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East detroit Congresswoman Caroline Cheeks Kilpatrick has died at the age of 80, according to her family.
The family announced Cheeks Kilpatrick’s death in a statement Wednesday, calling her a “tireless warrior” for Detroit and an “unwavering champion for her constituents.”
“For more than 32 years, Congresswoman Kilpatrick served elected office with passion, integrity and a steadfast commitment to making positive change in our community,” the family said. “She will be greatly missed not only by her family and friends, but by the entire Detroit community that she loved so much.”
Cheeks Kilpatrick, a Democrat, became the second black woman to serve in the U.S. House following her election in 1996. By his second term, he was assigned to the powerful House Appropriations CommitteeAccording to a biography on the US House website, where he worked to secure federal resources for Detroit.
was a member of Congressional Black Caucus and served as its president from 2007–2009.
A former school teacher, Cheeks Kilpatrick was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1978, where she served nine consecutive terms.
In 2008, his son, then-Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in a civil lawsuit involving retaliation against police officers. He later resigned from the post of mayor.
Kwame Kilpatrick was convicted of federal fraud, racketeering, extortion and tax crimes in 2013 and sentenced to 28 years in prison. He was released in 2021 after President donald trump His punishment was reduced.
Cheeks Kilpatrick ran for re-election in 2010, but lost in the Democratic primary.
“Congresswoman Kilpatrick leaves behind a legacy of service that shines as an example to all who knew her,” the Congressional Black Caucus said in a statement Wednesday.
In addition to her son, Cheeks Kilpatrick is survived by a daughter, Ayanna, and eight grandchildren.