The Institution

Frank Mitchell with Representatives Findley, Arends, and Ford/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_mitchell_sponsors.xml Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
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“But what I did do was carry myself with dignity and respect, and I hope I made it easier for the next guy or woman coming along, so that there wouldn’t be any hesitation. Because I have to think that, with the way folks thought back then, was that the reason no one had been appointed was because with whatever stereotypes they had of black people, they said, ‘Well, maybe a black person can’t handle it, or whatever.’ Well, I hope I helped knock down some of those myths. So in that way, I did my part.”—Frank Mitchell, August 6, 2008
   Page, U.S. House of Representatives

 

Video

Discrimination in the Capitol

Representative Kanjorski discusses racial relations at the Capitol during his Page service.

The Honorable Paul Kanjorski, U.S. Representative of Pennsylvania
Interview recorded October 26, 2011 Deed of Gift

Significance of Being the First Female Page for the House of Representatives

Reflections on the lifetime impact of the Page experience.

Felda Looper, Page, U.S. House of Representatives
Interview recorded January 25, 2010 Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Memories of Historic Legislation

Civil Rights legislation and reflections on breaking racial barriers in the House of Representatives.

Frank Mitchell, Page, U.S. House of Representatives
Interview recorded June 2, 2010 Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Consequences of Historic Appointment

Representative Dellums reflects on how his appointment to the House Armed Services Committee affected the Congressional Black Caucus.

The Honorable Ronald V. Dellums, U.S. Representative of California
Interview recorded April 19, 2012 Deed of Gift

First African-American Member on the House Armed Services Committee

Representative Dellums describes an important meeting with Speaker of the House Carl Albert of Oklahoma, and his historic appointment to the House Armed Services Committee.

The Honorable Ronald V. Dellums, U.S. Representative of California
Interview recorded April 19, 2012 Deed of Gift

Sharing a Chair on the First Day

Representative Dellums recalls the unusual circumstances he and Congresswoman Pat Schroeder of Colorado faced on their first day on the House Armed Services Committee.

The Honorable Ronald V. Dellums, U.S. Representative of California
Interview recorded April 19, 2012 Deed of Gift

Audio

Honoring Ernest Petinaud

Representative Paul Findley of Illinois remembers when the House honored longtime House Restaurant employee, Ernest Petinaud.

The Honorable Paul Findley, U.S. Representative of Illinois
Interview recorded January 12, 2015 Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Selecting an African-American Page from the Land of Lincoln

Representative Paul Findley of Illinois describes how Frank Mitchell became a House Page.

The Honorable Paul Findley, U.S. Representative of Illinois
Interview recorded January 12, 2015 Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Frank Mitchell

Representative Paul Findley of Illinois remembers Frank Mitchell, the first modern-era African-American House Page.

The Honorable Paul Findley, U.S. Representative of Illinois
Interview recorded January 12, 2015 Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

On Being the First African-American Woman on the Force

Reflection on what it meant to be the first African-American woman on the Capitol Police Force.

Arva Marie Johnson, Officer, U.S. Capitol Police Department
Interview recorded March 1, 2007 Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Making History

Historical perspective of being the first African-American House Page to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 20th century.

Frank Mitchell, Page, U.S. House of Representatives
Interview recorded August 6, 2008 Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)