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Keith Ellison

Politician

In 2006, Keith Ellison was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to serve Minnesota’s 5^th Congressional District, which includes the City of Minneapolis and some surrounding areas. His victory made him the foremost Muslim elected official in the United States. His decision to use a Koran for a swearing in ceremony caused a stir of controversy and put him at the center of a debate about religious freedom and Islam’s place in American politics. Ellison was raised in Detroit, Michigan and moved to Minnesota in 1987 to attend University of Minnesota Law School. Prior to his run for Congress, he spent two terms in Minnesota’s State House.

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Rep. Keith Ellison Slams Colleague for Targeting Muslims

Rep. Keith Ellison says Rep. Peter King's call for increased scrutiny on all Muslims is "wrong" and "ridiculous."

Strike That

Eight House Democrats, led by Rep. Barbara Lee, sent a letter to Obama on March 11 condemning secretive drone strikes. Other CBC co-signers included Reps. John Conyers, Donna Edwards and Keith Ellison. The letter accuses the administration of sett...

Somalia Visit

Just one month after the Obama administration formally recognized the Somali government, Ellison became the first member of Congress to visit the country in Feb. 2013. "I told my constituency I would come here and work for the United States and So...

Minnesota Congressman Arrives in Mogadishu

U.S. congressman Keith Ellison visited Somalia's capital on Tuesday, the first visit in years by a member of Congress to what until recently was considered one of the world's most dangerous cities.

Black Leaders Happy to Hear Obama Discuss Urban Concerns

President Obama's State of the Union address signaled that he is paying attention to African-American issues, leaders say.

Hadiya Pendleton's Mother to Congress: Do Your Job

Cleopatra Pendleton and other advocates urge congressional lawmakers to pass gun control legislation.

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