Former Congressman, Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums Dies At 81

OAKLAND, CA — Former Congressman and Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums has died, according to Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, his successor in the congressional seat.

"The contributions that Congressman Dellums made to our East Bay community, the nation, and the world are too innumerable to count," Lee said in a statement.

"I feel blessed to have called Congressman Dellums my dear friend, predecessor, and mentor. I will miss him tremendously, and I will hold dear to my heart the many lessons I learned from this great public servant," she
said.

Dellums, 82, was elected to the House of Representatives in 1970 and served for 27 years. He also served a term as Oakland's mayor from 2007 to 2011.

Information on a memorial service for him will be announced at a later time, according to Lee's office.

— Bay City News; Image via Shutterstock