Louis Stokes, the first black person to be elected into Congress from the state of Ohio, died late Tuesday at the age of 90.
His death, confirmed by family members, comes a month after his media representative revealed that he was recently diagnosed with lung and brain cancer.
The family released this statement:
"Our family is mourning the loss of our husband, father, grandfather and close confidant. He died peacefully with Jay, his wife of 55 years, at his side. During his illness, he confronted it as he did life - with bravery and strength. He was always guided by faith, while embracing the prayers and well wishes of family, friends and constituents. We are grateful for the cards, prayers and words of comfort during this difficult time. He loved Cleveland and was honored to have the opportunity to represent its citizens in the United States Congress. He was equally committed to our family, and his love knew no bounds. It is this enduring love that will sustain us in the days and years to come."
Stokes was elected to the House of Representatives in 1968, becoming Ohio's first black member of Congress and one of the nine black members there at the time. He served 15 consecutive terms, representing the 21st and 11th Districts of Ohio, until he stepped down in 1999, according to USA Today.
During his service, he was the dean of the delegation and headed the House's Select Committee on Assassinations that looked into the deaths of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He also served on the Iran-Contra investigative committee where he gained notoriety for his interrogations of Lt. Col. Oliver North.
In January, he was appointed by Ohio Gov. John Kasich to be one of the Community-Police Relations task force's 18 members, whose objective was to provide ideas to build relationships between police and their communities, according to NBC's Ohio affiliate NBC 3.
He celebrated his 90th birthday in February.
Stokes was educated in Clevaland's Public School system, graduating from Central High School. After three years of service in the U.S. Army, Stokes returned to Cleveland and attended Western Reserve University.
After graduating from Western Reserve, he earned his doctor of laws degree from Cleveland-Marshall law school in 1953 and practiced law for 14 years, where he participated in three cases in the U.S. Supreme Court. Throughout his career he played a vital role in the struggle for social and economic justice, civil rights and equality.
Stokes was the recipient of 27 honorary doctorate degrees, and became the first black person to receive the Congressional Distinguished Service Award in 2003.
In 2006, he served on the on the National Science Board's Commission on 21st Century Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
For what many believe may be one of his greatest honors in his illustrious career, Stokes was inducted into the International Walk of Fame at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in 2011.
