10 Facts About Lucien Blackwell

Lucien Edward Blackwell was an American boxer, longshoreman, and politician.

Lucien Blackwell served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1973 to 1975, Philadelphia City Council from 1975 to 1991, and the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 1995.

Lucien Blackwell was a boxing champion during his years in the Army.

Lucien Blackwell sponsored the Philadelphia's first law to create opportunities for minorities and women to compete to obtain city contracts.

Lucien Blackwell was heavily involved in legislation to create the Pennsylvania Convention Center and in passing the law that broke Philadelphia's long-standing building height limit, allowing for the construction of Philadelphia's One Liberty Place.

Lucien Blackwell was elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Second Congress by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative Bill Gray, and reelected to the succeeding Congress.

In Congress, Lucien Blackwell was a member of the United States House Committee on the Budget and a reliable advocate for President Bill Clinton's economic policies.

Lucien Blackwell was ultimately an unsuccessful candidate for renomination to the One Hundred Fourth Congress in 1994, losing the primary to Chaka Fattah, and served as lobbyist following his tenure in Congress.

On January 24,2003, Lucien Blackwell died at the age of 71.

Lucien Blackwell's widow, Jannie Lucien Blackwell, was formerly a member of the Philadelphia City Council, representing the Third District, and his son, Thomas, was a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.