Biography
A Representative from Texas; born in Laredo, Webb County, Tex., September 19, 1955; graduated from J.W. Nixon High School, Laredo, Tex., 1974; A.A., Laredo Community College, Laredo, Tex., 1976; B.S., Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., 1978; J.D., University of Texas, Austin, Tex., 1981; M.A., Texas A&M International University, Laredo, Tex., 1982; Ph.D., University of Texas, Austin, Tex., 1998; lawyer, private practice; member of the Texas state house of representatives, 1987-2001; unsuccessful candidate for election to the One Hundred Eighth Congress in 2002; Texas secretary of state, 2001; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Ninth and to the nine succeeding Congresses (January 3, 2005-present).Courtesy of Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
