10 Things You Didn't Know About Roland Burris
Embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich named Roland Burris as Obama's replacement in the U.S. Senate.
1. Roland Wallace Burris was born Aug. 3, 1937, in Centralia, Ill., to Earl and Emma Burris. He was the youngest of three children.
2. In the 1950s, Earl Burris led a drive to integrate the local municipal swimming pool. On Memorial Day in 1953, Roland Burris, at the age of 15, became the first African-American to swim in the pool.
3. Burris graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1959 with a degree in political science. He earned his law degree from Howard University in 1963.
4. Burris was named to a state budget post in the early 1970s by Illinois Gov. Dan Walker, who was later convicted of bank fraud, perjury, and misapplication of funds.
5. In 1978, Burris was elected comptroller, making him the first African-American to hold statewide office in Illinois. He would go on to serve three terms as comptroller and one term as attorney general.
6. While attorney general, Burris drew criticism when he refused to acknowledge error in the controversial murder conviction of Rolando Cruz, who was later exonerated of the 1983 murder of a 10-year-old girl.
7. Burris failed three times in bids for Illinois governor, including a 2002 primary loss to Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
8. Burris once performed as Muhammad Ali in a skit before journalists, lobbyists, and politicians at a banquet in Springfield, capital of Illinois. Wearing shorts and boxing gloves, he repeated one of Ali's famous lines: "I am the greatest."
9. Burris has erected a granite mausoleum for himself in Chicago's Oak Woods Cemetery. Carved under the words "Trail Blazer" is a long list of Burris's accomplishments.
10. Burris is married to Berlean Miller. They have two children, Rolanda and Roland II.
Sources: Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, New York Times, Time
- Read more 10 things features.
- Read more about Rod Blagojevich.
Reader Comments
Names of the Roland's two other siblings
What is the name of Roland's sibling Brother who lived in Wisconsin Lake Geneva
Burris is what in 1953?
Back then people of color, like him, were not called AFRICANHYPHENAMERICAN!
What is this? Roland Burris's spin control?
Democrats will let anyone in. No ethics, no morals, just business as usual. We have the best Senators, their money will buy! When was the last time the Democrats stood firm against seating someone? This is why we are in the mess we are in. Everythings all good with the Democrats.
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