K. Leroy Irvis
Encyclopedia
K. Leroy Irvis was the first African American
to serve as a speaker of the house
in any state legislature in the United States
since Reconstruction. John Roy Lynch (1847–1939) of Mississippi was the first African American to hold that position. Mr. Irvis, a Democrat
, represented Pittsburgh
in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from 1958–1988.
. He graduated summa cum laude
from the University of New York State Teachers College in 1938 with a master's degree
in education
—only the second black American to graduate from the college. Irvis proceeded to teach English and history in Baltimore high schools until World War II
, when he became a civilian flying instructor in the War Department
.
by Pittsburgh's department stores in 1947, the first demonstration of its kind in American history http://www.dom.com/about/education/strong/2003/irvis.jsp. It is likely that Mr. Irvis was blackballed
from private-sector jobs for quite some time as a result.
He became an entrepreneur
for a time, managing a toy factory and a hot dog stand. In 1950, he left his businesses and pursued blue-collar work in steel mills and road construction.
In 1954 he earned a law degree from University of Pittsburgh School of Law
. He then worked in a series of prestigious government jobs, such as law clerk to Judge Anne X. Alpern and city solicitor, finally rising to become the first black assistant district attorney
of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
. He supplemented his income as a radio announcer for WILY
. When his reputation had grown, he opened a private law practice downtown.
Irvis served Pittsburgh's Hill District for 15 straight terms. Rep. Irvis sponsored over 1600 bills, and is most known for bills promoting civil rights, fair housing, education, public health, highway safety, and modernization of the penal code. In 1977 he ascended to the role of speaker of the house by a unanimous vote.
His most noted achievements include the passage of legislation creating the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
and Equal Opportunity Program, the state's community college
system, the Minority Business Development Authority, and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
. He is also largely responsible for the Pennsylvania House Ethics Committee, lobbyist registration, and the Legislative Audit Advisory Commission.
, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
, and Dominion Resources
The University of Pittsburgh
has a K. Leroy Irvis Reading Room in Hillman Library. In 2003, the South Office Building within the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex was renamed the Speaker K. Leroy Irvis Office Building.
Pennsylvania Democratic Party
Chairman T. J. Rooney
described Rep. Irvis as, "one of greatest legislative giants that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has ever seen ... [and] one of the most admired and respected Pennsylvanians we'll ever know."
In 1988, the same year that he retired from politics, Mr. Irvis wrote This Land of Fire, (ISBN 0-943556-01-5) a book of poems published by Temple University
. His wood sculptures have been displayed in exhibits throughout the country. He died at age 86 of cancer
.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
to serve as a speaker of the house
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
in any state legislature in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
since Reconstruction. John Roy Lynch (1847–1939) of Mississippi was the first African American to hold that position. Mr. Irvis, a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, represented Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
from 1958–1988.
Early life
K. Leroy Irvis was born in Saugerties, New YorkSaugerties (village), New York
Saugerties is a village in Ulster County, New York, USA. The population was 4,955 at the 2000 census.The Village of Saugerties is a Town in the eastern part of the Town of Saugerties. U.S. Route 9W passes through the village...
. He graduated summa cum laude
Latin honors
Latin honors are Latin phrases used to indicate the level of academic distinction with which an academic degree was earned. This system is primarily used in the United States, Canada, and in many countries of continental Europe, though some institutions also use the English translation of these...
from the University of New York State Teachers College in 1938 with a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
—only the second black American to graduate from the college. Irvis proceeded to teach English and history in Baltimore high schools until World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, when he became a civilian flying instructor in the War Department
United States Department of War
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department , was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army...
.
Pennsylvania career
After World War II, he moved to Pittsburgh and began working as the public relations secretary for the local chapter of the Urban League. While with the Urban League, he led a demonstration against Jim Crow employment discriminationJim Crow laws
The Jim Crow laws were state and local laws in the United States enacted between 1876 and 1965. They mandated de jure racial segregation in all public facilities, with a supposedly "separate but equal" status for black Americans...
by Pittsburgh's department stores in 1947, the first demonstration of its kind in American history http://www.dom.com/about/education/strong/2003/irvis.jsp. It is likely that Mr. Irvis was blackballed
Blackball (blacklist)
Blackballing is a rejection in a traditional form of secret ballot, where a white ball or ballot constitutes a vote in support and a black ball signifies opposition. This system is typically used where a club's rules provide that, rather than a majority of the votes, one or two objections are...
from private-sector jobs for quite some time as a result.
He became an entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
for a time, managing a toy factory and a hot dog stand. In 1950, he left his businesses and pursued blue-collar work in steel mills and road construction.
In 1954 he earned a law degree from University of Pittsburgh School of Law
University of Pittsburgh School of Law
The University of Pittsburgh School of Law was founded in 1895, and became a charter member of the Association of American Law Schools in 1900...
. He then worked in a series of prestigious government jobs, such as law clerk to Judge Anne X. Alpern and city solicitor, finally rising to become the first black assistant district attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh...
. He supplemented his income as a radio announcer for WILY
WWNL
WWNL is a Christian radio station based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The station, which is owned by Steel City Radio, Inc., broadcasts at 1080 kHz with a power of 50,000 watts daytime .- History :...
. When his reputation had grown, he opened a private law practice downtown.
Irvis served Pittsburgh's Hill District for 15 straight terms. Rep. Irvis sponsored over 1600 bills, and is most known for bills promoting civil rights, fair housing, education, public health, highway safety, and modernization of the penal code. In 1977 he ascended to the role of speaker of the house by a unanimous vote.
His most noted achievements include the passage of legislation creating the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
Created in 1963 by the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency has evolved into one of the nation's leading student aid organizations...
and Equal Opportunity Program, the state's community college
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
system, the Minority Business Development Authority, and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts is an agency serving the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.Established in 1966, its mission is "to foster the excellence, diversity and vitality of the arts in Pennsylvania and to broaden the availability and appreciation of those arts throughout the state." Each year...
. He is also largely responsible for the Pennsylvania House Ethics Committee, lobbyist registration, and the Legislative Audit Advisory Commission.
Honors
Among the organizations to have formally honored Irvis are the NAACP, University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)
Lincoln University is the United States' first degree-granting historically black university. It is located near the town of Oxford in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. The university also hosts a Center for Graduate Studies in the City of Philadelphia. Lincoln University provides...
, and Dominion Resources
Dominion Resources
Dominion Resources Inc. , commonly referred to as Dominion, is a power and energy company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia that supplies electricity in parts of Virginia and North Carolina and supplies natural gas to parts of West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and eastern North Carolina...
The University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
has a K. Leroy Irvis Reading Room in Hillman Library. In 2003, the South Office Building within the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex was renamed the Speaker K. Leroy Irvis Office Building.
Pennsylvania Democratic Party
Pennsylvania Democratic Party
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party is the local branch of the United States Democratic Party in the state of Pennsylvania. The party has had strong support in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia area for a long time, having controlled the mayoral office in Philadelphia since 1952, and the Pittsburgh...
Chairman T. J. Rooney
T. J. Rooney
T.J. Rooney is the former chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.He is a graduate of West Essex High School in North Caldwell, New Jersey...
described Rep. Irvis as, "one of greatest legislative giants that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has ever seen ... [and] one of the most admired and respected Pennsylvanians we'll ever know."
Later life
Irvis's first wife, Katharyne Jones, died in 1958. In 1973 he married Cathryn L. Edwards, who survived him, as do his son Reginald and daughter Sherri.In 1988, the same year that he retired from politics, Mr. Irvis wrote This Land of Fire, (ISBN 0-943556-01-5) a book of poems published by Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
. His wood sculptures have been displayed in exhibits throughout the country. He died at age 86 of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
.
External links
- K. Leroy Irvis' oral history video excerpts at The National Visionary Leadership Project
- Finding aid to the K. Leroy Irvis Papers at the Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Sources
- "Former Pa. House speaker K. Leroy Irvis dies", Pittsburgh Post-GazettePittsburgh Post-GazetteThe Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, also known simply as the "PG," is the largest daily newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.-Early history:...
, March 16, 2006 - "2003 Honorees – K. Leroy Irvis", Dominion ResourcesDominion ResourcesDominion Resources Inc. , commonly referred to as Dominion, is a power and energy company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia that supplies electricity in parts of Virginia and North Carolina and supplies natural gas to parts of West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and eastern North Carolina...
- "K. Leroy Irvis", PA House of Representatives Democratic Caucus