Profile America: First Native American US Senator

FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN SENATOR

Profile America — A social milestone was reached this date in 1907 when Congressman Charles Curtis of Kansas was seated in the U.S. Senate to complete the few weeks remaining in the term of a resigned senator. He was the first person with Native American blood to serve in the Senate, as his mother was descended from three tribes. He was elected to that office four times, serving for 20 years. He remained until March 3, 1929, when he left the Senate to serve as vice president under Herbert Hoover. There are about 5.4 million Native Americans and Alaska Natives of single or mixed race, as was Vice President Curtis. Twenty-six percent of those over the age of 16 in the civilian workforce are in management, business, science and arts occupations.

 

Source: Kane’s Famous First Facts

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