Augustus F. Hawkins, the first African American from California to be elected to Congress and a champion of workers, fair housing and civil rights, has died. He was 100.
Hawkins, a Democrat who represented South Los Angeles first in the state Legislature and then in Congress for more than half a century, died Saturday at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Md., of symptoms related to old age, his niece, Susan Jefferson, said Monday.
He began his public service career in an era that was far less congenial to minority politicians, serving as a state assemblyman from 1935 before winning election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1962 as the civil rights movement was taking center stage.
By the time he retired in 1990, Hawkins had served as a legislator for much of the 20th century.
His legislative legacy includes a key role in shaping federal statutes, most importantly as sponsor of the equal employment section of the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act that created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Hawkins fought with president after president for minimum-wage increases and, with Sen. Hubert Humphrey (D-Minn.), wrote the Humphrey-Hawkins Act of 1978 that was designed to reduce unemployment and inflation.
He also helped form the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971 and was the dean of the caucus when he retired.
Rep. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles) said Hawkins had mentored a generation of black politicians.
"He was 'the only' for a long time," she said, referring to his role as one of the first African American members of the Assembly and Congress. "It was Gus Hawkins who gave us the credibility. It was Gus Hawkins who gave us the ideas. . . . He has left a sterling legacy."
In a statement, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles), who holds Hawkins' former seat, called him "the author of some of the most significant legislation ever passed in the House . . . particularly in the areas of education and labor. . . . He cared about poor and working people."
Waters considered him a mentor as did Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke, who met Hawkins in the 1950s when he spoke at her UCLA political science class.
"He passed on a new tradition -- that African Americans can be elected, get high position in committees and set the tone and become leaders. He was a leader," said Burke, who served in the House with Hawkins in the 1970s.
