Louis Stokes
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Louis Stokes (born February 23, 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio) is a Democratic politician from Ohio. He served in the United States House of Representatives.
Born in Cleveland, Stokes and his brother Carl B. Stokes, lived in one of the first federally funded housing projects the Outhwaite Homes. Stokes served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. After attending Western Reserve University and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Stokes began practicing law in Cleveland in 1953. Stokes argued the seminal "stop and frisk" Terry v. Ohio case in front of the United States Supreme Court in 1968. He was elected to the House in 1968, representing the 21st District on Cleveland's East Side. He shifted to the newly created 11th District, covering much of the same area following a 1992 redistricting. Stokes served 15 terms in total, retiring in 1999.
Stokes's tenure in the House of Representatives consisted of service on the House Appropriations Committee where he was influential in bringing revenue to Cleveland. He was particularly interested in veterans issues and secured funds for health care facilities for veterans in Cleveland. In the 1970s, Stokes served as Chairman of the House Select Committee on Assassinations, charged with investigating the murders of President John F. Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.. Stokes also served on the House committee that investigated the Iran-Contra Affair.
Stokes's brother, Carl B. Stokes, was the first African American mayor of a large American city. His daughter, Angela Stokes, serves as a Cleveland Municipal Court judge while another, Lori Stokes, is a journalist with WABC-TV New York. His son, Chuck Stokes, is also a journalist with WXYZ-TV in Detroit. Funk and soul musician Rick James was a cousin. Stokes and his wife, Jay, have seven grandchildren. Stokes practices law in Cleveland, Ohio and Washington, D.C. Many buildings throughout the country have been named in Stokes honor including: Howard University's medical library, the Cleveland Public Library's main building expansion, GCRTA's Windermere station Louis Stokes Station at Windermere, and the greater Cleveland area Veteran's hospital was renamed the Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center.
The former Congressman was recently inducted into the Karamu House Hall of Fame in 2007 for his contributions to the continued legacy of Cleveland's black settlement house and theatre. Stokes is also a member of the Cleveland Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), located in Cleveland, Ohio, opened the Louis Stokes Museum on September 13, 2007. This Museum houses Stokes memorabilia, video interviews, misc. video footage, awards and a written history about Stokes and his rise to prominence. The museum is located at Outhwaite Homes, 4302 Quincy Avenue. Hours are from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. Private viewings can be scheduled by calling 216-432-3840.
Stokes is now a partner in the law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, with offices in Cleveland and Washington.
[edit] See also
- Election Results, U.S. Representative from Ohio, 21st District
- Election Results, U.S. Representative from Ohio, 11th District
- List of United States Representatives from Ohio
- Western Reserve Historical Society's website about the lives of Louis and Carl Stokes
| Preceded by Charles A. Vanik |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 21st congressional district 1969–1993 |
Succeeded by None |
| Preceded by Dennis E. Eckart |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 11th congressional district 1993–1999 |
Succeeded by Stephanie Tubbs Jones |
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