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    Parren J. Mitchell is a retired U.S. Representative from Maryland's Seventh District, which is comprised of about two-thirds of the City of Baltimore, and a portion of Baltimore County.
    Championing the causes of the Black and poor comes naturally to Mitchell. In 1950, Mitchell filed suit to compel the University of Maryland to enroll him as its first Black graduate student. There, he completed his master's degree in sociology and was admitted to the school's honor society. After receiving his master's degree, MItchell returned to teach at his alma mater, Morgan State University. 
    As Executive Director of Baltimore's anti-poverty program in the late 60's, Mitchell lobbied Washington for his agency's programs. Also during the 1960's he served as Executive Secretary for the Maryland Human Relations Commission, and played the pivotal role in the enactment and implementation of Maryland's statewide Public Accomodation Law. 
    In 1970, he was elected Maryland's first Black Congressman.
    In 1976, Mitchell attached to President Carter $4 billion Public Works Bill and amendment that compelled state, county and municipal government seeking federal; grants to set aside 10 percent of the money to retain minority firms as contractors, subcontractors, $625 million (15%) going to legitimate minority firms.
    He also introduced the legislation which, in 1978, became Public Law 95-507, that requires proposals from contractors to spell out their goals for awarding contracts to minority contractors. This law potentially provides access to billions of dolalrs for minority busineses. His amendment to the $71 billion dollar Surface Transportaion Act of 1980, requires a 10 percent set-asides for minority businesses. 
    He served as: Whip-At-Large; senior Member of the House Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs Committee of its Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy; Chairman of the Small Business Committee, Chairman of its Task Force on Minority Enterprise; Chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing, Minority Enterprise and Economic Development of the Congressional Black Caucas; a member of the Joint Economic Committtee; and on the Presidential Commission on the National Agenda for the Eighties.
    He holds a total of eleven Honorary Degrees, i.e., five Doctor of Humane letters; four Doctor of Law, two Doctor of Social Sciences.
    It has been said of him, "Parren's emotions are those of a Patrick Henry... he didnt say give me liberty later.. Parren is one of God's angry men."