Emanuel Cleaver

Infobox_Congressman
name = Emanuel Cleaver II


state = Missouri
district = 5th
term_start = January 3, 2005
preceded = Karen McCarthy
succeeded = incumbent
party = Democrat
date of birth = birth date and age|1944|10|26
place of birth = flagicon|Texas Waxahachie, Texas, USA
death_date =
death_place =
alma_mater = Prairie View A&M University, St. Paul School of Theology
profession = minister
religion = United Methodist
spouse = Diane Cleaver
residence = Kansas City, Missouri

The Reverend Emanuel Cleaver II (born October 26, 1944) is a United Methodist pastor and a Democratic politician from the state of Missouri. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in November 2004 to represent ushr|Missouri|5| ( [http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/mo05_109.gifmap] ), which primarily consists of the Kansas City-Jackson County metro area. Cleaver took his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives at the start of the 109th Congress on January 4, 2005.

Early life

Born in Waxahachie, Texas, Cleaver grew up in public housing in Wichita Falls, Texas. He graduated from Prairie View A&M University where he was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter organization established for African Americans. Cleaver moved to Kansas City, Missouri where he founded a branch of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and received a Master of Divinity degree from St. Paul School of Theology.

Political career

Cleaver served a city councilman in Kansas City from 1979 to 1991, and was the mayor of Kansas City, Missouri for two terms, from 1991 until 1999. He was the first African American mayor of that city. During the last days of his tenure as Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, Reverend Cleaver agreed to an international visit to London, UK. On the invitation of UK NGO Operation Black Vote he assisted in campaigning for increased electoral participation in the elections for the Mayor of London and the London Assembly. His visit culminated in a keynote speech at Westminster City Hall alongside figures including Ken Livingstone, Simon Hughes and Lee Jasper.

For ten years, the 5th District had been represented in the U.S. House by Democrat Karen McCarthy, who announced in late 2003 that she would not be seeking another term. Despite having served in city government for 20 years, including eight years as mayor, Cleaver posted weak numbers in the primary and general elections. Cleaver defeated former Clinton Administration official Jamie Metzl in the Democratic primary by 60% to 40%. In the general election, Republican Jeanne Patterson used her own fortune to fund her candidacy, and made the race far more competitive than conventional wisdom would suggest for the 5th, which has long been reckoned as a very safe Democratic district. Patterson held Cleaver to only 55 percent of the vote; by comparison, McCarthy won 65 percent in 2002.

2008 presidential campaign

Cleaver has endorsed Hillary Clinton. [ [http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=2953 Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II Endorses Clinton] "hillaryclinton.com", August 21, 2007] Cleaver has claimed that black Democratic superdelegates who support Hillary Clinton have been subjected to harassment, threatened with primary opponents and called “Uncle Tom.” He said they have been told, “You’re not black if you’re not supporting Barack Obama. … It's ugly.” [ [http://primebuzz.kcstar.com/?q=node/10266 Cleaver: Black superdelegates backing Clinton are being "threatened"] "Kansas City Star", Keith Chrostowski, February 28, 2008] On March 30, 2008, he was interviewed on "The Sunday Edition" on CBC Radio and said he realized he was on the losing team: "Even though I don't expect the Kansas City Chiefs to beat the Indianapolis Colts, I cheer for the Kansas City Chiefs." He also explained his support for Trinity United Church of Christ and its former pastor, Jeremiah Wright. [ [http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/trailhead/archive/2008/04/01/what-not-to-say-on-canadian-radio.aspx What Not To Say on Canadian Radio] , Christopher Beam, "Slate", April 1, 2008] [ [http://www.cbc.ca/radioshows/THE_SUNDAY_EDITION/20080330.shtml The Sunday Edition] "CBC Radio, March 30, 2008] Many African-Americans in Cleaver's Congressional District are unhappy with his fervent support of Hillary. According to BlackMissouri.com. [ [http://blackmissouri.com/digest/emanuel-cleaver-of-missouri-endorses-hillary-clinton.html Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri Endorses Hillary] "blackmissouri.com", February 15, 2008] , Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois asked him “if it comes down to the last day and you’re the only superdelegate? … Do you want to go down in history as the one to prevent a black from winning the White House?“I told him I’d think about it," Cleaver explained. Cleaver said during the primary he'd be shocked if Obama isn't the next President, but made it clear he still supported Hillary until she suspended her bid.

Committee Assignments

*Financial Services Committee
**Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
**Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity

References

External links

* [http://www.house.gov/cleaver/ U.S. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver] official site
* [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Emanuel_Cleaver Profile] at SourceWatch Congresspedia