Portrait of Oscar DePriest outside the Capitol, 1929. Oscar S. DePriest, described as being six feet tall, weighing 200 pounds, having a light complexion, sandy hair and blue eyes, represented more than the First District of Illinois from 1929 to 1934 from which he had been elected. He became the only voice in Congress for twelve million black Americans. He had a commanding presence in this portrait taken in front of the Capitol where he fought the battles for racial equality and justice.