Lucien E. Blackwell
| Lucien E. Blackwell | |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 2nd district |
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In office November 5, 1991 – January 3, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | William Gray |
| Succeeded by | Chaka Fattah |
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 188th district |
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In office January 2, 1973 – November 30, 1976 |
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| Preceded by | James O'Donnell |
| Succeeded by | Alija Dumas |
| Member of the Philadelphia City Council from the 3rd District | |
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In office January 7, 1974 – February 7, 1991 |
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| Preceded by | Paul D'Ortona |
| Succeeded by | Jannie Blackwell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 1, 1931 Whitsett, Pennsylvania |
| Died | January 24, 2003 (aged 71) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Jannie Blackwell |
| Children | Thomas W. Blackwell |
Lucien Edward Blackwell (August 1, 1931 – January 24, 2003) was a United States Congressman who represented West Philadelphia and parts of Delaware County, Pennsylvania from 1991 to 1995. He was a Democrat.
Blackwell was born in Whitsett, Fayette County, Pennsylvania on August 1, 1931. After attending public schools, Blackwell joined the United States Army, serving in the Korean War in 1953. Blackwell was a boxing champion during his years in the Army. Blackwell attended West Philadelphia High School.
Blackwell was a powerful Philadelphia union leader, serving as president of the Local 1332, International Longshoremen’s Association from 1973 to 1991. Blackwell's professional political career began with election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives where he served from 1973 to 1975.
Blackwell was best known as a vibrant member of the Philadelphia City Council from 1974 to 1991. While serving on the Council, Blackwell served several terms as Chairman of the Finance Committee, where he led the charge to divest pension funds from businesses doing business in South Africa. Blackwell also sponsored the Philadelphia's first law to create opportunities for minorities and women to compete to obtain city contracts. Blackwell was also heavily involved in legislation to create the Pennsylvania Convention Center and in passing the law that broke Philadelphia's long-standing building height limit, allowing for the construction of Philadelphia's One Liberty Place. Blackwell was perhaps best known for his fiery oratory on the Council floor and for serving as a mentor to the former Philadelphia Mayor (and Council President) John Street. During his City Council tenure, Blackwell was an unsuccessful candidate for mayor of Philadelphia in both 1979 and 1991.
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