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In office January 3, 1955 – June 3, 1980 |
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| Preceded by | George D. O'Brien |
| Succeeded by | George W. Crockett, Jr. |
| Member of the Michigan State Senate from the 3rd District | |
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In office 1951–1954 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Charles Coles Diggs Jr. December 2, 1922 Detroit, Michigan |
| Died | August 24, 1998 (aged 75) Washington, D.C. |
| Resting place |
Detroit Memorial Park Warren, Michigan |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Anna Diggs Taylor (divorced 1971) |
| Alma mater |
University of Michigan Detroit College of Law (1952-52) Fisk University |
| Religion | Holiness |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1943-1945 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Detroit Memorial Park
Charles Coles Diggs Jr. (December 2, 1922 – August 24, 1998) was an African-American politician from the U.S. state of Michigan. Diggs was an early member of the civil rights movement. He attended the trial of Emmett Till's murderers, and was elected the first chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Diggs resigned from the United States House of Representatives and served 14 months of a three-year sentence for mail fraud, although he maintained his innocence. He was the first African American elected to Congress from Michigan.
Born in Detroit, Charles was the only child of Mayme E. Jones Diggs, and Charles Diggs, Sr. He attended the University of Michigan, Detroit College of Law (1952-52) and Fisk University. and served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1945. After his discharge, Diggs worked as a funeral director. He served as a member of the Michigan State Senate from the 3rd district 1951-54, just as his father had from 1937 to 1944.
He was rooted in his family's business, the House of Diggs, which at one time was said to be Michigan's largest funeral home.
In 1954, Diggs defeated incumbent U.S. Representative George D. O'Brien in the Democratic Party primary elections for Michigan’s 13th congressional district. He went on to win the general election to the 84th Congress and was subsequently re-elected to the next twelve Congresses, serving from January 3, 1955, until his resignation June 3, 1980.
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