Genoa Washington

Genoa Washington was born in {{Birth based on age at death|76|1972|10|18}}{{Refn|Washington stated in early 1972 that he was in his 70s but unsure of his exact age, having lost his birth records. When he died later that year, his obituary said that he was 76.|group=note}} in Washington, D.C. He was the oldest of three children and the only son. His parents were Virgil William Washington, a Methodist minister and general secretary of missions at the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and Lucy Virginia Bonner. The younger Washington attended primary and secondary schools wherever his father's work took the family. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree and Juris Doctor at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1929. Washington served as vice president of the Cook County Bar Association, and as president of the Chicago branch of the NAACP. He was enlisted in the US Army as a private and was discharged as a captain of infantry. As a Freemason, Washington was a member of the Scottish Rite, affiliated with Prince Hall Freemasonry, and a master of the Richard E. Moore Lodge.{{Cite book |url=https://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/bb/id/20256 |title=Illinois Blue Book, 1967–1968 |publisher=Illinois Secretary of State |year=1967–1968 |editor-last=Powell |editor-first=Paul |editor-link=Paul Powell (politician) |page=235 |access-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116155633/https://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/bb/id/20256 |url-status=live }} {{Source-attribution}}

Washington served as an alternate delegate during the 1952 Republican National Convention. He was the only member of the Illinois delegation to vote for Dwight D. Eisenhower; the rest voted for Robert A. Taft.{{Cite news |last=Wood |first=Percy |date=March 13, 1960 |title=See Hot Primary in 4th District: But Other Races Appear Dull |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-see-hot-primary-in-4th-d/139003880/ |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=Chicago Tribune |at=part 3, p. 12 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=January 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121001654/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-see-hot-primary-in-4th-d/139003880/ |url-status=live }} During the 1954 U.S. House elections, Washington ran to represent Illinois's 1st congressional district, winning the Republican primary{{Cite news |last=Howard |first=Robert |date=April 15, 1954 |title=All 25 Illinois Congressmen Win in Primary |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-all-25-illinois-congress/144727758/ |access-date=April 4, 2024 |work=Chicago Tribune |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404073428/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-all-25-illinois-congress/144727758/ |url-status=live }} but losing the general election to the Democratic incumbent, William L. Dawson.{{Cite report |url=https://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1954election.pdf |title=Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 1954 |last1=Rockwood |first1=Earl |last2=Roberts |first2=Ralph R. |date=October 15, 1955 |publisher=United States Government Printing Office |location=Washington, DC |publication-date=1956 |page=8 |author-link2=Ralph R. Roberts |access-date=April 3, 2024 |archive-date=January 5, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070105011019/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1954election.pdf |url-status=live }}

Eisenhower, by then elected president, appointed Washington as alternate American delegate to the Twelfth session of the United Nations General Assembly in 1957,{{Cite book |last=Brooks Williams |first=Erma |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5ys-zrcqYBEC&dq=%22genoa+washington%22+illinois&pg=PP7 |title=Political Empowerment of Illinois' African-American State Lawmakers from 1877 to 2005 |publisher=University Press of America |year=2008 |isbn=9780761840183 |location=Lanham, Maryland |pages=31–32 |access-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116211546/https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=5ys-zrcqYBEC&oi=fnd&pg=PP7&dq=%22genoa+washington%22+illinois&ots=-tSORWKVLY&sig=1nCh86cUtEznl2LVuiAREWcXD7s#v=onepage&q=%22genoa%20washington%22%20illinois&f=false#v=onepage&q=%22genoa%20washington%22%20illinois&f=false |url-status=live }}{{Cite book |last=Krenn |first=Michael |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t6RzCQAAQBAJ&dq=%22genoa+washington%22+illinois&pg=PT102 |title=Black Diplomacy: African Americans and the State Department, 1945–69 |publisher=Routledge |year=1999 |isbn=9781317475811 |location=New York |publication-date=May 20, 2015 |access-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116211618/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Black_Diplomacy/t6RzCQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22genoa+washington%22+illinois&pg=PT102&printsec=frontcover |url-status=live }} where he served on the Special Political Committee. Eisenhower ended up appointing eight African Americans as alternate representatives to the UN, surpassing his Democratic predecessor, Harry S. Truman, who had appointed only three.

Washington then ran again in the 1960 US House elections for the 1st district. In the Republican primary, he ran against James M. Burr, who previously had sought the nomination unsuccessfully in 1958. Washington won the Republican primary{{Cite news |last=Yalowitz |first=Gerson |date=April 14, 1960 |title=Seven Congressmen Renominated in Illinois |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/mt-vernon-register-news-seven-congressm/144728031/ |access-date=April 4, 2024 |work=Mt. Vernon Register-News |pages=13 |via=Newspapers.com |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=April 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404073422/https://www.newspapers.com/article/mt-vernon-register-news-seven-congressm/144728031/ |url-status=live }} but again lost the general election to Dawson.{{Cite report |url=https://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electioninfo/1960election.pdf |title=Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 8, 1960 |last1=Guthrie |first1=Benjamin J. |last2=Roberts |first2=Ralph R. |date=April 15, 1961 |publisher=United States Government Printing Office |location=Washington, DC |publication-date=1961 |page=11 |access-date=April 3, 2024 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027214832/https://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1960election.pdf |url-status=live }} During the 1964 Republican National Convention, Washington and Euclid Taylor, a Chicago-based attorney, served as the only two African American delegates from Illinois, representing the 1st congressional district. Even though both were pledged to Nelson Rockefeller, Washington stated during a closed caucus meeting that he had wanted to vote for the eventual nominee, Barry Goldwater, to show unity.{{Cite journal |date=June 25, 1964 |title=Deny Entire Ill. GOP Delegation Pro-Goldwater |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dMEDAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22genoa+washington%22+illinois&pg=PA5 |journal=Jet |location=Chicago |publisher=Johnson Publishing Co. |volume=XXVI |issue=11 |page=5 |access-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116074853/https://books.google.com/books?id=dMEDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA5&dq=%22genoa+washington%22+illinois&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj1_9ncrOGDAxX7lSYFHSqQC2U4ChDoAXoECAIQAg#v=onepage&q=%22genoa%20washington%22%20illinois&f=false#v=onepage&q=%22genoa%20washington%22%20illinois&f=false |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Tagge |first=George |date=July 15, 1964 |title=Illinois Gives Barry 56 of 58 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-illinois-gives-barry-56/139003107/ |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=Chicago Tribune |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=January 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121001653/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-illinois-gives-barry-56/139003107/ |url-status=live }} During the convention, Washington gave one of the speeches seconding Rockefeller's nomination.{{Cite news |last=Whalen |first=Charles |date=July 16, 1964 |title=Goldwater Expected in Illinois |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/alton-evening-telegraph-goldwater-expect/139040784/ |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=Alton Evening Telegraph |agency=Associated Press |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119231923/https://www.newspapers.com/article/alton-evening-telegraph-goldwater-expect/139040784/ |url-status=live }} He and Taylor joined two other Illinois delegates in supporting a proposal by William Scranton, governor of Pennsylvania, which would have modified the Republican platform to call for strengthening federal enforcement of civil rights legislation. Scranton's proposal failed at the convention.{{Cite news |last=Whalen |first=Charles |date=July 15, 1964 |title=4 Illinoisans Back Rights Plank Change; 54 Hold Line |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/southern-illinoisan-4-illinoisans-back-r/139042297/ |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=The Southern Illinoisan |agency=Associated Press |location=Carbondale, Illinois |page=5 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119231924/https://www.newspapers.com/article/southern-illinoisan-4-illinoisans-back-r/139042297/ |url-status=live }} At the next Republican National Convention in 1968, Washington again supported Rockefeller for the presidential nomination, while most of the Illinois delegation backed Richard Nixon.{{Cite news |last=Tagge |first=George |date=August 1, 1968 |title=Dirksen Set to Declare for Nixon |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-dirksen-ready-to-take-st/139059759/ |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=Chicago Tribune |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119231927/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-dirksen-ready-to-take-st/139059759/ |url-status=live }} Washington was also one of two Illinois delegates who abstained on the vice presidential ballot, declining to support Spiro Agnew.{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Ralph H. |date=August 9, 1968 |title=Revolt smothered, Illinois delegates back Agnew |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/southern-illinoisan-revolt-smothered-il/139061422/ |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=The Southern Illinoisan |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119231924/https://www.newspapers.com/article/southern-illinoisan-revolt-smothered-il/139061422/ |url-status=live }}

Washington was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1966. He represented the 22nd district, reclaiming a seat that Democrats had taken control of in 1964.{{Refn|Due to the state's failure to redistrict, the 1964 Illinois House of Representatives election was an at-large election. All of the Democratic candidates won, taking control of the House from Republicans. As a result, 35 Republicans lost their seats, including Elwood Graham of the 22nd district.{{Cite news | via = Newspapers.com | url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-35-in-gop-lose-state/126261157/ | title = 35 in G.O.P. Lose State House Seats | author-first = George | author-last = Tagge | newspaper = Chicago Tribune | page = 1 | date = 1964-12-04 | access-date = January 16, 2024 | archive-date = June 12, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230612054836/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-35-in-gop-lose-state/126261157/ | url-status = live }} New legislative maps were approved for the 1966 elections.|group=note}}{{Cite journal |last=Booker |first=Simeon |author-link=Simeon Booker |date=November 24, 1966 |title=Election Conclusions: Negroes |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=krgDAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22genoa+washington%22+illinois&pg=PA10 |journal=Jet |publisher=Johnson Publishing Co. |publication-place=Chicago |volume=XXXI |issue=7 |page=10 |access-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116074747/https://books.google.com/books?id=krgDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA10&dq=%22genoa+washington%22+illinois&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj8_Lmpm-GDAxXbRDABHfD-ALoQ6AF6BAgDEAI#v=onepage&q=%22genoa%20washington%22%20illinois&f=false#v=onepage&q=%22genoa%20washington%22%20illinois&f=false |url-status=live }} From 1967 through 1972 he worked on bills related to civil rights and women's rights. Washington supported a fair housing proposal in 1967 that prohibited real estate brokers from refusing to sell or rent African Americans, but it contained an exception when the property owners explicitly consented to the discrimination. Washington did not believe the legislature would pass a bill prohibiting discrimination by homeowners, as such a proposal would have been seen as "forced housing".{{Cite news |date=March 3, 1967 |title=Fair Housing Bills Introduced by GOP |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jacksonville-daily-journal-fair-hous/139124019/ |access-date=January 19, 2024 |work=Jacksonville Daily Journal |agency=Associated Press |page=10 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=January 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121001653/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jacksonville-daily-journal-fair-hous/139124019/ |url-status=live }} In 1969, he and other Black members of the House filibustered an appropriations bill for the Illinois Department of Conservation to secure funding for recruitment and job training of minorities.{{Cite news |last=Icen |first=Richard |date=June 30, 1969 |title=Black Legislators Cohesive |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-edwardsville-intelligencer-black-leg/128453223/ |access-date=January 19, 2024 |work=Edwardsville Intelligencer |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119231927/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-edwardsville-intelligencer-black-leg/128453223/ |url-status=live }} In 1972, Washington sponsored an emergency appropriations bill directing $19 million to public aid.{{Cite news |last=Lauk |first=Tom |date=May 26, 1972 |title=Emergency public aid bill goes to Governor Ogilvie |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-republican-register-emergency-publ/139074553/ |access-date=January 19, 2024 |work=Daily Republican-Register |location=Mount Carmel, Illinois |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119231926/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-republican-register-emergency-publ/139074553/ |url-status=live }}

During his campaign for reelection in 1972, Washington faced three challengers for the Republican nomination, including Susan Catania, a freelance technical publications consultant. The Chicago Tribune reported that Catania was running "one of the most vigorous campaigns of the year", in contrast to the other candidates. Washington was confident of his reelection and led a relatively quiet campaign.{{Cite news |last=Seslar |first=Thomas |date=March 12, 1972 |title=Woman Overshadows Foes in 22d District Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-woman-overshadows-foes-i/139004362/ |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=Chicago Tribune |at=sec. 10, p. 1 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118225940/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-woman-overshadows-foes-i/139004362/ |url-status=live }}

Washington had cancer and did not survive the election season, dying in his home on October 14, 1972, at age 76. Catania succeeded him as the Republican representative from their district.{{Refn|Each district elected three members to the House, through a system of cumulative voting meant to encourage bipartisanship.{{cite journal |last1=McDowell |first1=James L. |title=The Orange-Ballot Election: The 1964 Illinois At-Large Vote—and After |journal=Journal of Illinois History |date=2007 |volume=10 |page=291 |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112103937048&seq=307 |access-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-date=November 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106224822/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112103937048&seq=307 |url-status=live }} This guaranteed that the 22nd district would elect one Republican member, despite being predominantly Democratic.{{Cite book |last1=Catania |first1=Susan |url=http://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/uis/id/5374 |title=Susan Catania Memoir |last2=Haynes |first2=Judy |publisher=University of Illinois Board of Trustees |year=1984 |location=Springfield, Illinois |pages=2–3 |access-date=September 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919020349/http://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/uis/id/5374 |archive-date=September 19, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{Cite journal|date=February 1984|title=Catania to teach course at SSU|url=https://www.lib.niu.edu/1984/ii8402039.html|journal=Illinois Issues|publisher=University of Illinois at Springfield|pages=40|issn=0738-9663|access-date=September 27, 2021|via=Illinois Periodicals Online|archive-date=August 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823030237/http://www.lib.niu.edu/1984/ii8402039.html|url-status=live}}|group=note}}{{Cite news |date=October 18, 1972 |title=Obituaries: Genoa Washington |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-genoa-washngton-1972/80829131/ |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=Chicago Tribune |at=sec. 3, p. 16 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118225948/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-genoa-washngton-1972/80829131/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Padar |first=Kayleigh |date=December 14, 2023 |title=Former Republican Illinois legislator Susan Catania remembered for supporting gay rights |url=https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/PASSAGES-Former-Republican-Illinois-legislator-Susan-Catania-remembered-for-supporting-gay-rights/76479.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115054618/https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/PASSAGES-Former-Republican-Illinois-legislator-Susan-Catania-remembered-for-supporting-gay-rights/76479.html |archive-date=January 15, 2024 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=Windy City Times}}

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Category:1972 deaths

Category:20th-century members of the Illinois General Assembly

Category:Northwestern University alumni

Category:Politicians from Chicago

Category:Republican Party members of the Illinois House of Representatives

Category:African-American state legislators in Illinois

Category:20th-century African-American politicians