Roland Burris (Finding Aid)

Roland Burris

1937 -

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Food: Fruit and Vegetables

Favorite Time of Year: Spring

Favorite Vacation Spot: Africa

Interview Length: 157 minutes

Interview Date(s): May 24, 2000

Interview Location(s): Chicago, Illinois

Abstract

Illinois politician and attorney Roland W. Burris talks about his childhood in Centralia, Illinois, where his father was a laborer for the Illinois Central Railroad and the family also ran a grocery store. The experience of integrating the public swimming pool as a teenager inspired Burris to aim for a career in law and public service. He talks about his values and drive for achievement, and he also shares information about his family history, which he has traced back several generations on both sides. Illinois politician and attorney Roland W. Burris talks about growing up in an African American neighborhood in Centralia, Illinois, where he was raised with a strong sense of value of community and respect for elders. He talks about his teenage years and his attendance at Southern Illinois University where he and other students integrated the downtown stores and restaurants by collecting evidence of discrimination which SIU dean Delyte Morris and attorney John Rendleman presented to the city council. Burris also talks about his time as an exchange student studying law in Germany and tells a story about his trip to Washington, D.C. to enroll at Howard University School of Law. Illinois politician and attorney Roland W. Burris talks about his experiences at Howard University School of Law, his marriage and move to Chicago, Illinois where he worked first as a bank examine for the U.S. Treasury Department, then at Continental Bank; despite facing discrimination on the job, he became an officer in five years. Burris says that he had his sights set on a political career and worked toward this by joining many organizations, founding the Black Independent Voters Organization, and in 1968, waging his first campaign for the state legislature; although he lost, the race helped to establish his name and he continued working with other politicians and community groups. Illinois politician and attorney Roland W. Burris talks about his political career in Illinois state government during the 1970s and 1980s; he served much of that time as state comptroller, the first African American to be elected to a state-wide office in Illinois. He discusses many details of Illinois state politics and his involvement in independent political groups and other organizations such as the Jaycees and Operation PUSH. Burris also talks about his work at Continental Bank, where he faced blatant racism from white employees and some suspicion from other black employees when he was made the bank's first black officer. Illinois politician and attorney Roland W. Burris details the changes he instituted upon taking office in 1979 as Illinois Comptroller. He then describes his accomplishments as Illinois Attorney General from 1991-1995, and he talks about his unsuccessful campaign for mayor of Chicago in 1995. He discusses the significance of being an African American trailblazer in these high state offices and the importance of building black political and economic power. Illinois politician and attorney Roland W. Burris talks about people who have influenced him and other black politicians from Illinois. He praises his wife, Berlean, as an important support and advisor to him and he details her own education and career in nursing and school administration.

46 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)