During his time in the legislature, Coggs served as chairman of the Assembly Public Welfare Committee, as well as a member of the Revision Committee and Civil War Centennial Committee.
Civil rights legislationedit
In June 1961, Coggs introduced a Humans Rights bill in the Wisconsin Assembly with two civil rights provisions: a fair housing law and a plan to reform fair employment practices. Though Wisconsin GovernorGaylord Nelson supported the bill, it was met with resistance in committee, facing amendments to defeat or weaken it. The state National Association for the Advancement of Colored People called for a protest in response to the opposition to the bill on the steps of the Wisconsin State Capitol building. Seven hundred mostly supporters participated in nonviolent protests throughout the summer. On August 11, the bill was defeated in the assembly.[4] Coggs was disappointed by his Democratic colleagues for their rejection of his legislation, stating that, "We have a case of Dixiecrats. The Mason-Dixon line may be just south of Wisconsin Avenue."
Coggs had a friendly relationship with President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy told Coggs that a picture of him hung in his office.[5]
Awards and honorsedit
In 1978, Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. rededicated one of their health centers to be known as the "Isaac Coggs Heritage Health Center."
In 2017 Wisconsin Senate Joint Resolution 7, Coggs was honored for his service to the state.
Referencesedit
^'Wisconsin Legislature-Assembly Journal,' Wisconsin Legislative Research Service: 1973, Motion Under Joint Rule 36, pg. 917
^"Politics Run In The Family". Ebony. 39 (10): 100. August 1984.
^Jones, Patrick Damien (2002). 'The Selma of the North': Race relations and civil rights insurgency in Milwaukee, 1958–1970 (Thesis). ProQuest 305507259.
^Isaac N. Coggs Oral History Interview - John F. Kennedy Presidential Library
isaac, coggs, isaac, newton, coggs, june, 1920, april, 1973, american, accountant, democratic, politician, civil, rights, leader, from, milwaukee, wisconsin, member, wisconsin, state, assembly, terms, from, 1953, 1965, assembly, second, african, american, chai. Isaac Newton Coggs June 5 1920 April 8 1973 1 was an American accountant Democratic politician and civil rights leader from Milwaukee Wisconsin He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly for six terms from 1953 to 1965 In the Assembly he was the second African American to chair a Wisconsin legislative committee He was the first African American member of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors He led an effort against housing discrimination in Milwaukee in the 1960s Isaac CoggsMember of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Milwaukee 6th districtIn office January 5 1953 January 4 1965Preceded byLe Roy SimmonsSucceeded byLloyd BarbeePersonal detailsBorn 1920 06 05 June 5 1920Muskogee Oklahoma U S DiedApril 8 1973 1973 04 08 aged 52 Milwaukee Wisconsin U S Resting placeForest Home Cemetery MilwaukeePolitical partyDemocraticSpouseMarcia Priscilla YoungChildren4 including Elizabeth M CoggsRelativesSpencer Coggs nephew EducationUniversity of Wisconsin B S Military serviceAllegianceUnited StatesBranch serviceUnited States ArmyYears of service1943 1944Battles warsWorld War II His wife Marcia P Coggs and daughter Elizabeth M Coggs later served in the Wisconsin State Assembly His nephew Spencer Coggs also served in the Assembly and Wisconsin Senate Contents 1 Early life and career 1 1 Civil rights legislation 2 Awards and honors 3 ReferencesEarly life and career editBorn in Muskogee Oklahoma Coggs graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison and served in the United States Army during World War II Coggs was an accountant by trade and served as President of the Northside Milwaukee Businessmen s Association member of the YMCA Board American Legion and Disabled American Veterans He served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1953 to 1964 and then the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors from 1964 until 1968 2 3 During his time in the legislature Coggs served as chairman of the Assembly Public Welfare Committee as well as a member of the Revision Committee and Civil War Centennial Committee Civil rights legislation edit In June 1961 Coggs introduced a Humans Rights bill in the Wisconsin Assembly with two civil rights provisions a fair housing law and a plan to reform fair employment practices Though Wisconsin Governor Gaylord Nelson supported the bill it was met with resistance in committee facing amendments to defeat or weaken it The state National Association for the Advancement of Colored People called for a protest in response to the opposition to the bill on the steps of the Wisconsin State Capitol building Seven hundred mostly supporters participated in nonviolent protests throughout the summer On August 11 the bill was defeated in the assembly 4 Coggs was disappointed by his Democratic colleagues for their rejection of his legislation stating that We have a case of Dixiecrats The Mason Dixon line may be just south of Wisconsin Avenue Coggs had a friendly relationship with President John F Kennedy Kennedy told Coggs that a picture of him hung in his office 5 Awards and honors editIn 1978 Milwaukee Health Services Inc rededicated one of their health centers to be known as the Isaac Coggs Heritage Health Center In 2017 Wisconsin Senate Joint Resolution 7 Coggs was honored for his service to the state References edit Wisconsin Legislature Assembly Journal Wisconsin Legislative Research Service 1973 Motion Under Joint Rule 36 pg 917 Isaac Coggs Wisconsin Historical Society Politics Run In The Family Ebony 39 10 100 August 1984 Jones Patrick Damien 2002 The Selma of the North Race relations and civil rights insurgency in Milwaukee 1958 1970 Thesis ProQuest 305507259 Isaac N Coggs Oral History Interview John F Kennedy Presidential Library Wisconsin State Assembly Preceded byLe Roy Simmons Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Milwaukee 6th districtJanuary 5 1953 January 4 1965 Succeeded byLloyd Barbee Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Isaac N Coggs amp oldid 1209057983, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
