Morehouse man to lead Congressional Black Caucus

Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., right, confers with Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, as the House Judiciary Committee met to approve rare bipartisan legislation that would reduce prison time for some nonviolent drug offenders. Gowdy is a former federal prosecutor. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., right, confers with Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, as the House Judiciary Committee met to approve rare bipartisan legislation that would reduce prison time for some nonviolent drug offenders. Gowdy is a former federal prosecutor. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Morehouse College graduate, U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, (D-LA), was elected as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Wednesday.

He will lead the largest assembly of the CBC in the history of the political alliance — 49 members.

Richmond, a 1995 Morehouse graduate, will assume leadership in January. He replaces outgoing Chairman G.K. Butterfield, (D-NC).

“I’m honored and humbled by the confidence my colleagues have placed in me to serve as chair of this revered caucus, the conscience and intellect of the Congress,” Richmond said in a statement. “As we move into a new Congress, and the onset of a new [presidential] administration, our caucus will remain committed to the values that have made the CBC among the most influential institutions in the nation.”

Richmond is the first Morehouse College alumnus to be elected as chair of the CBC.

Morehouse College President Dr. John Silvanus Wilson, Jr. said Richmond’s leadership will provide much needed comfort to the black community in the wake of a new presidential administration.

“The election of Congressman Richmond exemplifies how Morehouse Men have continued the legacy of leading consequential lives,” Wilson said.