Mervyn M. Dymally

California State Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally

Mervyn Malcolm Dymally, Ph.D. (born May 12, 1926 in Cedros, Trinidad and Tobago) is a California Democratic politician of mixed Indo- and Afro-Trinidadian heritage. Dymally is currently a member of the California State Assembly after having come out of retirement in 2002 when Assemblyman Carl Washington was term limited. Dymally was previously a member of the U.S. House from 1981 to 1993. After his retirement in 1993, Dymally stayed off the political scene for nearly 10 years. Prior to his time in Congress, he was the first African American to serve as Lieutenant Governor of California from 1974 until 1978, when he was defeated for reelection by Mike Curb. He also served as the first African American in the California State Senate prior to his time as lieutenant governor. As a member of the House of Representative, he was the first foreign-born black Member of Congress and one of the first persons of Indian origin to serve in the U.S. Congress.

Dymally received his secondary education at Naparima College, San Fernando, Trinidad, his undergraduate education at Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri and Los Angeles State College, his Master's degree from California State University, Sacramento, and his doctorate from United States International University (now Alliant International University), San Diego.

[edit] External links

Preceded by John L. Harmer	Lieutenant Governors of California 1975–1979	Succeeded by Michael Curb
Preceded by Charles H. Wilson	United States Representative for the 31st Congressional District of California 1981–1993	Succeeded by Matthew G. Martinez
Preceded by Carl Washington	California State Assemblymember 52nd District 2002–	Succeeded by current