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{{Short description|American politician (1935–2018)}} | |||
{{Infobox Congressman | |||
{{use mdy dates|date=July 2018}} | |||
|name=Ron Dellums | |||
{{Infobox officeholder | |||
|image=Rondellums105th.jpg | |||
| image = Official portrait of Ron Dellums.jpg | |||
|caption=Dellums' official photo for the ] | |||
| caption = Official portrait, {{circa}} 2007 | |||
|state=] | |||
| office = 48th ] | |||
|district=] | |||
| term_start = January 8, 2007 | |||
|party=] | |||
| term_end = January 3, 2011 | |||
|term=1971–1998 | |||
| predecessor = ] | |||
|preceded=] | |||
| successor = ] | |||
|succeeded=] | |||
| office1 = Ranking Member of the ] | |||
|date of birth={{birth date and age |1935|11|24}} | |||
| term_start1 = January 3, 1995 | |||
|place of birth=], ] | |||
| term_end1 = February 6, 1998 | |||
|date of death= | |||
| predecessor1 = ] | |||
|place of death= | |||
| successor1 = ] | |||
|spouse=Leola "Roscoe" Higgs, Cynthia Lewis | |||
| office2 = Chair of the ] | |||
|children=], ], Brandy, Pam and ]. | |||
| term_start2 = January 20, 1993 | |||
|current occupation=lobbyist, mayor of Oakland, California | |||
| term_end2 = January 3, 1995 | |||
| predecessor2 = ] | |||
| successor2 = ] | |||
| office3 = Chair of the ] | |||
| term_start3 = January 3, 1979 | |||
| term_end3 = January 20, 1993 | |||
| predecessor3 = ] | |||
| successor3 = ] | |||
| office4 = Member of the<br />]<br />from ] | |||
| term_start4 = January 3, 1971 | |||
| term_end4 = February 6, 1998 | |||
| predecessor4 = ] | |||
| successor4 = ] | |||
| constituency4 = ] (1971–1975)<br />] (1975–1993)<br />] (1993–1998) | |||
| birth_name = Ronald Vernie Dellums | |||
| birth_date = {{birth date|1935|11|24}} | |||
| birth_place = ], U.S. | |||
| death_date = {{death date and age|2018|7|30|1935|11|24}} | |||
| death_place = ], U.S. | |||
| resting_place = ] | |||
| party = ] | |||
| spouse = {{plainlist| | |||
* {{marriage|Athurine Dellums|1955|1959|end=divorced}} | |||
* {{marriage|Roscoe Higgs|1961|1998|reason=div}} | |||
* {{marriage|Cynthia Lewis|2000}} | |||
}} | }} | ||
| children = 6, including ] and ] | |||
| relatives = ] (uncle) | |||
| education = ]<br />] (])<br />] (]) | |||
| allegiance = {{flag|United States}} | |||
| branch = {{flag|United States Marine Corps}} | |||
| serviceyears = 1954–1956 | |||
| rank = ] ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://baic.house.gov/member-profiles/profile.html?intID=38 |access-date=February 25, 2012 |work=Black Americans in Congress |title=Ronald V. Dellums, Representative from California |publisher=] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308034431/http://baic.house.gov/member-profiles/profile.html?intID=38 |archive-date=March 8, 2012}}</ref> | |||
| otherparty = ] | |||
| module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Rep. Ron Dellums on the Conference Report for the FY1995 Defense Authorization Bill.ogg|title=Ron Dellums's voice|type=speech|description=Dellums, as chair of the ], outlines the conference report for the FY1995 ]<br/>Recorded August 17, 1994}} | |||
}} | |||
'''Ronald Vernie Dellums''' (November 24, 1935 – July 30, 2018) was an American politician who served as ] from 2007 to 2011. He had previously served thirteen terms as a Member of the ] from ], in office from 1971 to 1998, after which he worked as a ] in ] | |||
Dellums was born into a family of labor organizers, and enlisted in the ] before serving on the ], ]. He was the first ] elected to Congress from ] and the first successful openly ] non-incumbent Congressional candidate after World War II.<ref name=dsa>{{cite news | |||
'''Ronald Vernie "Ron" Dellums''' (born ], ]), ] politician, is the Mayor of the City of ]. He was a ] from ] from 1971 until his resignation on ], ] and following that, a ] until his election as mayor. He is the 47th mayor of Oakland. He is Oakland's second African-American mayor. | |||
|title=A Brief History of the American Left | |||
|author=Maurice Isserman | |||
|publisher=Democratic Socialists of America | |||
|url=http://www.dsausa.org/about/history.html | |||
|url-status=dead | |||
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060802192545/http://www.dsausa.org/about/history.html | |||
|archive-date=August 2, 2006 | |||
}}</ref> His politics earned him a place on ]. | |||
During his career in Congress, he fought the ] project and opposed expansion of the ] program. When President ] vetoed Dellums's ] of 1986, a ] House and a ] Senate overrode Reagan's ], the first override of a presidential foreign-policy veto in the 20th century.<ref name=ebony>{{cite news | |||
Dellums was the first ] elected to Congress from Northern California and the first openly ] Congressman since ].<ref name=dsa>{{cite news | |||
|title= |
|title=How African-Americans helped free South Africa | ||
|work=Ebony | |||
|author=Maurice Isserman | |||
|date=August 1994 | |||
|publisher=Democratic Socialists of America | |||
|author=Lynn Norment | |||
|url=http://www.dsausa.org/about/history.html}}</ref> | |||
|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n10_v49/ai_15687226 | |||
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227103019/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n10_v49/ai_15687226 | |||
|url-status=dead | |||
|archive-date=February 27, 2009 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
==Early life== | ==Early years and family life== | ||
] at the Oakland ] station.]] | |||
Dellums was born in Oakland. His father, Verney Dellums, was a ]. His uncle, ], was one of the organizers and leaders of the ]. | |||
Dellums was born in ], to Verney and Willa (Terry) Dellums. His father was a ]. His uncle, ], was one of the organizers and leaders of the ]. He had a younger sister, Theresa. His mother Willa died on August 17, 2008, at the age of 89.<ref>Christopher Heredia , ''San Francisco Gate'', August 20, 2008</ref> | |||
He attended ] and ].<ref name=pww2>{{cite news | |||
|title=Mayor-elect Ron Dellums: Oakland ‘can be a great city’ | |||
|date=June 24, 2006 | |||
|publisher=People's Weekly World | |||
|url=http://www.pww.org/article/articleview/9392/1/266/ | |||
}}</ref> | |||
Dellums attended St. Patrick Catholic School, ] and ].<ref name=pww2>{{cite news | |||
He served in the ] from 1954 to 1956. Dellums later received his ] from the ] in 1958, his ] from the ] in 1960, and his ] from the ] in 1962.<ref name=sfgate1>{{cite news | |||
|title=Mayor-elect Ron Dellums: Oakland 'can be a great city' | |||
|url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/10/08/MNGSVF4LG21.DTL | |||
|date=June 24, 2006 | |||
|title=Dellums enters Oakland mayor race as favorite | |||
|work=People's Weekly World | |||
|author=Jim Herron Zamora | |||
|url=http://www.pww.org/article/articleview/9392/1/266/ | |||
|coauthors=Janine DeFao | |||
|url-status=dead | |||
|publisher=San Francisco Chronicle | |||
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061002124112/http://www.pww.org/article/articleview/9392/1/266/ | |||
|date=October 8, 2005}}</ref> He became a ] ] and political activist in the ] community beginning in the 1960s.<ref name=sfgate1/> He also taught at the ] and the ].<ref name=aareg>{{cite news | |||
|archive-date=October 2, 2006 | |||
|publisher=The African American Registry | |||
}}</ref> He served in the ] from 1954 to 1956. Dellums later received his ] from the ], now Merritt College, in 1958, his ] from ] in 1960, and his ] from the ] in 1962.<ref name=sfgate1>{{cite news|url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/10/08/MNGSVF4LG21.DTL|title=Dellums enters Oakland mayor race as favorite|author=Jim Herron Zamora|author2=Janine DeFao | |||
|title=Ron Dellums, an Active Presensce from California | |||
|work=San Francisco Chronicle|date=October 8, 2005}}</ref> He became a ] ] and political activist in the ] community beginning in the 1960s.<ref name=sfgate1 /> He also taught at ] and the ].<ref name=aareg>{{cite news | |||
|url=http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/2670/Ron_Dellums_an_active_presence_from_California | |||
|publisher=The African American Registry | |||
|title=Ron Dellums, an Active Presence from California | |||
|url=http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/2670/Ron_Dellums_an_active_presence_from_California | |||
|url-status=dead | |||
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061027021907/http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/2670/Ron_Dellums_an_active_presence_from_California | |||
|archive-date=October 27, 2006 | |||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
Dellums |
Dellums was a member of ] fraternity.<ref name=cornell>{{cite web | ||
|url=http://www.rso.cornell.edu/alpha/prominent/government.html | |url=http://www.rso.cornell.edu/alpha/prominent/government.html | ||
|title=Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha | |title=Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha | ||
|access-date=October 24, 2006 | |||
|accessdate=2006-10-24 | |||
}}</ref> He |
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060915121329/http://www.rso.cornell.edu/alpha/prominent/government.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = September 15, 2006}}</ref> He was also a member of the fraternity's ], a ] whose purpose is to expand the fraternity's involvement in politics, and social and current policy to encompass international concerns.<ref name=wpc>{{cite web | ||
|url=http://www.alphaphialpha.net/news/feature_articles.html#wpc | |url=http://www.alphaphialpha.net/news/feature_articles.html#wpc | ||
|title=Alpha Phi Alpha's World Policy Council | |title=Alpha Phi Alpha's World Policy Council | ||
|access-date=October 24, 2006 | |||
|accessdate=2006-10-24 | |||
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061010181646/http://www.alphaphialpha.net/news/feature_articles.html#wpc <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = October 10, 2006}}</ref> | |||
}}</ref> | |||
Dellums was married three times. He married his second wife, attorney Leola "Roscoe" Higgs, in 1961. The two divorced in 1998.<ref name=nndb /> He married his third wife, Cynthia Lewis, in 2000.<ref name="nytobit">{{Cite news|last=McFadden|first=Robert D.|date=2018-07-30|title=Ron Dellums, 82, Dies; Unrelenting in Congress, He Upheld Left's Ideals|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/30/obituaries/ron-dellums-forceful-liberal-in-congress-for-27-years-dies-at-82.html|access-date=2021-08-24|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> | |||
One son, Michael, was convicted of a drug-related homicide in 1979, and remains in prison, being repeatedly denied parole due to bad behavior.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/11/04/BAGQ8FJ3F11.DTL | title=Candidates both have problem son | first=Chip | last=Johnson | date=November 4, 2005 | work=The San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref> Dellums had five other children: anthropologist Rachel R. Chapman, professional actor ], author ], Brandon and Pam; six grandchildren: Danielle Henderson, Jacob Holmes, Sydney Ross, Dylan Ross, Olivia Dellums, and actress ]; and two great-grandchildren: Jared Henderson and Charli Henderson.<ref name=nytobit /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Ron-Dellums-former-congressman-and-Oakland-13116263.php|title = Ron Dellums, former congressman and Oakland mayor, dies at age 82|date = August 4, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McClintok |first=Pamela |date=September 17, 2022 |title=Next Big Thing: Solea Pfeiffer on 'A Jazzman's Blues' and "Getting To Represent Who I Am" on Screen |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/solea-pfeiffer-a-jazzmans-blues-almost-famous-1235220814/ |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=]}}</ref> | |||
==Political career== | |||
] | |||
Dellums has been in politics for over forty years. He has held positions on the Berkeley city council, in the US House of Representatives, and is the mayor of Oakland, for the term beginning ] ]. | |||
==Berkeley City Council== | |||
Dellums was elected to the ] ], after prompting from ],<ref> | Dellums was elected to the ] ], after prompting from ],<ref> | ||
{{cite news |
{{cite news | ||
| last = Burress | | last = Burress | ||
| first = Charles | | first = Charles | ||
| coauthors = | |||
| title = The Idealist's Idealist - Maudelle Shirek | | title = The Idealist's Idealist - Maudelle Shirek | ||
| newspaper = San Francisco Chronicle | |||
| work = | |||
| date = November 17, 2000 | |||
| pages = | |||
| language = English | |||
| publisher = San Francisco Chronicle | |||
| date = 2000-11-17 | |||
| url = http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/Maudelle-Shirek-Idealist-Berkeley.htm | | url = http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/Maudelle-Shirek-Idealist-Berkeley.htm | ||
| |
| url-status = dead | ||
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20020415051438/http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/Maudelle-Shirek-Idealist-Berkeley.htm | |||
and served from 1967 to 1970.<ref name=congbio>{{cite news |publisher=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |title=Dellums, Ronald Vernie |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000222}}</ref> | |||
| archive-date = April 15, 2002 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
and served from 1967 to 1970.<ref name=congbio>{{cite news |work=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |title=Dellums, Ronald Vernie |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000222}}</ref> | |||
==U.S. Congress== | |||
Dellums was elected to the ] in 1970 after being recruited by anti-] activists to run against the incumbent, ], a white ] close to ] who had not opposed the war early enough to win reelection in the district. Dellums defeated Cohelan in the Democratic primary and won the general election, serving without interruption for 27 years.<ref name=OU>{{cite news | |||
|publisher=The Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center | |publisher=The Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center | ||
|title=Jeffrey Cohelan Collection | |title=Jeffrey Cohelan Collection | ||
|url=http://ou.edu/special/albertctr/archives/cohelan.htm | |url=http://ou.edu/special/albertctr/archives/cohelan.htm | ||
|url-status=dead | |||
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821135707/http://www.ou.edu/special/albertctr/archives/cohelan.htm | |||
|archive-date=August 21, 2006 | |||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
In 1972, Dellums was reelected to Congress, 60 to 38 percent over his Republican opponent, ], an advisor to then ] ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=757322|title=CA District 07 (1972)|publisher=ourcampaigns.com|access-date=September 19, 2013}}</ref> | |||
His politics earned him a place on the so-called ], where his notation stated Dellums "had extensive ]-] support in his election bid."<ref name=wustl>{{cite news | His politics earned him a place on the so-called ], where his notation stated Dellums "had extensive ]-] support in his election bid."<ref name=wustl>{{cite news | ||
|title=List of White House 'Enemies' and Memo Submitted by Dean to the Ervin Committee | |title=List of White House 'Enemies' and Memo Submitted by Dean to the Ervin Committee | ||
|work=Watergate and the White House, vol. 1 | |work=Watergate and the White House, vol. 1 | ||
|pages= |
|pages=96–97 | ||
|publisher=Facts on File | |publisher=Facts on File | ||
|url=http:/ |
|url=http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/~polisci/calvert/PolSci3103/watergate/enemy.htm | ||
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030621235432/http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/~polisci/calvert/PolSci3103/watergate/enemy.htm | |||
|publisher=The Washington Post | |||
|archive-date=June 21, 2003}}</ref><ref name=WaPo1>{{cite news | |||
|newspaper=The Washington Post | |||
|title=A 21-Gun Send-Off | |title=A 21-Gun Send-Off | ||
|author=Megan Rosenfeld | |author=Megan Rosenfeld | ||
|date=February 7, 1998 | |date=February 7, 1998 | ||
|page=A06 | |page=A06 | ||
|url= |
|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/keyraces98/stories/cahouse020798.htm | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
===Foreign policy=== | |||
====Vietnam war crimes hearings==== | |||
During his tenure in Congress, Dellums opposed every major American ], except for emergency relief in Somalia in 1992.<ref name="nytobit"/> Dellums also supported the restriction of foreign aid to repressive African governments in ] (present-day ]), ], ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-07-30|title=Tributes Pour Out for Ron Dellums, Celebrated US Congressman Who Worked to Dismantle Apartheid|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/ron-dellums-us-congressman-south-african-apartheid-has-died/|access-date=2021-08-24|website=OkayAfrica|language=en}}</ref> | |||
]]] | |||
In January, 1971, just weeks into his first term, Dellums set up an exhibit of ] ]s in an annex to his Congressional office. The exhibit featured four large posters depicting atrocities allegedly committed by American soldiers, embellished with red paint. This was followed shortly thereafter by a series of hearings on alleged war crimes in Vietnam, which began ], ]. Dellums had called for formal investigations into the allegations, but Congress chose not to endorse the proceedings. As such, the hearings were ''ad hoc'' and only informational in nature. As a condition of room use, press and camera presence were not permitted; however, the proceedings were transcribed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vietnam War Crimes Hearings |url=http://members.aol.com/warlibrary/vwch1.htm}}</ref> A small number of other anti-Vietnam War congressional representatives also took part in the hearings. | |||
====Anti-apartheid campaign==== | ====Anti-apartheid campaign==== | ||
] | |||
In 1972, Dellums began his campaign to end the ] policies of ]. Fourteen years later, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Dellums's anti-apartheid legislation, calling for a trade embargo against South Africa and immediate divestment by American corporations. The bill, the ] of 1986, had broad bipartisan support. It called for sanctions against South Africa and stated preconditions for lifting the sanctions, including the release of all political prisoners. ] called for a policy of "constructive engagement" and ]ed the bill; however, his veto was overridden. It was the first override in the 20th century of a presidential foreign policy veto.<ref name=ebony>{{cite news | |||
In 1972, Dellums began his campaign to end the ] policies of ]. Fourteen years later, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Dellums's anti-apartheid legislation, calling for a trade restriction against South Africa and immediate ] by American corporations. The bill, the ] of 1986, had broad bipartisan support. It called for sanctions against South Africa and stated preconditions for lifting the sanctions, including the release of all political prisoners. President Reagan called for a policy of "constructive engagement" and ]ed the bill; however, his veto was overridden. It was the first override in the 20th century of a presidential foreign policy veto.<ref name="ebony" /> | |||
|title=How African-Americans helped free South Africa | |||
|work=Nelson Mandela and the New South Africa | |||
|publisher=Ebony | |||
|date=August, 1994 | |||
|author=Lynn Norment | |||
|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n10_v49/ai_15687226 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
Dellums' fight against apartheid in South Africa was the subject of a ] made-for-TV |
Dellums's fight against apartheid in South Africa was the subject of a ] made-for-TV film, '']'', released in 2000. The role of Congressman Dellums was played in the film by actor ].<ref name=starpulse>{{cite web|url=http://www.starpulse.com/movie/The_Color_of_Friendship/V184737/0/0/|title=The Color of Friendship Summary, Cast & Crew - Starpulse.com<!-- Bot generated title -->|access-date=July 30, 2018}}</ref> | ||
====Cold War conflicts in southern Africa==== | ====Cold War conflicts in southern Africa==== | ||
As part of the ] struggle for influence in southern Africa, the ] joined with the apartheid government of South Africa in support of ], led by ], against the ultimately victorious ]n forces of the ] supported by the ] and |
As part of the ] struggle for influence in southern Africa, the ] joined with the apartheid government of South Africa in support of ], led by ], against the ultimately victorious ]n forces of the ] supported by the ] and ]. Dellums was criticized for his support of ]'s involvement with the ] in Angola and was called "the prototype of the Castroite congressman" by the conservative press.<ref name=NR1>{{cite news | ||
|title=In Castro's Corner — African Americans' alleged affinity for Cuba | |title=In Castro's Corner — African Americans' alleged affinity for Cuba | ||
| |
|work=National Review | ||
|date=March 6, 2000 | |date=March 6, 2000 | ||
|author=Jay Nordlinger | |author=Jay Nordlinger | ||
|author-link=Jay Nordlinger | |||
|url=http://www.highbeam.com/library/docFree.asp?DOCID=1G1:65913443 | |||
}}</ref> He also introduced legislation (which was unsuccessful) in September 1987 to prohibit economic and military assistance to ], citing poor human rights, corruption, and |
|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/225118/castros-corner/flashback}}</ref> He also introduced legislation (which was unsuccessful) in September 1987 to prohibit economic and military assistance to ], citing poor human rights, corruption, and collaboration with ].<ref>Jeffrey M. Elliot and ], ''Voices of Zaire: Rhetoric or Reality'', p. 16.</ref> | ||
====''Dellums v. Bush'' (1990)==== | |||
In 1990, Dellums and 44<ref>Martin Tolchin, "MIDEAST TENSIONS; 45 in House Sue to Bar Bush From Acting Alone", ''The New York Times'', November 21, 1990.</ref> of his congressional colleagues sued then-president ] in ] in 1990, in the case '']'', 752 F. Supp. 1141 (1990) attempting to halt a preemptive military buildup in the Middle East in response to ] of ].<ref name="DVB">{{cite web |title=Dellums v Bush |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/752/1141/1588277/ |website=Justia, US LAW |access-date=31 July 2018}}</ref> The plaintiff members of Congress asserted that military action without a ] would be unlawful under ]. ''Dellums v. Bush'' is notable in that it is one of only a few cases in which the Federal Courts have considered whether the ] of the U.S. Constitution is justiciable in the courts. The Court in ''Dellums v. Bush'' indicated that, in that instance, it was, but because Congress had not yet acted as a majority, the lawsuit was premature.<ref name="DVB" /> | |||
====Military budgets and arms control==== | ====Military budgets and arms control==== | ||
Throughout his career Dellums led campaigns against an array of military projects, arguing that the funds would be better spent on peaceful purposes, especially in American cities. Programs he opposed included the ] and ]s, and the ] (popularly known as the "stealth bomber"). Because of his commitment to the ], Dellums did not oppose the closing of the ] in his own district.<ref name=EBE>{{cite news | Throughout his career Dellums led campaigns against an array of military projects, arguing that the funds would be better spent on peaceful purposes, especially in American cities. Programs he opposed included the ] and ]s, and the ] (popularly known as the "stealth bomber").<ref name="SF4">{{cite news |last1=Raine |first1=George |title=Dellums, retiring, says "that fire' still burns |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Dellums-retiring-says-that-fire-still-burns-3089040.php |access-date=31 July 2018 |publisher=SFGate |date=17 November 1997}}</ref> Because of his commitment to the ], Dellums did not oppose the closing of the former ] in his own district.<ref name=EBE>{{cite news | ||
| |
|work=East Bay Express | ||
|url=http://eastbayexpress.com/ |
|url=http://www.eastbayexpress.com/gyrobase/the-radical-insider/Content?oid=1067212&showFullText=true | ||
|title=The Radical Insider | |title=The Radical Insider | ||
|author=Will Harper | |author=Will Harper | ||
Line 133: | Line 185: | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
The ] is a long-range ], that features ] that makes it far less visible to ]. The B-2 was a major technological advance; however, it was designed during the ] for military scenarios that some argued were less relevant following the collapse of the ]. Its total program cost was estimated in 1997 at over US$2.2 billion per airplane.<ref name=FAS>{{cite news | |||
=====Opposition to the MX missile===== | |||
] | |||
The ] was a "third-generation" ]. One of its advantages over earlier missiles was its greater ]. Unlike previous missiles, the MX was mobile. The design was for fifty missiles to be placed on trains that would be shuttled between numerous hiding sheds around a railroad loop located in remote ]. Another advantage was that the MX was a ]ed missile — each missile had up to ten ]. | |||
Dellums argued that constructing the MX would only propel the ongoing arms race and cause the ] to construct more weapons. He also argued that the issue of ] of existing missiles was a ]; the Soviet Union could not expect a first strike to go unpunished — U.S. nuclear-equipped submarines, bombers and cruise missiles would inflict devastating damage even if all American ICBMs were disabled. As part of the campaign, Dellums met with the ] church in Utah. <!-- Why did he meet with the Mormons? What did that accomplish? — the MX was going to be deployed in Utah (mostly mormon state). as the story goes, they were first wary of him but he convinced them to oppose the MX --> | |||
The MX project was eventually cancelled and the last missile decommissioned in 2005 as part of the ] treaty. | |||
=====Opposition to the B-2 Stealth Bomber===== | |||
] | |||
The ] "]" is a long range ]. Featuring ] that made it far less visible to ], the B-2 was a major technological advance over the existing ] and ] bombers. However, it was designed during the ] for military scenarios that some argued were less relevant following the collapse of the ] and, at over two billion dollars per airplane, critics considered it enormously expensive.<ref name=FAS>{{cite news | |||
|publisher=Federation of American Scientists | |publisher=Federation of American Scientists | ||
|title=B-2 Spirit | |title=B-2 Spirit | ||
|date=November 30, 1999 | |date=November 30, 1999 | ||
|url= |
|url=https://fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/bomber/b-2.htm | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
Although Dellums opposed the B-2 project from the start, Congress approved initial funding for production of 135 bombers in 1987. However, with the winding down of the ], total B-2 production was reduced to 21 aircraft in the early 1990s. But in 1997, seven former ] signed a letter urging Congress to buy more B-2s, citing the difficulty of assembling a similar engineering team in the future should the B-2 project be terminated.<ref name=opensecret>{{cite news | Although Dellums opposed the B-2 project from the start, Congress approved initial funding for production of 135 bombers in 1987. However, with the winding down of the ], total B-2 production was reduced to 21 aircraft in the early 1990s. But in 1997, seven former ] signed a letter urging Congress to buy more B-2s, citing the difficulty of assembling a similar engineering team in the future should the B-2 project be terminated.<ref name=opensecret>{{cite news | ||
|url=http://www.opensecrets.org/pubs/cashingin_defense/defense3.html | |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/pubs/cashingin_defense/defense3.html | ||
|publisher=opensecrets.org | |publisher=opensecrets.org | ||
|title=The B-2 Bomber | |title=The B-2 Bomber | ||
|url-status=dead | |||
}}</ref> Dellums, citing five independent studies consistent with his position, offered an amendment to that year's defense authorization bill to cap production of the bombers with the existing 21 aircraft. The amendment was narrowly defeated;<ref name=Amendment> ], ]</ref> nonetheless, Congress never approved funding for additional B-2 bombers. | |||
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015215304/http://opensecrets.org/pubs/cashingin_defense/defense3.html | |||
|archive-date=October 15, 2007 | |||
}}</ref> Dellums, citing five independent studies consistent with his position, offered an amendment to that year's defense authorization bill to cap production of the bombers with the existing 21 aircraft. The amendment was narrowly defeated;<ref name=Amendment> June 23, 1997.</ref> nonetheless, Congress never approved funding for additional B-2 bombers. | |||
==== |
====Vietnam war crimes hearings==== | ||
In January 1971, just weeks into his first term, Dellums set up an exhibit of ] ]s in an annex to his Congressional office, coordinated with the ] (CCI).<ref name=uhl /> The exhibit featured four large posters depicting atrocities committed by American soldiers, embellished with red paint. | |||
Dellums served as chairman of the ] and the ]. | |||
The ] was followed shortly thereafter by a series of ] on war crimes in Vietnam, which began April 25, 1971. Dellums had called for formal investigations into the allegations, but Congress chose not to endorse the proceedings. As such, the hearings were ''ad hoc'' and only informational in nature. As a condition of room use, press and camera presence were not permitted; however, the proceedings were transcribed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vietnam War Crimes Hearings |url=http://members.aol.com/warlibrary/vwch1.htm}}</ref> A small number of other anti-Vietnam War congressional representatives also took part in the hearings. | |||
===Integration of gays and lesbians in the military=== | |||
In 1993, Dellums was chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Though he argued in favor of integration, Dellums was the sole sponsor of H.R. 2401, introduced on June 14, 1993,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h103-2401|title=H.R. 2401: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994.|publisher=Govtrack.us}}</ref> adding language to the Defense Authorization Act of 1994 to ensure continued support for ] in the military. Although the bill contained that language, Dellums pointed out that he personally found the language unacceptable, stating in the Congressional Record on August 4, 1993: "The bill also contains at least one policy that, while unacceptable to this Member in substantive terms, is not as retrograde as it might have been: It supports the President and the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the issue of allowing gay and lesbian service members to serve their country." Remaining in the bill was Title V Section G "xpresses as congressional policy the prohibition against homosexual conduct or activity in the armed forces. Requires separation from the armed forces for such conduct or activity. Directs the Secretary to ensure that the standards for military appointments and enlistments reflect such policy."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-103hr2401eh/pdf/BILLS-103hr2401eh.pdf|pages=230–238|title=H. R. 2401}}</ref> Dellums's "yes" vote on the bill with the unit cohesion support language was the first time in his 22-year congressional tenure that he voted in favor of any defense spending bill, previously opposing them on economic principles.<ref name="CON8493">{{cite web |title=Congressional Record - 8/4/93 |url=https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/GPO-CRECB-1993-pt13/GPO-CRECB-1993-pt13-1-2 |website=USGov |access-date=31 July 2018}}</ref> However, Dellums gave several economic reasons in the Congressional Record for his "yes" vote, on H.R. 2401, including that "It cuts ballistic missile defense to $3 billion—less than one-half the level planned by the Bush administration ..." and: "it devotes a record $11.2 billion to environmental cleanup and improvement, and does so in a way that will stimulate the development of new technologies and new markets for American firms".<ref name="CON8493" /> | |||
===U.S. House Committee positions=== | |||
Dellums served as chairman of the ] and the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://history.house.gov/Congressional-Overview/Profiles/103rd/|title = Congress Profiles | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives}}</ref> | |||
Dellums also served on the ], the ], the ], and the Select Committee to Investigate the Intelligence Community.<ref name=LOC1> |
Dellums also served on the ], the ], the ], and the Select Committee to Investigate the Intelligence Community.<ref name=LOC1>{{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r105:E04FE8-44:|title=Congress.gov - Library of Congress|website=thomas.loc.gov|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=September 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909023410/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r105:E04FE8-44:|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
Dellums co-founded the ] in 1971 and co-founded the ] in 1991.<ref name=Utex>{{cite web |url=http://utopia.utexas.edu/avoice/about/cbc.html |title=The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - About the Congressional Black Caucus |access-date=August 16, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060823093403/http://utopia.utexas.edu/avoice/about/cbc.html |archive-date=August 23, 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ron Dellums' Living Legacy |url=http://dellumsinstitute.org/livinglegacy |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=The Dellums Institute for Social Justice |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
Dellums co-founded the ] in 1971.<ref name=Utex>http://utopia.utexas.edu/avoice/about/cbc.html</ref> | |||
===Dellums's last Congressional election=== | |||
], 1993.]] | |||
Dellums easily won his next eleven elections in the traditionally Democratic 9th District. In his last House election race, in 1996, Dellums bested his opponent, ] Deborah Wright, by a 77%-18% margin.<ref name=rand>{{cite news | |||
Dellums was reelected 11 times from this Oakland-based district, which changed numbers twice during his tenure–from the 7th (1971–75) to the 8th (1975–93) to the 9th (1993–98). He only dropped below 57 percent of the vote twice, in 1980 and 1982. In his last House election race, in 1996, Dellums bested his opponent, ] Deborah Wright, by a 77%–18% margin.<ref name=rand>{{cite news | |||
|url=http://ca.rand.org/stats/politics/sov/1996gen/rep091196.html | |url=http://ca.rand.org/stats/politics/sov/1996gen/rep091196.html | ||
|title=November 1996 General Election: California 9th Congressional District | |title=November 1996 General Election: California 9th Congressional District | ||
Line 170: | Line 224: | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
In 1997, Dellums announced that he was retiring from Congress in the middle of his term and a ] |
In 1997, Dellums announced that he was retiring from Congress in the middle of his term, and his resignation forced a ] for the balance of his term–– which created a ] as various East Bay politicians ran for different political offices.<ref name="SF4" /> | ||
Dellums' successor, ] won the 2000 election by an even larger, 85% |
Dellums's successor, ], won the 2000 election by an even larger, 85%–9% margin.<ref name=evote>{{cite web|url=http://www.evote.com/elections2000/results/NewStates/CA.asp|title=PlusOne - A place to share your opinion|website=PlusOne|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050410224453/http://www.evote.com/elections2000/results/NewStates/CA.asp|archive-date=April 10, 2005|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> | ||
===Congressional tribute=== | |||
Upon his resignation, several members of Congress, including ],<ref name=house1>{{cite news | Upon his resignation, several members of Congress, including ],<ref name=house1>{{cite news | ||
|url=http://www.house.gov/pelosi/fldellum.htm | |url=http://www.house.gov/pelosi/fldellum.htm | ||
|author=Nancy Pelosi | |author=Nancy Pelosi | ||
|title=Tribute to Congressman Ron Dellums | |title=Tribute to Congressman Ron Dellums | ||
|date=February 3, 1998 | |date=February 3, 1998 | ||
|url-status=dead | |||
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051030120501/http://www.house.gov/pelosi/fldellum.htm | |||
|archive-date=October 30, 2005 | |||
}}</ref> ],<ref name=house2>{{cite news | }}</ref> ],<ref name=house2>{{cite news | ||
|title=Tribute to the Honorable Ronald V. Dellums | |title=Tribute to the Honorable Ronald V. Dellums | ||
|date=February 3, 1998 | |date=February 3, 1998 | ||
|url=http://www.house.gov/harman/issues/statements/105/020398ST_TributeDellum.htm | |url=http://www.house.gov/harman/issues/statements/105/020398ST_TributeDellum.htm | ||
|author=Jane Harman | |author=Jane Harman | ||
|url-status=dead | |||
}}</ref> ], ], ], ] and ] gave speeches on the floor of the House in honor of Dellums. Millender-McDonald described Dellums as a "distinguished, principled <nowiki></nowiki> educated man." Her tribute went on: | |||
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051029140538/http://www.house.gov/harman/issues/statements/105/020398ST_TributeDellum.htm | |||
|archive-date=October 29, 2005 | |||
}}</ref> ], ], ], ], and ] gave speeches on the floor of the House in honor of Dellums. Millender-McDonald described Dellums as a "distinguished, principled <nowiki></nowiki> educated man." Her tribute went on: | |||
<blockquote>Congressman Ron Dellums is revered on both sides of this aisle because of his integrity and his commitment to progressive ideas. He was always on the cutting edge of the issues. California will miss him in the ninth district, but the State has been enriched by Ron Dellums. While he towers above most of us physically, this attribute is matched by his intellect, faith in the process and optimism for peaceful resolution of conflict.<ref name=LOC2> |
<blockquote>Congressman Ron Dellums is revered on both sides of this aisle because of his integrity and his commitment to progressive ideas. He was always on the cutting edge of the issues. California will miss him in the ninth district, but the State has been enriched by Ron Dellums. While he towers above most of us physically, this attribute is matched by his intellect, faith in the process and optimism for peaceful resolution of conflict.<ref name=LOC2>{{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r105:H04FE8-643:|title=Congress.gov - Library of Congress|website=thomas.loc.gov|access-date=30 July 2018|archive-date=September 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909023410/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r105:H04FE8-643:|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
Congressman ] of Illinois described Dellums: | Congressman ] of Illinois described Dellums: | ||
<blockquote>A creative, piercing, probing, incisive, thought-provoking, inspiring, charismatic, careful, considerate and deliberative mind. The mind to stand up when others sit down. The mind to act when others refuse to act. The mind to stand even when you stand alone, battered, bruised and scorned, but still standing. Standing on principle, standing tall and standing for the people.<ref name=LOC3> |
<blockquote>A creative, piercing, probing, incisive, thought-provoking, inspiring, charismatic, careful, considerate and deliberative mind. The mind to stand up when others sit down. The mind to act when others refuse to act. The mind to stand even when you stand alone, battered, bruised and scorned, but still standing. Standing on principle, standing tall and standing for the people.<ref name=LOC3>{{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r105:H11FE8-235:|title=Congress.gov - Library of Congress|website=thomas.loc.gov|access-date=30 July 2018|archive-date=September 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909023410/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r105:H11FE8-235:|url-status=dead}}</ref></blockquote> | ||
House Majority Leader ] described Dellums as "...one of the most giving, open and stalwart, a real stalwart man when he was Chairman" | |||
<blockquote>We are losing one of its finest Members, a Member that I have great respect for, because he always did his homework, was so articulate and eloquent on this floor. | <blockquote>We are losing one of its finest Members, a Member that I have great respect for, because he always did his homework, was so articulate and eloquent on this floor. | ||
He always got my attention when he stood up and took the microphone. He would stop every Member in their tracks to hear what he had to say, and there are very few Members that have served in this body that can claim the respect that both sides of the aisle had for the gentleman from California. | He always got my attention when he stood up and took the microphone. He would stop every Member in their tracks to hear what he had to say, and there are very few Members that have served in this body that can claim the respect that both sides of the aisle had for the gentleman from California. | ||
And the incredible reputation that the gentleman from California has brought to this House; he has elevated this House. He has elevated the distinction of this House by serving here, and this House will greatly miss him when he leaves.<ref name=LOC4> |
And the incredible reputation that the gentleman from California has brought to this House; he has elevated this House. He has elevated the distinction of this House by serving here, and this House will greatly miss him when he leaves.<ref name=LOC4>{{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?r105:1:./temp/~r1051D58xM:e45:|title=Congress.gov - Library of Congress|website=thomas.loc.gov|access-date=30 July 2018|archive-date=September 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909023410/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?r105%3A1%3A.%2Ftemp%2F~r1051D58xM%3Ae45%3A|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
===Voting record=== | |||
] | |||
Dellums' voting records in Congress were "almost without exception straight As" from groups such as the ], the ] and the ].<ref name=EBE/> He received 100% on consumer group ]'s scorecard.<ref name=gsenet>http://www.gsenet.org/library/10gov/lcv104th.php</ref> | |||
Dellums's voting records in Congress were "almost without exception straight As" from groups such as the ], the ] and the ].<ref name=EBE /> He received 100% on consumer group ]'s scorecard.<ref name=gsenet>{{cite web|url=http://www.gsenet.org/library/10gov/lcv104th.php |title=de beste bron van informatie over g senet. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=gsenet.org |access-date=August 26, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315144622/http://www.gsenet.org/library/10gov/lcv104th.php |archive-date=March 15, 2012}}</ref> In contrast, he received an "F" from ], a group dedicated to limiting immigration.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ron Dellums 1998-2013 |url=https://votesmart.org/interest-group/1985/rating/6598#.W2B98rgnaUk |website=Vote Smart |access-date=31 July 2018}}</ref> | |||
===Dismissal of drug use allegations=== | |||
In contrast, he received an 'F' from ], a group dedicated to limiting immigration, and a score of seven out of a possible 100 from the ], a property rights organization.<ref name=numUSA>{{cite news | |||
An eight-month investigation cleared Dellums of allegations that he had used ] and ], finding there was no basis for the allegations. The investigation of Dellums and two other congressmen, ] Democrat ] and California ] ], began in 1983, based on a complaint from a House doorkeeper,<ref name=WaPo1 /> who pleaded guilty to drug charges on Capitol Hill himself in March 1983.<ref>{{cite news | |||
|publisher=Numbers USA | |||
|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fx4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5604,80692&dq=dellums+doorkeeper | |||
|date=August 6, 2006 | |||
|work=] | |||
|title=Immigration Profile of Rep. Ronald Dellums | |||
|title=Panel investigating reports that lawmaker bought drugs | |||
|url=http://profiles.numbersusa.com/improfile.php3?DistSend=CA&VIPID=62 | |||
|author=St. Petersburg Times Staff | |||
}}</ref><ref name=psnw></ref> | |||
|date=March 16, 1983 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
==Presidential nominations== | |||
===Oakland mayoral election=== | |||
In 1976, Dellums was nominated for president by the National Black Political Assembly but refused, stating "It is not my moment; it's not my time."<ref>Henry, Charles P. "Major Problems for Minor Parties." ''The Crisis'' 97.1 (Jan 1990): 25-26, 39.</ref><ref>]. ''African-Americans at the Crossroads: The Restructuring of Black Leadership and the 1992 Elections.'' Boston: South End Press, 1994. 47.</ref> That year, he received 20 delegate votes at the Democratic National Convention for the Vice-Presidency.<ref name="WaltonSpence">Walton, Hanes, Jr. & Lester Spence. "African-American Presidential Convention and Nomination Politics: Alan Keyes in the 1996 Republican Presidential Primaries and Conventions." In ''Race and Ethnicity in Comparative Perspective.'' Edited by Georgia A. Persons. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 1999. 205.</ref> | |||
Dellums was recruited to run for Mayor of Oakland by an informal committee called "Draft Dellums," which collected 8,000 signatures and presented them to the former Congressman at a public meeting at Laney College, chanting "Run, Ron, Run".<ref>Heather MacDonald, "Ex-rep. thrills backers by entering Oakland mayoral race" ''Oakland Tribune'', October 8, 2005</ref> | |||
Four years later, he was again nominated as the presidential candidate, this time for the Independent Freedom Party, but refused the nomination because the IFP had not yet created an effective political structure.<ref>Glasrud, Bruce A. & Cary D. Wintz, eds. ''African Americans and the Presidency: The Road to the White House.'' New York: Routledge, 2010. 27.</ref> In that year's Democratic National Convention, Dellums received three delegate votes for the Presidential nomination.<ref name="WaltonSpence" /> | |||
] | |||
==Lobbyist== | |||
In October 2005, reportedly after weeks of deliberation and speculation, Dellums announced that he would run for mayor of ]. The previous mayor, former California Governor ], was ineligible to run for another term, and ran (successfully) for the position of California ]. The other formidable candidates in the election were City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente, and District 3 City Councilmember ]. Landlord and activist Arnie Fields also ran in the race as did perennial candidate Hector "Reno" Reyna. | |||
Dellums worked as a legislative lobbyist, which drew criticism described in the '']'', a local newspaper.<ref name=EBE /> Shortly after leaving office, Dellums began consulting for an international health-care company, Healthcare Management International, which invests in health insurance programs in developing countries.<ref name="EASJ">{{cite book |last1=Anderson |first1=Gary |title=Encyclopedia of Activism and Social Justice |date=April 13, 2007 |publisher=SAGE |isbn=978-1452265650 |page=442 }}</ref> | |||
Dellums worked in Washington, D.C., as a ] for clients such as the ] ] and ], the public transit district charged with offering ] throughout the ]. Dellums's firm lobbied for ], a company that manufactures aircraft engines. He also worked on behalf of the ] during its attempts to build additional runway capacity, which has been vigorously opposed by environmental groups. His company was engaged in community relations work for the ] which conducts scientific research on behalf of the Department of Energy, and has long had a contentious relationship with its residential neighbors and the Berkeley city council. In addition he lobbied for ], a multinational pharmaceutical corporation.<ref>{{cite news |last1=NcDonald |first1=Heather |title=Dellums takes hit for lobbying |url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2006/03/20/dellums-takes-hit-for-lobbying/ |access-date=31 July 2018 |publisher=East Bay Times}}</ref> | |||
On ], ], after nearly two weeks of ballot-counting and a dispute over whether votes for unqualified write-in candidates such as ] and ] counted towards the total, Dellums was unofficially declared the winner in the Oakland mayoral race. The Alameda County Registrar of Voters said Dellums garnered a 50.18 percent majority — 155 votes more than needed to avoid a runoff with De La Fuente. Dellums received just 41,992 votes, about 10% of the city's population.<ref name=sfgate2>{{cite news | |||
|publisher=] | |||
|title=De La Fuente offers support to Dellums as mayoral winner | |||
|author=Christopher Heredia, Janine DeFao | |||
|date=June 18, 2006 | |||
|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/06/18/BAGOVJG8KS1.DTL | |||
}}</ref> | |||
In 2017, ] testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee that representatives of Vladimir Putin had hired "Howard Schweitzer of ] Public Strategies and former Congressman Ronald Dellums to lobby members of Congress on Capitol Hill to repeal the ] and to remove Sergei's name from the Global Magnitsky bill." The bill is named for the Russian lawyer who was murdered in prison for pursuing the corruption of Putin's allies.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/07/bill-browders-testimony-to-the-senate-judiciary-committee/534864/|title=Bill Browder's Testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee|last=Gray|first=Rosie|date=July 25, 2017|magazine=The Atlantic|access-date=January 7, 2018}}</ref> Dellums also worked with the ] to oppose sanctions on Russia.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/07/russian-anti-sanctions-campaign-turned-to-california-congressman/534102/ |magazine=] |quote=Veselnitskaya, the lawyer in the meeting, has been deeply involved in the anti-Magnitsky Act effort in the U.S. as part of a group called the Human Rights Accountability Global Initiative Foundation that has lobbied in Congress against the legislation ... Akhmetshin, who is currently in Europe, said in an email that there was one instance involving Behrends walking with former Democratic Congressman Ron Dellums, who was also part of the lobbying effort, to the office of the ranking Democrat on Rohrabacher's subcommittee. |title=Russian Anti-Sanctions Campaign Turned to California Congressman |first=Rosie |last=Gray |date=July 18, 2017}}</ref><ref name="bn">{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-21/russia-funded-adoption-group-is-said-to-draw-mueller-scrutiny |work=] |title=Mueller Is Looking Into a U.S. Foundation Backed by Russian Money |first1=Stephanie |last1=Baker |first2=Irina |last2=Reznik |date=December 21, 2017}}</ref> | |||
===Mayor of Oakland=== | |||
Mayor-Elect Dellums' transition to office involved 800 Oaklanders who joined 41 task forces to make recommendations on issues ranging from public safety to education and affordable housing.<ref>{{cite news|first=Heather|last=MacDonald|title=Dellums Makes 4 Additions to His Staff|publication=Oakland Tribune|date=2007-02-27}}</ref> | |||
Dellums lobbied for the ]an government in 2001–2002<ref name=sfgate3>{{cite news | |||
Notwithstanding the significant pay and benefits received by Mr. Dellums as a result of his congressional service, an early priority as mayor was his own compensation<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.topix.net/content/cbs/1291723194053596187918210691752766036217|accessdate=2007-10-01| title=60% Pay Raise For Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums}}</ref> and staff budget<ref>{{cite web| url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/05/07/BAGPGPM9MF1.DTL|accessdate=2007-10-01| title=One of Dellums' first upgrades: his own office budget}}</ref>. | |||
|url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/03/27/BAGEIHUH0K1.DTL | |||
|work=San Francisco Chronicle | |||
|title=In Oakland, Dellums draws fire in mayor's race | |||
|author=Phillip Matier, Andrew Ross | |||
|date=March 27, 2006 | |||
}}</ref> and worked to support ], the first democratically elected, former President of Haiti who was deposed in a 2004 ].<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071115041640/http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04%2F02%2F25%2F1613200 |date=November 15, 2007 }}</ref> | |||
When running for mayor of Oakland, Dellums listed his most recent profession as "retired Congressman" in election filing forms.<ref name=sfgate4>{{cite news | |||
Since his election, there has been criticism of the secret nature of the task forces Dellums established, despite having repeatedly vowed to restore "transparency" to city government, and criticism of disarray among the task forces.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gammon|first=Robert|publication=East Bay Express|title=Oak to Ninth Yin-Yang|date=April 25, 2007|url=http://www.eastbayexpress.com/2007-04-25/news/oak-to-ninth-yin-yang/full|accessdate=2007-04-26}}</ref> | |||
|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/03/10/MNGV9HM73A4.DTL | |||
|work=San Francisco Chronicle | |||
|title=Dellums to leave occupation line blank on ballot | |||
|author=Jim Herron Zamora | |||
|date=March 10, 2006 | |||
}}</ref> When assistant City Clerk Marjo Keller informed the Dellums campaign that this description was unacceptable, the campaign elected to leave the occupation field blank. | |||
A former East Bay Express columnist once wrote a column titled "Dellums for Dollars" criticizing Dellums's lobbying.<ref name=EBE /> Speaking in defense of Dellums, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson said that, if asked, Dellums would likely say "just because I'm advocating for a company that may be paying me consulting fees, I'm not selling out my beliefs."<ref name=EBE /> | |||
Within a few months of Dellums' election, Oakland voters were already rating him poorly on key issues. On a scale of 1-10, Dellums scored a 3.7 on improving education, a 3.8 on crime, 4.3 on economic development and a 4.3 on providing housing.<ref>{{cite news|publication=San Francisco Chronicle | |||
|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/01/BAIHSGFGI.DTL | |||
|accessdate=2007-11-20 | |||
|title=Oaklanders cool quickly on Dellums, poll finds}}</ref> | |||
==Mayor of Oakland== | |||
According to local media, Dellums "frittered" away his first year in office, making no significant policy initiatives in those areas of concern to average citizens, beyond a smoking ban at bus stops<ref>{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Chip|publication=San Francisco Chronicle|title=Dellums, Oakland City Council fritter away the year|accessdate=2007-11-18|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/11/02/BA5LT52C6.DTL}}</ref>. Meanwhile, crime in the city increased dramatically, with Oakland being declared the 4th most dangerous city in the nation. Dellums resisted calls to increase the police force, claiming citizens did not want an oppressive police force, but local reporters expressed skepticism. Multiple "recall Dellums" websites have appeared.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gammon|first=Robert|publication=East Bay Express|title=A Misdirected Missive|accessdate=2007-12-23|url=http://www.eastbayexpress.com/news/a_misdirected_missive/Content?oid=518223}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
===2006 Oakland mayoral election=== | |||
When faced with an irate crowd at a town hall meeting, Dellums declared "I'm giving it everything that I have. If that's not enough, that's cool. Recall me. and let me get on with my private life."<ref></ref> | |||
{{main|2006 Oakland mayoral election}} | |||
After Oakland Council President ] and District 3 City Council member ] declared their mayoral candidacies, Dellums was recruited to run for mayor of Oakland. An informal committee, "Draft Dellums", collected 8,000 signatures and presented them to the former Congressman at a public meeting at Laney College. Crowds of Oaklanders chanted "Run, Ron, Run".<ref>Heather MacDonald, "Ex-rep. thrills backers by entering Oakland mayoral race" ''Oakland Tribune'', October 8, 2005.</ref> | |||
In October 2005, reportedly after weeks of deliberation and speculation, Dellums announced that he would run for mayor of ]. The incumbent mayor, former ] ], was prohibited by ] from running again.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Allen-Taylor |first1=Douglas |title=Page One Oakland in 2005: Campaigns for Mayor Begin as Brown Plans Exit |url=http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2006-01-03/article/23123 |access-date=31 July 2018 |newspaper=Berkeley Daily Planet |date=3 January 2006}}</ref> | |||
Recently has was accused of spending too much of Oakland's money on expenses. He turned in receipts for $50,000 that included first class air fare and stay the Ritz. <ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/sso_detail?blogid=14&entry_id=27338: Expenses</ref> | |||
On June 16, 2006, after a careful ballot count, and a dispute over whether votes for unqualified write-in candidates such as ] and ] counted towards the total, Dellums was unofficially declared the winner in the Oakland mayoral race. Dellums garnered a 50.18 percent majority to win the election. This was 155 votes more than needed to avoid a runoff. Dellums received 41,992 votes, while his nearest challengers received 27,607 votes, and 10,928 votes respectively.<ref name=sfgate2>{{cite news | |||
===Party affiliations=== | |||
|work=San Francisco Chronicle | |||
Dellums describes himself as a ]. In the 1970s, Dellums was a member of the ] (DSOC), an offshoot of the ]. He later became vice-chair of the ] (DSA),<ref name=nndb></ref> which was formed by a merger between the DSOC and the ], and which works within and outside the ]. As of 2006 Dellums is no longer a vice-chair of the DSA. | |||
|title=De La Fuente offers support to Dellums as mayoral winner | |||
|author=Christopher Heredia, Janine DeFao | |||
|date=June 18, 2006 | |||
|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/06/18/BAGOVJG8KS1.DTL | |||
}}</ref> | |||
===Transition and citizen task forces=== | |||
While running for mayor of Oakland, Dellums was ] as a member of the ], and has run as a Democrat in all his congressional races.<ref name=SSCA>California election results online http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_elections.htm</ref><ref name=congbio/> | |||
Mayor-Elect Dellums's transition to office involved 800 Oaklanders who joined 41 task forces to make recommendations on issues ranging from public safety to education and affordable housing.<ref>{{cite news|first=Heather|last=MacDonald|title=Dellums Makes 4 Additions to His Staff|work=Oakland Tribune|date=February 27, 2007}}</ref> | |||
Many of these recommendations helped to shape the policy agenda of the Dellums administration. The task forces recommended a land use policy which would emphasize zoning for job-creating business. This policy was adopted in 2007, and the city is being zoned. The task forces recommended a stronger policy on the hiring of local residents, and the City Council appointed a group to pursue this change. The task forces recommended a focus on the green economy, and the Mayor, along with a variety of community organizations created the Green Jobs Corps, an office of sustainability and the ]. Mayor Dellums reported that approximately two-thirds of the recommendations had been implemented as of the end of 2009.<ref>{{cite web |author=Jean Quan |url=http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/Mayor/index.htm |title=Mayor ~ City of Oakland, California |publisher=.oaklandnet.com |access-date=August 26, 2012 |archive-date=December 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225002718/http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/Mayor/index.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Task Forces and the Inauguration itself, which included hundreds of the city's least affluent residents, were considered examples of ].<ref>Mayfield, Kimberly (January 4, 2007), "Grassroots Democracy Sprouts in Oakland", ''San Francisco Chronicle''.</ref> | |||
===Public safety initiatives=== | |||
On ] ] Dellums endorsed ] in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary. He was named national chair of Clinton's Urban Policy Committee.<ref></ref> | |||
Crime rates were high when Dellums took office in January 2007 and at his first State of the City Address in January 2008, Dellums called for hiring more police officers. Dellums promised that by year's end, the police department would be fully staffed at 803 officers.<ref>{{cite news | |||
|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/14/BA0SUF8P1.DTL | |||
|author=Chris Heredia | |||
|work = San Francisco Chronicle | |||
|title=Dellums calls for hiring more cops in Oakland | |||
|date=January 15, 2008 | |||
|access-date=December 13, 2008 | |||
}}</ref> On November 14, 2008, 38 Oakland police officers were added to the force after graduating the 165th academy, bringing the department's force to 837 officers, the most in OPD history.<ref>{{cite news | |||
|url=http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_11045870?source=most_emailed | |||
|author=Kelly Rayburn | |||
|work=Oakland Tribune | |||
|title=No money to train police recruits, Dellums says | |||
|date= November 21, 2008 | |||
|access-date=December 13, 2008}}</ref> | |||
In addition, to follow through on his calls for hiring more officers, Dellums offered Measure NN on the November 2008 ballot, a voter initiative parcel tax to hire 70 additional police officers at a hiring and training cost of $250,000 each. Though 55 percent of Oakland voters supported Measure NN, this failed to meet California's "two thirds" constitutional requirement for the enactment of a new tax.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Heredia |first1=Christopher |title=Oakland police tax fails |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Oakland-police-tax-fails-3186942.php |access-date=31 July 2018 |publisher=SFGate |date=6 November 2008}}</ref> | |||
==Drug use allegations== | |||
In 1983, Dellums and his aide John Apperson were investigated for ] and ] use by the House of Representatives, based on allegations from a House doorkeeper. After eight months, the investigation closed, having found no basis for the charges.<ref name=Hethics>{{cite news | |||
|title=Historical Summary of Conduct Cases in the House of Representatives | |||
|publisher=U.S. House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct | |||
|date=November 9, 2004 | |||
|url=http://www.house.gov/ethics/Historical_Chart_Final_Version.htm | |||
}}</ref><ref name=WaPo1/><ref name=NR2>{{cite news | |||
|title=Cajun butterknife — Rep. Bob Livingston — Interview | |||
|publisher=National Review | |||
|date=December 31, 1997 | |||
|author=Bernadette Malone | |||
|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1282/is_n25_v49/ai_20208922}}</ref> | |||
Dellums's administration negotiated the passage of a new police contract which was especially noteworthy, as it broke the Oakland Police Officers Association's opposition to the civilianization of certain OPD positions which were previously staffed by "sworn," uniformed police officers, with concomitant payrolls and police academy training costs. OPD then hired "non-sworn" personnel to work some of its desk jobs and administrative jobs, freeing up academy uniformed officers for street patrol and investigative work.<ref name="daily planet 2">{{cite news | |||
==Support of Black Muslim Bakery== | |||
|title=Undercurrents: More Thoughts on Staffing of Oakland Police Department | |||
Ron Dellums was a well known supporter of ], an organization accused of numerous violent acts over the years, including the August 2007 public assassination in downtown Oakland of journalist ]. Dellums, even after Mr. Bailey was shot with a 12-gauge shotgun by a "handyman" at the bakery<ref></ref> and the subsequent shutdown of the bakery following revelations of widespread protection rackets, murder, and torture by bakery members, refused to disavow a letter he sent in support of the Bakery.<ref></ref> | |||
|work=Berkeley Daily Planet | |||
|date=May 29, 2008 | |||
|author=J. Douglas Allen-Taylor | |||
|url=http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2008-05-29/article/30130?headline=Undercurrents-More-Thoughts-on-Staffing-of-Oakland-Police-Department | |||
}}</ref> | |||
On March 21, 2009, during the ] incident, the Oakland Police Department lost three sergeants and one officer. One of the officers left instructions in his emergency packet that if he were killed in the line of duty that Dellums not be permitted to speak at his funeral. Two of the officers' families requested the same, and when Dellums attended the March 28 public memorial service at the ] he honored the requests.<ref name=nongrata>{{citation | |||
==Family life== | |||
|title=Mayor Dellums persona non grata by Oakland police | |||
Dellums has been married three times. He married his second wife, attorney Leola "Roscoe" Higgs, in 1961. The two divorced in 1998.<ref name=nndb/> He married his third wife, Cynthia Lewis, in 2000. | |||
|work=San Francisco Chronicle | |||
|last=Phillip Matier, Andrew Ross | |||
|date=March 29, 2009 | |||
|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/28/BAK616O8CQ.DTL#ixzz0X9VvkuGR | |||
}}</ref><ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404071202/http://cbs5.com/crime/oakland.officers.funeral.2.969495.html |date=April 4, 2009 }} AP, March 28, 2009.</ref> | |||
In his State of the City address in 2008 Dellums promised to reduce the crime rate by 10% during 2009; the crime rate actually went down by 13%.<ref>V. Smoothe, , Oakland Crime Stats, November 2009.</ref> | |||
Dellums has three grandchildren and four children: Sydney Ross, Dylan Ross, Olivia Dellums, professional actor ], ], Brandy and Pam. | |||
In 2009 Dellums hired the highly regarded ], formerly the ] chief. Batts had a record of reducing both crime and police shootings in that Southern California city.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Matier |first1=Ross |title=Dysfunctional politics on display in Oakland |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Dysfunctional-politics-on-display-in-Oakland-3183861.php |access-date=31 July 2018 |publisher=SFGate |date=23 June 2010}}</ref> | |||
==Grenada and Cuba controversies, treason allegation== | |||
In 1982 Dellums took a trip to ] at the invitation of the ] of the ], ]. Grenada was building an airstrip that U.S. administration officials claimed could be used for Soviet military aircraft. Dellums traveled to Grenada on his own fact-finding mission and described his findings before Congress: | |||
===Education initiatives=== | |||
<blockquote>...based on my personal observations, discussion and analysis of the new international airport under construction in Grenada, it is my conclusion that this project is specifically now and has always been for the purpose of economic development and is not for military use.... It is my thought that it is absurd, patronizing and totally unwarranted for the United States Government to charge that this airport poses a military threat to the United States’ national security.<ref name=commentary>{{cite news | |||
Noting that reducing teacher turn-over and improving the engagement of teachers with the families of their students would require increasing the number of teachers who came from the local community, Dellums initiated a program to create more teachers who were diverse local residents. He held teacher recruitment summits in City Hall, helped the ] program to obtain $2.7 million in federal funding, and spoke to the ] about the national potential of such programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://schoolweb.ousd.k12.ca.us/NewTeacherResource/Teach%20Tomorrow.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713062421/http://schoolweb.ousd.k12.ca.us/NewTeacherResource/Teach%20Tomorrow.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |title=New Teacher Resources |publisher=Schoolweb.ousd.k12.ca.us |access-date=August 26, 2012 }}</ref> The Community Task Forces remained active in these efforts. | |||
|publisher=] | |||
|author=Peter Collier, ] | |||
|date=January 1897 | |||
|title=Another "Low Dishonest Decade" on the Left}}</ref></blockquote> | |||
In 2009 Dellums launched an anti-drop-out initiative which included sponsoring back to school rallies at City Hall and participating with the school district in truancy reduction efforts. He accepted an invitation from the national organization, America's Promise, to join their efforts at drop-out prevention. As part of this effort, he started Oakland's Promise, recruited several dozen community-based organizations to participate, held a Summit with 350 participants, and adopted an Action Plan to cut Oakland's drop-out rate in half.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.americaspromise.org/Our-Work/Community-Action/~/media/Files/Our%20Work/Dropout%20Prevention/Grad%20Nation%20Action%20Forum/Oakland%20Overview%20Brief.ashx |title=Archived copy |access-date=January 1, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620203407/http://americaspromise.org/Our-Work/Community-Action/~/media/Files/Our%20Work/Dropout%20Prevention/Grad%20Nation%20Action%20Forum/Oakland%20Overview%20Brief.ashx |archive-date=June 20, 2010 }}</ref> | |||
A U.S. invasion of the island later obtained the diary of the former Grenadian defense minister. One entry in it read: "The Revo has been able to crush counter-revolution internationally. Airport will be used for Cuban and Soviet military."<ref name=NR1/> Soon after the invasion, members of Dellums's staff traveled to Cuba and allegedly broadcast anti-American statements over ].<ref name=church>{{cite web |title=A Betrayal of the Church |url=http://cmpage.org/betrayal/appendix.html |accessdate=2007-11-23}}</ref> | |||
===Promoting Oakland=== | |||
The invasion also recovered a letter from Dellums' chief of staff Carlottia Scott to Maurice Bishop, describing Dellums' feelings towards Bishop and, presumably, ]n ] of the ] Fidel Castro. | |||
As mayor, Dellums proposed the idea of Oakland as a "Model City". He argued that Oakland is "big enough to be significant and small enough to get your arms around", and that the federal government needs a city like Oakland on which to try out new urban policy inventions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rayburn |first1=Kelly |title=Mayor Dellums outlines agenda for Oakland |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2008/01/14/mayor-dellums-outlines-agenda-for-oakland/ |access-date=31 July 2018 |newspaper=Mercury News |date=14 January 2008}}</ref> | |||
From 2008, Dellums campaigned to bring millions in ] federal stimulus funding to Oakland, using both his extensive Washington D.C. contacts and the idea of the Model City. By the end of 2009, his efforts had yielded US$65 million in stimulus funding for Oakland, including the largest police grant of any city in the country, and the second largest amount in competitive funding after ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Callahan |first=Lauren |url=http://oaklandnorth.net/2009/12/10/mayor-and-staff-bask-in-the-glow-of-the-stimulus/ |title=Mayor and staff bask in the glow of the stimulus – Oakland North : North Oakland News, Food, Art and Events |publisher=Oaklandnorth.net |date=December 10, 2009 |access-date=August 26, 2012}}</ref> | |||
<blockquote>Ron <nowiki></nowiki> has become truly committed to Grenada, and has some positive political thinking to share with you.... He’s really hooked on you and Grenada and doesn’t want anything to happen to building the Revolution and making it strong. He really admires you as a person and even more so as a leader with courage and foresight, principles and integrity.... The only other person that I know of that he expresses such admiration for is Fidel.<ref name=commentary/></blockquote> | |||
===Criticism and recall efforts=== | |||
Another document was recovered showing that Dellums had sent a draft copy of his report on Grenada to Bishop for editing before presenting his report to Congress, stating | |||
After his election as mayor of Oakland, Dellums came under criticism for a wide range of issues, including a lack of transparency in government,<ref>{{cite news|last=Gammon |first=Robert |work=East Bay Express |title=Oak to Ninth Yin-Yang |date=April 25, 2007 |url=http://www.eastbayexpress.com/2007-04-25/news/oak-to-ninth-yin-yang/full |access-date=April 26, 2007 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2009-04-16/full_text|title=Activists Call on Police Union to Apologize for Disrespecting Dellums|date=April 16, 2009|work=The Berkeley Daily Planet|access-date=March 18, 2023}}</ref> ineffectual governance,<ref>{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Chip|work=San Francisco Chronicle|title=Dellums, Oakland City Council fritter away the year|access-date=November 18, 2007|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/11/02/BA5LT52C6.DTL | date=November 2, 2007}}</ref> and alleged extended absence from his duties at City Hall.<ref>{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Chip|work=SFGate|title=Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums silent on budget hole|access-date=June 18, 2010|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/06/18/BAAV1E0U8I.DTL|date=June 18, 2010}}</ref> He was criticized for refusing to disavow a staff-generated letter sent in his name in July 2007 to a Federal ] in support of ], whose owners were suspects in the 2007 murder of reporter ].<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080127015628/http://www.eastbayexpress.com/news/dellums__scarlet_letter/Content?oid=479654 |date=January 27, 2008 }}</ref> In 2009, Dellums and his wife were cited with failure to pay over $239,000 in federal income taxes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/2009-11-04/news/17179816_1_irs-lien-mayor-s-tax-alameda-county |first=Henry K. |last=Lee |date=November 4, 2009 |work=The San Francisco Chronicle |title=Update: Maldonado family pays tax lien |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103104300/http://articles.sfgate.com/2009-11-04/news/17179816_1_irs-lien-mayor-s-tax-alameda-county |archive-date=January 3, 2010 }}</ref> | |||
In 2007, Oakland reporter Elise Ackerman launched an unsuccessful campaign to recall Dellums and released an open letter addressed to Dellums.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gammon |first=Robert |work=East Bay Express |title=A Misdirected Missive |access-date=December 23, 2007 |url=http://www.eastbayexpress.com/news/a_misdirected_missive/Content?oid=518223 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071115125732/http://www.eastbayexpress.com/news/a_misdirected_missive/Content?oid=518223 |archive-date=November 15, 2007 }}</ref> When addressing a town hall-style meeting in 2007, Dellums declared: "I'm giving it everything that I have. If that's not enough, that's cool. Recall me and let me get on with my private life."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wildermuth |first1=John |title=Dellums is behaving exactly as he said he would when campaigning |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Dellums-is-behaving-exactly-as-he-said-he-would-3298727.php |access-date=31 July 2018 |publisher=SFGate |date=6 January 2008}}</ref> | |||
<blockquote>] is here presently and has brought with her a report on the international airport that was done by Ron Dellums. They have requested that we look at the document and suggest any changes we deem necessary. They will be willing to make the changes.</blockquote> | |||
Dellums later announced he would not seek a second term as mayor of Oakland in the 2010 election.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/04/BACK1EOV67.DTL&tsp=1 | title=Oakland Mayor Dellums won't run for re-election | first=Matthai | last=Kuruvila | date=August 5, 2010 | work=The San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref> He was succeeded by ]. | |||
==Criticisms of lobbying activities== | |||
Dellums has worked as a lobbyist, which has drawn criticism described in the ], a local newspaper.<ref name=EBE/> Shortly after leaving office, Dellums began consulting for an international health-care company, ] aimed at starting ]s in ] countries. The move was seen as controversial by some as the company stood to profit from Dellums' continuing advocacy of aid for Africa. | |||
==Death== | |||
Dellums also continued to work in Washington, D.C., as a ] for clients such as the ] ] and ], the organization that runs bus service in much of Dellums' old district. Others of his clients are more controversial: | |||
Dellums died of complications from ] on July 30, 2018, at age 82.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://abc7news.com/politics/former-oakland-mayor-ron-dellums-dies/3848533/ |title=Former Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums Dies |work=ABC7 San Francisco |date=July 30, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/30/obituaries/ron-dellums-forceful-liberal-in-congress-for-27-years-dies-at-82.html |title=Ron Dellums, Forceful Liberal in Congress for 27 Years, Dies at 82 |first=Robert D. |last=McFadden |date=July 30, 2018 |work=] |access-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180730220156/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/30/obituaries/ron-dellums-forceful-liberal-in-congress-for-27-years-dies-at-82.html |archive-date=July 30, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> He was interred with ] in section 82, at ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CgdkZWxsdW1z/|website=ANC Explorer|accessdate=February 16, 2022|title=Dellums, Ronald V}}</ref> | |||
*Dellums' firm lobbied for ], a company that manufactures military aircraft engines. | |||
*Dellums' company lobbies for the ] in its attempts to build an additional runway, which has been vigorously opposed by environmental groups. | |||
*His company has been engaged in community relations work for the ]: the lab generates and stores radioactive waste and has long had a contentious relationship with its residential neighbors and the city government. | |||
*Dellums also works for ], a multinational pharmaceutical corporation. | |||
*Dellums accepted $500,000 in payment for lobbying work for the government of the impoverished nation of ] in 2001–2002. Dellums worked to support ], then President of Haiti<ref name=sfgate3>{{cite news | |||
|url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/03/27/BAGEIHUH0K1.DTL | |||
|publisher=] | |||
|title=In Oakland, Dellums draws fire in mayor's race | |||
|author=Phillip Matier, Andrew Ross | |||
|date=March 27, 2006 | |||
}} | |||
</ref> | |||
==Partisan affiliations== | |||
When running for mayor of Oakland, Dellums listed his most recent profession as "retired Congressman" in election filing forms.<ref name=sfgate4>{{cite news | |||
] annual meeting.]] | |||
|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/03/10/MNGV9HM73A4.DTL | |||
Although he ran as a ] and ]ed as a Democrat in Congress, Dellums described himself as a ]. He was the first self-described socialist in Congress since ]. In the 1970s, Dellums was a member of the ] (DSOC), an offshoot of the ]. He later became vice-chair of the ] (DSA),<ref name=nndb>{{cite web|url=http://www.nndb.com/org/694/000054532/|title=Democratic Socialists of America|website=www.nndb.com|access-date=July 30, 2018}}</ref> which was formed by a merger between the DSOC and the ], and which works within and outside the ]. | |||
|publisher=] | |||
|title=Dellums to leave occupation line blank on ballot | |||
|author=Jim Herron Zamora | |||
|date=March 10, 2006 | |||
}}</ref> When assistant City Clerk Marjo Keller informed the Dellums campaign that this description was unacceptable, the campaign elected to leave the occupation field blank. | |||
While running for mayor of Oakland, Dellums was officially ] as a member of the ].<ref name=congbio /><ref name=SSCA>California election results online {{cite web |url=http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_elections.htm |title=California Secretary of State - Elections & Voter Information - Election Results and Dates |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031205041602/http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_elections.htm |archive-date=December 5, 2003 }}</ref> | |||
Progressive journalist Doug Ireland wrote a column titled "Dellums for Dollars" criticizing Dellums' lobbying, and said of Dellums, "Ron has gone bad, I'm afraid. He talks the talk, but he doesn't walk the walk anymore."<ref name=EBE/> | |||
On October 1, 2007, Dellums endorsed ] in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary at a press conference held at ] in Oakland. He was named national chair of Clinton's Urban Policy Committee.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071003201827/http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=3512 |date=October 3, 2007 }}</ref><ref name=laneytower>{{cite news | |||
Speaking in defense of Dellums, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson said that, if asked, Dellums would likely say "just because I'm advocating for a company that may be paying me consulting fees, I'm not selling out my beliefs."<ref name=EBE/> | |||
|url = http://media.www.laneytower.com/media/storage/paper1008/news/2007/10/04/News/Hillary.Visits.Laney-3013229.shtml | |||
|publisher = Laney Tower | |||
|title = Hillary Visits Laney | |||
|author = Reginald James | |||
|date = October 4, 2007 | |||
|access-date = March 14, 2009 | |||
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090917060409/http://media.www.laneytower.com/media/storage/paper1008/news/2007/10/04/News/Hillary.Visits.Laney-3013229.shtml | |||
|archive-date = September 17, 2009 | |||
|url-status = dead | |||
|df = mdy-all | |||
}}</ref> | |||
Dellums was a member of the ReFormers Caucus of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.issueone.org/reformers/|title=Issue One – ReFormers Caucus|website=www.issueone.org|access-date=July 30, 2018}}</ref> | |||
==External links== | |||
* ''San Francisco Chronicle'', ], ] | |||
* | |||
* | |||
* | |||
* | |||
== |
==Autobiography== | ||
In 2000, Dellums published an autobiography, cowritten with H. Lee Halterman, entitled ''Lying Down with the Lions: A Public Life from the Streets of Oakland to the Halls of Power.''<ref>''Lying Down with the Lions'', Ronald V. Dellums and H. Lee Halterman. Boston: Beacon Press, 2000. {{ISBN|0-8070-4318-4}}</ref> | |||
*] | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
{{Portal|Biography}} | |||
{{portal|United States Marine Corps|USMC_logo.svg}} | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*'']'' | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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Latest revision as of 20:34, 20 December 2024
American politician (1935–2018)
Ron Dellums | |
---|---|
Official portrait, c. 2007 | |
48th Mayor of Oakland | |
In office January 8, 2007 – January 3, 2011 | |
Preceded by | Jerry Brown |
Succeeded by | Jean Quan |
Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee | |
In office January 3, 1995 – February 6, 1998 | |
Preceded by | Floyd Spence |
Succeeded by | Ike Skelton |
Chair of the House Armed Services Committee | |
In office January 20, 1993 – January 3, 1995 | |
Preceded by | Les Aspin |
Succeeded by | Floyd Spence |
Chair of the House District of Columbia Committee | |
In office January 3, 1979 – January 20, 1993 | |
Preceded by | Charles Diggs |
Succeeded by | Pete Stark |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California | |
In office January 3, 1971 – February 6, 1998 | |
Preceded by | Jeffery Cohelan |
Succeeded by | Barbara Lee |
Constituency | 7th district (1971–1975) 8th district (1975–1993) 9th district (1993–1998) |
Personal details | |
Born | Ronald Vernie Dellums (1935-11-24)November 24, 1935 Oakland, California, U.S. |
Died | July 30, 2018(2018-07-30) (aged 82) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
Political party | Democratic |
Other political affiliations | Democratic Socialists of America |
Spouses |
|
Children | 6, including Erik and Piper |
Relatives | C. L. Dellums (uncle) |
Education | Merritt College San Francisco State University (BA) University of California, Berkeley (MSW) |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1954–1956 |
Rank | Private first class |
Ron Dellums's voice
Dellums, as chair of the House Armed Services Committee, outlines the conference report for the FY1995 National Defense Authorization Act Recorded August 17, 1994 | |
Ronald Vernie Dellums (November 24, 1935 – July 30, 2018) was an American politician who served as Mayor of Oakland from 2007 to 2011. He had previously served thirteen terms as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 9th congressional district, in office from 1971 to 1998, after which he worked as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C.
Dellums was born into a family of labor organizers, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps before serving on the Berkeley, California, City Council. He was the first African American elected to Congress from Northern California and the first successful openly socialist non-incumbent Congressional candidate after World War II. His politics earned him a place on President Nixon's enemies list.
During his career in Congress, he fought the MX Missile project and opposed expansion of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber program. When President Ronald Reagan vetoed Dellums's Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986, a Democratic-controlled House and a Republican-controlled Senate overrode Reagan's veto, the first override of a presidential foreign-policy veto in the 20th century.
Early years and family life
Dellums was born in Oakland, California, to Verney and Willa (Terry) Dellums. His father was a longshoreman. His uncle, C. L. Dellums, was one of the organizers and leaders of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. He had a younger sister, Theresa. His mother Willa died on August 17, 2008, at the age of 89.
Dellums attended St. Patrick Catholic School, Oakland Technical High School and McClymonds High School. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 to 1956. Dellums later received his A.A. degree from the Oakland City College, now Merritt College, in 1958, his B.A. from San Francisco State University in 1960, and his M.S.W. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1962. He became a psychiatric social worker and political activist in the African-American community beginning in the 1960s. He also taught at San Francisco State University and the University of California, Berkeley.
Dellums was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He was also a member of the fraternity's World Policy Council, a think tank whose purpose is to expand the fraternity's involvement in politics, and social and current policy to encompass international concerns.
Dellums was married three times. He married his second wife, attorney Leola "Roscoe" Higgs, in 1961. The two divorced in 1998. He married his third wife, Cynthia Lewis, in 2000.
One son, Michael, was convicted of a drug-related homicide in 1979, and remains in prison, being repeatedly denied parole due to bad behavior. Dellums had five other children: anthropologist Rachel R. Chapman, professional actor Erik, author Piper, Brandon and Pam; six grandchildren: Danielle Henderson, Jacob Holmes, Sydney Ross, Dylan Ross, Olivia Dellums, and actress Solea Pfeiffer; and two great-grandchildren: Jared Henderson and Charli Henderson.
Berkeley City Council
Dellums was elected to the Berkeley City Council, after prompting from Maudelle Shirek, and served from 1967 to 1970.
U.S. Congress
Dellums was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1970 after being recruited by anti-Vietnam War activists to run against the incumbent, Jeffery Cohelan, a white liberal close to organized labor who had not opposed the war early enough to win reelection in the district. Dellums defeated Cohelan in the Democratic primary and won the general election, serving without interruption for 27 years.
In 1972, Dellums was reelected to Congress, 60 to 38 percent over his Republican opponent, Peter D. Hannaford, an advisor to then Governor Ronald Reagan.
His politics earned him a place on the so-called Nixon's Enemies List, where his notation stated Dellums "had extensive EMK-Tunney support in his election bid."
Foreign policy
During his tenure in Congress, Dellums opposed every major American military intervention, except for emergency relief in Somalia in 1992. Dellums also supported the restriction of foreign aid to repressive African governments in Zaire (present-day DRC), Burundi, Liberia and Sudan.
Anti-apartheid campaign
In 1972, Dellums began his campaign to end the apartheid policies of South Africa. Fourteen years later, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Dellums's anti-apartheid legislation, calling for a trade restriction against South Africa and immediate divestment by American corporations. The bill, the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986, had broad bipartisan support. It called for sanctions against South Africa and stated preconditions for lifting the sanctions, including the release of all political prisoners. President Reagan called for a policy of "constructive engagement" and vetoed the bill; however, his veto was overridden. It was the first override in the 20th century of a presidential foreign policy veto.
Dellums's fight against apartheid in South Africa was the subject of a Disney Channel made-for-TV film, The Color of Friendship, released in 2000. The role of Congressman Dellums was played in the film by actor Carl Lumbly.
Cold War conflicts in southern Africa
As part of the Cold War struggle for influence in southern Africa, the United States joined with the apartheid government of South Africa in support of UNITA, led by Jonas Savimbi, against the ultimately victorious Angolan forces of the MPLA supported by the Soviet Union and Cuba. Dellums was criticized for his support of Fidel Castro's involvement with the MPLA in Angola and was called "the prototype of the Castroite congressman" by the conservative press. He also introduced legislation (which was unsuccessful) in September 1987 to prohibit economic and military assistance to Zaire, citing poor human rights, corruption, and collaboration with South Africa.
Dellums v. Bush (1990)
In 1990, Dellums and 44 of his congressional colleagues sued then-president President George H. W. Bush in D.C. Federal District Court in 1990, in the case Dellums v. Bush, 752 F. Supp. 1141 (1990) attempting to halt a preemptive military buildup in the Middle East in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The plaintiff members of Congress asserted that military action without a declaration of war would be unlawful under U.S. Const. art. I, § 8, cl. 11 of the United States Constitution. Dellums v. Bush is notable in that it is one of only a few cases in which the Federal Courts have considered whether the War Powers Clause of the U.S. Constitution is justiciable in the courts. The Court in Dellums v. Bush indicated that, in that instance, it was, but because Congress had not yet acted as a majority, the lawsuit was premature.
Military budgets and arms control
Throughout his career Dellums led campaigns against an array of military projects, arguing that the funds would be better spent on peaceful purposes, especially in American cities. Programs he opposed included the Pershing II and MX missiles, and the B-2 bomber (popularly known as the "stealth bomber"). Because of his commitment to the closing of unneeded military bases, Dellums did not oppose the closing of the former Naval Air Station Alameda in his own district.
The B-2 Stealth Bomber is a long-range strategic bomber, that features stealth technology that makes it far less visible to radar. The B-2 was a major technological advance; however, it was designed during the Cold War for military scenarios that some argued were less relevant following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Its total program cost was estimated in 1997 at over US$2.2 billion per airplane.
Although Dellums opposed the B-2 project from the start, Congress approved initial funding for production of 135 bombers in 1987. However, with the winding down of the Cold War, total B-2 production was reduced to 21 aircraft in the early 1990s. But in 1997, seven former Secretaries of Defense signed a letter urging Congress to buy more B-2s, citing the difficulty of assembling a similar engineering team in the future should the B-2 project be terminated. Dellums, citing five independent studies consistent with his position, offered an amendment to that year's defense authorization bill to cap production of the bombers with the existing 21 aircraft. The amendment was narrowly defeated; nonetheless, Congress never approved funding for additional B-2 bombers.
Vietnam war crimes hearings
In January 1971, just weeks into his first term, Dellums set up an exhibit of Vietnam war crimes in an annex to his Congressional office, coordinated with the Citizens Commission of Inquiry (CCI). The exhibit featured four large posters depicting atrocities committed by American soldiers, embellished with red paint.
The My Lai massacre was followed shortly thereafter by a series of hearings on war crimes in Vietnam, which began April 25, 1971. Dellums had called for formal investigations into the allegations, but Congress chose not to endorse the proceedings. As such, the hearings were ad hoc and only informational in nature. As a condition of room use, press and camera presence were not permitted; however, the proceedings were transcribed. A small number of other anti-Vietnam War congressional representatives also took part in the hearings.
Integration of gays and lesbians in the military
In 1993, Dellums was chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Though he argued in favor of integration, Dellums was the sole sponsor of H.R. 2401, introduced on June 14, 1993, adding language to the Defense Authorization Act of 1994 to ensure continued support for unit cohesion in the military. Although the bill contained that language, Dellums pointed out that he personally found the language unacceptable, stating in the Congressional Record on August 4, 1993: "The bill also contains at least one policy that, while unacceptable to this Member in substantive terms, is not as retrograde as it might have been: It supports the President and the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the issue of allowing gay and lesbian service members to serve their country." Remaining in the bill was Title V Section G "xpresses as congressional policy the prohibition against homosexual conduct or activity in the armed forces. Requires separation from the armed forces for such conduct or activity. Directs the Secretary to ensure that the standards for military appointments and enlistments reflect such policy." Dellums's "yes" vote on the bill with the unit cohesion support language was the first time in his 22-year congressional tenure that he voted in favor of any defense spending bill, previously opposing them on economic principles. However, Dellums gave several economic reasons in the Congressional Record for his "yes" vote, on H.R. 2401, including that "It cuts ballistic missile defense to $3 billion—less than one-half the level planned by the Bush administration ..." and: "it devotes a record $11.2 billion to environmental cleanup and improvement, and does so in a way that will stimulate the development of new technologies and new markets for American firms".
U.S. House Committee positions
Dellums served as chairman of the House Committee on the District of Columbia and the House Armed Services Committee.
Dellums also served on the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Post Office and Civil Service Committee, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Select Committee to Investigate the Intelligence Community.
Dellums co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971 and co-founded the Congressional Progressive Caucus in 1991.
Dellums's last Congressional election
Dellums was reelected 11 times from this Oakland-based district, which changed numbers twice during his tenure–from the 7th (1971–75) to the 8th (1975–93) to the 9th (1993–98). He only dropped below 57 percent of the vote twice, in 1980 and 1982. In his last House election race, in 1996, Dellums bested his opponent, Republican Deborah Wright, by a 77%–18% margin.
In 1997, Dellums announced that he was retiring from Congress in the middle of his term, and his resignation forced a special election for the balance of his term–– which created a series of five special elections in 12 months as various East Bay politicians ran for different political offices.
Dellums's successor, Barbara Lee, won the 2000 election by an even larger, 85%–9% margin.
Congressional tribute
Upon his resignation, several members of Congress, including Nancy Pelosi, Jane Harman, William Coyne, Nick Rahall, Ike Skelton, Juanita Millender-McDonald, and Tom DeLay gave speeches on the floor of the House in honor of Dellums. Millender-McDonald described Dellums as a "distinguished, principled educated man." Her tribute went on:
Congressman Ron Dellums is revered on both sides of this aisle because of his integrity and his commitment to progressive ideas. He was always on the cutting edge of the issues. California will miss him in the ninth district, but the State has been enriched by Ron Dellums. While he towers above most of us physically, this attribute is matched by his intellect, faith in the process and optimism for peaceful resolution of conflict.
Congressman Danny Davis of Illinois described Dellums:
A creative, piercing, probing, incisive, thought-provoking, inspiring, charismatic, careful, considerate and deliberative mind. The mind to stand up when others sit down. The mind to act when others refuse to act. The mind to stand even when you stand alone, battered, bruised and scorned, but still standing. Standing on principle, standing tall and standing for the people.
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay described Dellums as "...one of the most giving, open and stalwart, a real stalwart man when he was Chairman"
We are losing one of its finest Members, a Member that I have great respect for, because he always did his homework, was so articulate and eloquent on this floor.
He always got my attention when he stood up and took the microphone. He would stop every Member in their tracks to hear what he had to say, and there are very few Members that have served in this body that can claim the respect that both sides of the aisle had for the gentleman from California. And the incredible reputation that the gentleman from California has brought to this House; he has elevated this House. He has elevated the distinction of this House by serving here, and this House will greatly miss him when he leaves.
Voting record
Dellums's voting records in Congress were "almost without exception straight As" from groups such as the Sierra Club, the National Organization for Women and the AFL–CIO. He received 100% on consumer group Public Citizen's scorecard. In contrast, he received an "F" from NumbersUSA, a group dedicated to limiting immigration.
Dismissal of drug use allegations
An eight-month investigation cleared Dellums of allegations that he had used cocaine and marijuana, finding there was no basis for the allegations. The investigation of Dellums and two other congressmen, Texas Democrat Charlie Wilson and California Republican Barry Goldwater Jr., began in 1983, based on a complaint from a House doorkeeper, who pleaded guilty to drug charges on Capitol Hill himself in March 1983.
Presidential nominations
In 1976, Dellums was nominated for president by the National Black Political Assembly but refused, stating "It is not my moment; it's not my time." That year, he received 20 delegate votes at the Democratic National Convention for the Vice-Presidency.
Four years later, he was again nominated as the presidential candidate, this time for the Independent Freedom Party, but refused the nomination because the IFP had not yet created an effective political structure. In that year's Democratic National Convention, Dellums received three delegate votes for the Presidential nomination.
Lobbyist
Dellums worked as a legislative lobbyist, which drew criticism described in the East Bay Express, a local newspaper. Shortly after leaving office, Dellums began consulting for an international health-care company, Healthcare Management International, which invests in health insurance programs in developing countries.
Dellums worked in Washington, D.C., as a lobbyist for clients such as the East Bay Peralta Community College District and AC Transit, the public transit district charged with offering mass transit throughout the East Bay. Dellums's firm lobbied for Rolls-Royce, a company that manufactures aircraft engines. He also worked on behalf of the San Francisco International Airport during its attempts to build additional runway capacity, which has been vigorously opposed by environmental groups. His company was engaged in community relations work for the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory which conducts scientific research on behalf of the Department of Energy, and has long had a contentious relationship with its residential neighbors and the Berkeley city council. In addition he lobbied for Bristol-Myers Squibb, a multinational pharmaceutical corporation.
In 2017, Bill Browder testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee that representatives of Vladimir Putin had hired "Howard Schweitzer of Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies and former Congressman Ronald Dellums to lobby members of Congress on Capitol Hill to repeal the Magnitsky Act and to remove Sergei's name from the Global Magnitsky bill." The bill is named for the Russian lawyer who was murdered in prison for pursuing the corruption of Putin's allies. Dellums also worked with the Human Rights Accountability Global Initiative to oppose sanctions on Russia.
Dellums lobbied for the Haitian government in 2001–2002 and worked to support Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the first democratically elected, former President of Haiti who was deposed in a 2004 coup.
When running for mayor of Oakland, Dellums listed his most recent profession as "retired Congressman" in election filing forms. When assistant City Clerk Marjo Keller informed the Dellums campaign that this description was unacceptable, the campaign elected to leave the occupation field blank.
A former East Bay Express columnist once wrote a column titled "Dellums for Dollars" criticizing Dellums's lobbying. Speaking in defense of Dellums, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson said that, if asked, Dellums would likely say "just because I'm advocating for a company that may be paying me consulting fees, I'm not selling out my beliefs."
Mayor of Oakland
2006 Oakland mayoral election
Main article: 2006 Oakland mayoral electionAfter Oakland Council President Ignacio De La Fuente and District 3 City Council member Nancy Nadel declared their mayoral candidacies, Dellums was recruited to run for mayor of Oakland. An informal committee, "Draft Dellums", collected 8,000 signatures and presented them to the former Congressman at a public meeting at Laney College. Crowds of Oaklanders chanted "Run, Ron, Run".
In October 2005, reportedly after weeks of deliberation and speculation, Dellums announced that he would run for mayor of Oakland. The incumbent mayor, former California Governor Jerry Brown, was prohibited by term limits from running again.
On June 16, 2006, after a careful ballot count, and a dispute over whether votes for unqualified write-in candidates such as George W. Bush and Homer Simpson counted towards the total, Dellums was unofficially declared the winner in the Oakland mayoral race. Dellums garnered a 50.18 percent majority to win the election. This was 155 votes more than needed to avoid a runoff. Dellums received 41,992 votes, while his nearest challengers received 27,607 votes, and 10,928 votes respectively.
Transition and citizen task forces
Mayor-Elect Dellums's transition to office involved 800 Oaklanders who joined 41 task forces to make recommendations on issues ranging from public safety to education and affordable housing. Many of these recommendations helped to shape the policy agenda of the Dellums administration. The task forces recommended a land use policy which would emphasize zoning for job-creating business. This policy was adopted in 2007, and the city is being zoned. The task forces recommended a stronger policy on the hiring of local residents, and the City Council appointed a group to pursue this change. The task forces recommended a focus on the green economy, and the Mayor, along with a variety of community organizations created the Green Jobs Corps, an office of sustainability and the East Bay Green Corridor. Mayor Dellums reported that approximately two-thirds of the recommendations had been implemented as of the end of 2009. The Task Forces and the Inauguration itself, which included hundreds of the city's least affluent residents, were considered examples of grassroots democracy.
Public safety initiatives
Crime rates were high when Dellums took office in January 2007 and at his first State of the City Address in January 2008, Dellums called for hiring more police officers. Dellums promised that by year's end, the police department would be fully staffed at 803 officers. On November 14, 2008, 38 Oakland police officers were added to the force after graduating the 165th academy, bringing the department's force to 837 officers, the most in OPD history.
In addition, to follow through on his calls for hiring more officers, Dellums offered Measure NN on the November 2008 ballot, a voter initiative parcel tax to hire 70 additional police officers at a hiring and training cost of $250,000 each. Though 55 percent of Oakland voters supported Measure NN, this failed to meet California's "two thirds" constitutional requirement for the enactment of a new tax.
Dellums's administration negotiated the passage of a new police contract which was especially noteworthy, as it broke the Oakland Police Officers Association's opposition to the civilianization of certain OPD positions which were previously staffed by "sworn," uniformed police officers, with concomitant payrolls and police academy training costs. OPD then hired "non-sworn" personnel to work some of its desk jobs and administrative jobs, freeing up academy uniformed officers for street patrol and investigative work.
On March 21, 2009, during the 2009 Oakland police shootings incident, the Oakland Police Department lost three sergeants and one officer. One of the officers left instructions in his emergency packet that if he were killed in the line of duty that Dellums not be permitted to speak at his funeral. Two of the officers' families requested the same, and when Dellums attended the March 28 public memorial service at the Oracle Arena he honored the requests.
In his State of the City address in 2008 Dellums promised to reduce the crime rate by 10% during 2009; the crime rate actually went down by 13%.
In 2009 Dellums hired the highly regarded Anthony Batts, formerly the Long Beach police chief. Batts had a record of reducing both crime and police shootings in that Southern California city.
Education initiatives
Noting that reducing teacher turn-over and improving the engagement of teachers with the families of their students would require increasing the number of teachers who came from the local community, Dellums initiated a program to create more teachers who were diverse local residents. He held teacher recruitment summits in City Hall, helped the Teach Tomorrow in Oakland program to obtain $2.7 million in federal funding, and spoke to the U.S. Conference of Mayors about the national potential of such programs. The Community Task Forces remained active in these efforts.
In 2009 Dellums launched an anti-drop-out initiative which included sponsoring back to school rallies at City Hall and participating with the school district in truancy reduction efforts. He accepted an invitation from the national organization, America's Promise, to join their efforts at drop-out prevention. As part of this effort, he started Oakland's Promise, recruited several dozen community-based organizations to participate, held a Summit with 350 participants, and adopted an Action Plan to cut Oakland's drop-out rate in half.
Promoting Oakland
As mayor, Dellums proposed the idea of Oakland as a "Model City". He argued that Oakland is "big enough to be significant and small enough to get your arms around", and that the federal government needs a city like Oakland on which to try out new urban policy inventions.
From 2008, Dellums campaigned to bring millions in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act federal stimulus funding to Oakland, using both his extensive Washington D.C. contacts and the idea of the Model City. By the end of 2009, his efforts had yielded US$65 million in stimulus funding for Oakland, including the largest police grant of any city in the country, and the second largest amount in competitive funding after Chicago.
Criticism and recall efforts
After his election as mayor of Oakland, Dellums came under criticism for a wide range of issues, including a lack of transparency in government, ineffectual governance, and alleged extended absence from his duties at City Hall. He was criticized for refusing to disavow a staff-generated letter sent in his name in July 2007 to a Federal Bankruptcy Court in support of Your Black Muslim Bakery, whose owners were suspects in the 2007 murder of reporter Chauncey Bailey. In 2009, Dellums and his wife were cited with failure to pay over $239,000 in federal income taxes.
In 2007, Oakland reporter Elise Ackerman launched an unsuccessful campaign to recall Dellums and released an open letter addressed to Dellums. When addressing a town hall-style meeting in 2007, Dellums declared: "I'm giving it everything that I have. If that's not enough, that's cool. Recall me and let me get on with my private life."
Dellums later announced he would not seek a second term as mayor of Oakland in the 2010 election. He was succeeded by Jean Quan.
Death
Dellums died of complications from prostate cancer on July 30, 2018, at age 82. He was interred with military honors in section 82, at Arlington National Cemetery.
Partisan affiliations
Although he ran as a Democrat and caucused as a Democrat in Congress, Dellums described himself as a socialist. He was the first self-described socialist in Congress since Victor L. Berger. In the 1970s, Dellums was a member of the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee (DSOC), an offshoot of the Socialist Party of America. He later became vice-chair of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which was formed by a merger between the DSOC and the New American Movement, and which works within and outside the Democratic Party.
While running for mayor of Oakland, Dellums was officially registered as a member of the Democratic Party.
On October 1, 2007, Dellums endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary at a press conference held at Laney College in Oakland. He was named national chair of Clinton's Urban Policy Committee.
Dellums was a member of the ReFormers Caucus of Issue One.
Autobiography
In 2000, Dellums published an autobiography, cowritten with H. Lee Halterman, entitled Lying Down with the Lions: A Public Life from the Streets of Oakland to the Halls of Power.
See also
- List of African-American United States representatives
- List of Democratic Socialists of America who have held office in the United States
- The Color of Friendship
References
- "Ronald V. Dellums, Representative from California". Black Americans in Congress. Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
- Maurice Isserman. "A Brief History of the American Left". Democratic Socialists of America. Archived from the original on August 2, 2006.
- ^ Lynn Norment (August 1994). "How African-Americans helped free South Africa". Ebony. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009.
- Christopher Heredia "Willa Dellums - mother of Oakland mayor - dies", San Francisco Gate, August 20, 2008
- "Mayor-elect Ron Dellums: Oakland 'can be a great city'". People's Weekly World. June 24, 2006. Archived from the original on October 2, 2006.
- ^ Jim Herron Zamora; Janine DeFao (October 8, 2005). "Dellums enters Oakland mayor race as favorite". San Francisco Chronicle.
- "Ron Dellums, an Active Presence from California". The African American Registry. Archived from the original on October 27, 2006.
- "Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha". Archived from the original on September 15, 2006. Retrieved October 24, 2006.
- "Alpha Phi Alpha's World Policy Council". Archived from the original on October 10, 2006. Retrieved October 24, 2006.
- ^ "Democratic Socialists of America". www.nndb.com. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
- ^ McFadden, Robert D. (July 30, 2018). "Ron Dellums, 82, Dies; Unrelenting in Congress, He Upheld Left's Ideals". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- Johnson, Chip (November 4, 2005). "Candidates both have problem son". The San Francisco Chronicle.
- "Ron Dellums, former congressman and Oakland mayor, dies at age 82". August 4, 2018.
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Veselnitskaya, the lawyer in the meeting, has been deeply involved in the anti-Magnitsky Act effort in the U.S. as part of a group called the Human Rights Accountability Global Initiative Foundation that has lobbied in Congress against the legislation ... Akhmetshin, who is currently in Europe, said in an email that there was one instance involving Behrends walking with former Democratic Congressman Ron Dellums, who was also part of the lobbying effort, to the office of the ranking Democrat on Rohrabacher's subcommittee.
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{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - Rayburn, Kelly (January 14, 2008). "Mayor Dellums outlines agenda for Oakland". Mercury News. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
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External links
- Profile at Citymayors.com
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Dellums victory signifies a sea change in Oakland politics San Francisco Chronicle, June 19, 2006.
- Ron Dellums's oral history video excerpts at The National Visionary Leadership Project.
- Appearances on C-SPAN
U.S. House of Representatives | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded byJeffery Cohelan | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 7th congressional district 1971–1975 |
Succeeded byGeorge Miller |
Preceded byPete Stark | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 8th congressional district 1975–1993 |
Succeeded byNancy Pelosi |
Preceded byCharles Diggs | Chair of the House District of Columbia Committee 1979–1993 |
Succeeded byPete Stark |
Preceded byMervyn M. Dymally | Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 1989–1991 |
Succeeded byEdolphus Towns |
Preceded byPete Stark | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 9th congressional district 1993–1998 |
Succeeded byBarbara Lee |
Preceded byLes Aspin | Chair of the House Armed Services Committee 1993–1995 |
Succeeded byFloyd Spence |
Preceded byFloyd Spence | Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee 1995–1998 |
Succeeded byIke Skelton |
Political offices | ||
Preceded byJerry Brown | Mayor of Oakland 2007–2011 |
Succeeded byJean Quan |
Chairs of the United States House Committee on Armed Services | ||
---|---|---|
Military Affairs Committee (1822–1947) |
| |
Naval Affairs Committee (1822–1947) | ||
Armed Services Committee* (from 1947) | ||
Alternately named National Security in 104th and 105th Congresses. |
Chairs of the Congressional Black Caucus | |
---|---|
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