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Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient
Clarence Mitchell, Jr.
CLARENCE M. MITCHELL, JR.
Awarded by
President Jimmy Carter
June 9, 1980
Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr., for decades waged in the halls of Congress a stubborn, resourceful and historic campaign for social justice. The integrity of this "101st Senator" earned him the respect of friends and adversaries alike. His brilliant advocacy helped translate into law the protests and aspirations of millions consigned too long to second-class citizenship. The hard-won fruits of his labors have made America a better and stronger nation.
Clarence Mitchell, Jr., "101st Senator"
Born in Baltimore, Maryland on March 8, 1911, Clarence Mitchell, Jr., led the struggle for passage of the 1957 Civil Rights Act, the 1960 Civil Rights Act, the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the 1968 Fair Housing Act, and all of their strengthening provisions. He also sought constructive national policies, such as presidential executive orders barring discrimination in employment, and directives ending segregation on military bases. His greatest contribution to strengthening our democracy was getting the Congress to join the courts and the Executive Branch in upholding the Constitution for protection of the rights of African Americans. He was popularly called the "101st senator." In 1980, President Carter presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom .
Clarence Mitchell, Jr., Papers
A Research Project by Prof. Denton L. Watson
at SUNY College at Old Westbury
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Medal History
