United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
Search the website
Civil Rights

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
About this object
“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

 

Featured Audio

Honoring Ernest Petinaud

Honoring Ernest Petinaud
The Honorable Paul Findley, U.S. Representative of Illinois
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)

Video

Discrimination in the Capitol

Representative Kanjorski discusses race relations at the Capitol during his Page service.
The Honorable Paul E. Kanjorski, U.S. Representative of Pennsylvania
Interview recorded October 26, 2011 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

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
Transcript (PDF)

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
Transcript (PDF)

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
Transcript (PDF)

Audio

Honoring Ernest Petinaud

Honoring Ernest Petinaud
The Honorable Paul Findley, U.S. Representative of Illinois
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

Selecting an African-American Page from the Land of Lincoln
The Honorable Paul Findley, U.S. Representative of Illinois
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

Frank Mitchell
The Honorable Paul Findley, U.S. Representative of Illinois
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

On Being the First African-American Woman on the Force
Arva Marie Johnson, Officer, U.S. Capitol Police Department
Arva Marie Johnson reflects 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

Making History
Frank Mitchell, Page, U.S. House of Representatives
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)
Office of the Historian: history@mail.house.gov
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: art@mail.house.gov, archives@mail.house.gov