Congressional Advisory Board

Sen. Mary Landrieu

Mary L. Landrieu has been referred to as "one of the Senate's foremost leaders on education" by her colleagues in the Senate. One Louisiana publication dubbed her "Military Mary" for her dedication to our armed services and her knowledge of defense issues. She has become a national voice on the importance of strengthening families through foster care and adoption. She is the state's senior senator, and a fiscal leader for the nation as a member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. She is a working mother, each day balancing the joys of family life with the responsibilities of being a U.S. Senator.

Rep. Shelley Berkley

As dynamic as the community she serves, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley has represented the families of Nevada's First Congressional District since 1999 and is currently in her fifth term as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. After completing junior high and high school in Las Vegas, Shelley became the first member of her family to attend college when she enrolled as an undergraduate at the University of Nevada - Las Vegas (UNLV). Elected as Student Body President her senior year, Shelley graduated with honors in 1972, earning a B.A. in Political Science. After obtaining her law degree in 1976 from the University of San Diego School of Law, Shelley returned to Las Vegas and began her professional career.

Rep. Michael Capuano

Michael Everett Capuano is currently serving his fifth term as a Representative in Congress for Massachusetts' historic Eighth District. The Eighth Congressional District includes Cambridge, Somerville, Chelsea and approximately 70% of Boston. Congressman Capuano is a member of the Committee on House Administration, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Committee on Financial Services. He also serves on the House Democratic Leadership team as a member of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. In June of 2006 Mike was appointed Chair of the Committee on Organization, Study and Review to analyze the rules of the House Democratic Caucus and recommend changes.

Rep. Julia Carson

Former Congressman Andy Jacobs eloquently introduces the story of his successor, Julia Carson: "The only thing some people learn from oppression is hatred and revenge. Others learn compassion and empathy. From the physical pain of material poverty and the mindlessly cruel persecution of nitwit racism, Julia Carson made her choice of hard work, compassion and a pleasing sense of humor." The result of Julia Carson's choice has been an extraordinary career of public service. Before she made history in 1996 by becoming the first woman and the first African-American Indianapolis has ever sent to Congress, Julia Carson served 18 years in the Indiana General Assembly and then 6 years as Center Township Trustee.

Rep. Steve Chabot

Congressman Steve Chabot represents Ohio's First District, which encompasses most of Cincinnati, its western suburbs and southwest Butler County. Chabot, a Republican, was first elected to Congress in 1994 and is serving his seventh term. Congressman Chabot is the Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee. He is also a member of the House Judiciary Committee where he had served for the past six years as Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution. Along with the Small Business and Judiciary Committees, Chabot is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and in the past served as the Vice-Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East. In 2003 he was appointed by President Bush to be the Congressional Representative to the 56th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Rep. Jim Clyburn

On November 16th, 2006, the House Democratic Caucus unanimously elected Congressman James E. Clyburn of South Carolina Majority Whip for the 110th Congress. Representative Clyburn is the first South Carolinian and the second African American to ascend to the third ranking position in the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Clyburn began his steady climb on Capitol Hill winning election as co-President of his freshman class. Six years later, he was unanimously elected Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and to a seat on the coveted Appropriations Committee. In 2002, he was elected in a three-way race to serve as Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, and in January 2006, his peers unanimously elevated him to Chair of the Caucus.

Rep. Joseph Crowley

Congressman Joseph Crowley was elected to the United States House of Representatives in November 1998 to represent the Bronx- and Queens-based Seventh Congressional District. Congressman Crowley has dedicated his life to serving the people of the Bronx and Queens. After graduating from Queens College, Joseph Crowley won a seat to the New York State Assembly in 1986 at the age of 24 and served in Albany until 1998. In November of 1998, Assemblyman Joseph Crowley was elected to the 106th Congress to represent the Seventh Congressional District of New York. The district includes parts of the Bronx and Queens, including the communities of Co-op City, Soundview, Pelham Parkway, Morris Park, Van Nest, Allerton, Parkchester, Throggs Neck, City Island, and Silver Beach in the Bronx, as well as Sunnyside, Woodside, Jackson Heights, Maspeth, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst and College Point in Queens.

Rep. Tom Davis

Tom was born in Minot, North Dakota on January 5, 1949, and moved with his family to Fairfax County at an early age. He graduated as president of his class from the United States Capitol Page School following four years as a U.S. Senate Page. He went on to Amherst College, graduating with honors in Political Science, and subsequently earned his law degree from the University of Virginia. Tom also attended Officer Candidate School, served on active duty in the U.S. Army, and spent eight years with the Virginia National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve. Tom has been a leader in reforming Congress' lobbying and gift rules and was recognized as a "True Blue Reformer" by the advocacy group "Public Citizen" for his consistently strong support of political and ethics reforms. Tom has earned a "Deficit Hawk" Award and the highest score in Virginia from the Concord Coalition, a bipartisan citizen's council dedicated to deficit reduction. Tom has also received awards from Americans for Tax Reform, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Information Technology Association of America, the Information Technology Industry Council, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Chief Information Officers, the IT Industry Council, and the Coalition for Government Procurement for his legislative accomplishments.

Rep. Bill Delahunt

William D. Delahunt represents the Tenth Congressional District of Massachusetts - which includes Cape Cod, the Islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, as well as Boston's economically diverse South Shore. He came to Congress in 1997 with a distinguished career in public service and law enforcement and has since been reelected five times He serves as a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and as Chairman of the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight. A 1963 graduate of Middlebury College in Vermont, Mr. Delahunt later went on to earn a law degree from Boston College in 1967. He served from 1963 to 1971 in the Coast Guard Reserve. The Congressman is the son of the late Ruth and Bill Delahunt Sr., a sales manager. He is a lifelong resident of Quincy, and the exceedingly proud father of Kirstin and Kara.

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson represents Texas's 30th Congressional District, which is entirely within Dallas County and encompasses a large portion of the city of Dallas as well as the entire cities of Desoto, Lancaster, Wilmer, Hutchins, and Balch Springs. Portions of the cities Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Glenn Heights, Ferris, and Ovilla and are also in the district. Congresswoman Johnson is widely recognized as one of the most effective legislators in Congress. She is credited with originally authoring and co-authoring more than 120 bills that were passed by the House and Senate and signed into law by the President.

Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones is the first African-American woman elected to the United States House of Representatives from Ohio. Congresswoman Jones is a lifelong resident of the 11th District, which encompasses most of the East Side of Cleveland and parts of the West Side of Cleveland and includes parts of 22 suburbs. Currently in her fifth term in office, the Congresswoman, a strong advocate for many issues, has championed wealth building and economic development, access and delivery of health care, and quality education for all. The Congresswoman chairs the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics). Additionally, she serves on the powerful Ways and Means Committee and is an active member of numerous Congressional Caucuses, including the Congressional Black Caucus.

Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick

Now in her sixth term serving Michigan's 13th Congressional District, Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick's hard work and thoughtful political style have earned her the confidence and respect of her peers, who have appointed her to the powerful House Appropriations Committee. She is the only Michigan Democrat on this important committee, which authorizes spending for all levels of the federal government. The Congresswoman has secured more than a half billion dollars to revitalize Michigan's 13th District. As a member of the newly created Financial Services Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Kilpatrick oversees the budgets of more than 20 governmental agencies, including the Treasury Department, National Credit Union Administration, Postal Service, and the Small Business Administration. As a member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee, she helps determine funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a federal agency aimed at ensuring the safety and security of America's families. One of the largest departments of the federal government, DHS encompasses 22 agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the U. S. Coast Guard.

Rep. Barbara Lee

Congresswoman Barbara Lee was first elected to represent California's ninth Congressional District in 1998, in a special election to fill the seat of retiring Congressman Ron Dellums. After serving on the International Relations and Financial Services Committees, in 2007 she joined the House Appropriations Committee, which controls the federal purse strings and is widely viewed as one of the most powerful committees in Congress. She serves on the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Subcommittee, the Foreign Operations Subcommittee and the Legislative Branch Subcommittee. She is the Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, First Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and a Senior Democratic Whip. She also serves as Co-Chair of the CBC Outreach Task Force.

Rep. Nita Lowey

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey is currently serving her tenth term in Congress, representing parts of Westchester and Rockland Counties. She was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1988 and served in the Democratic Leadership in 2001 and 2002 as the first woman and the first New Yorker to chair the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Lowey has been described as "courageous" by The New York Times, "terrific" by Newsday, and one of "New York's key Members of Congress" by the New York Daily News. The Journal News called Lowey "one of the most influential Members of Congress." A member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, where she serves as Chairwoman of the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, and the House Homeland Security Committee, Lowey is as an extremely effective, committed legislator with a substantial record. Congressional Quarterly called her one of the 50 most effective Members of Congress, saying she "maneuvers skillfully through the appropriations process," and Newsday said she "delivers for New York."

Rep. Carolyn Maloney

New York Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney is a national leader with extensive accomplishments on security, financial services, the economy and women's issues. She also has been a force representing the interests of the City of New York in Congress from the time she entered, in 1993. In the 110th Congress, Maloney became Chair of the House Financial Service Committee's Financial Institutions Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the nation's banking system. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also appointed her Vice Chair of the Joint Economic Committee, a House and Senate panel that examines and addresses the nation's most pressing economic issues. In addition, Maloney is a senior member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Rep. Betty McCollum

Betty McCollum is a Democrat serving her fourth term in Congress representing the families of Minnesota's Fourth District. In 2000 McCollum made history as only the second Minnesota woman elected to Congress since statehood in 1858. In Washington, McCollum serves the residents of Minnesota's capital city, St. Paul, as well as Ramsey County, northern Dakota County and western Washington County. Throughout her public career, Betty McCollum has been a champion for excellence in education, protecting the environment, expanding health care access and fiscal responsibility. In Congress, McCollum is also working to defend workers' rights and civil liberties at home, while ensuring human rights are protected around the world. In the 110th Congress, McCollum brings a common sense, Minnesota perspective to her two powerful committee assignments - the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Rep. Gregory Meeks

Congressman Gregory W. Meeks represents New York's Sixth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. The Sixth District, the wealthiest African-American congressional district in the country, covers all towns and villages of Jamaica and most of southeast Queens -- and includes all of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Now serving in his fourth full-term, Meeks was elected to the House on February 3, 1998. He is a member of the powerful House Committee on Financial Services and the much sought after Committee on International Relations. Meeks is a Member of the New Democrats Caucus and the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), pro-business moderate Democratic organizations in the House and Senate.

Rep. Dennis Moore

Dennis Moore, a lifelong Kansan, is serving his fifth term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Moore was born in Anthony, Kansas, in 1945. He was educated in Wichita public schools. In 1967, he graduated from the University of Kansas, and received his law degree from Washburn University School of Law in 1970 After service in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve, Moore started his legal career as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Kansas. He entered private legal practice in Johnson County in 1973. In 1976, Moore was elected District Attorney in Johnson County and was reelected twice, serving a total of 12 years. During his tenure, Moore earned a reputation as a tough, but fair, prosecutor. Moore is a member of the House Committees on the Budget and Financial Services, and is on a leave of absence from the House Small Business Committee during the 110th Congress. Moore is also a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate to conservative Democrats committed to restoring fiscal responsibility and accountability to government. Moore serves as Co-Chair for Policy, charged with overseeing various task forces to develop the group's policy positions.

Rep. Grace Napolitano

Grace Flores Napolitano was first elected to Congress in November, 1998. She is currently serving her fifth term representing California's 38th District. Her Los Angeles County-based district covers several cities in the Southeast and San Gabriel Valley areas including Norwalk, Pomona, Santa Fe Springs, La Puente, the City of Industry, Montebello, and Pico Rivera, plus the unincorporated communities of Avocado Heights, Hacienda Heights, West Puente Valley, and parts of Whittier, East Los Angeles, Rowland Heights, South San Gabriel, and Valinda. Napolitano made her way up through the ranks of Ford Motor Company for 21 years. Following her retirement in 1992, she was elected to the California Assembly, and emerged as a recognized leader on international trade, environmental protection, transportation and immigration. She quickly earned a reputation as a hard worker and champion for small business, women, economic expansion and job creation. In 1996 she requested and received the creation of the first new California State Assembly Standing Committee in nine years, the Committee on International Trade, which she chaired until being termed out in 1998. In her six years in the Assembly, she also served as chair of the Women 's Caucus and vice-chair of the Latino caucus.

Rep. Donald Payne

Donald M. Payne, a native of Newark, New Jersey, was elected to represent the 10th Congressional District of New Jersey in 1988 as New Jersey's first African American Congressman by an overwhelming majority and has been returned by a wide margin of the vote in each subsequent election. In 2006, he won election to his tenth term to represent the 10th District in the historic 110th Congress. A past Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, he is a member of the Democratic Whip Organization and has served as a member of the House Democratic Leadership Advisory Group. He formerly served on the powerful Democratic Steering Committee, whose membership determines each individual committee assignment for Democratic members and plays an active role in shaping the legislative agenda.

Rep. Adam Schiff

Congressman Adam B. Schiff represents California's 29th Congressional District, including the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, Glendale, Griffith Park, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena, and Temple City. During his tenure in Congress, Schiff has focused on bolstering national security, strengthening our communities, and introducing a "Kids First" agenda of initiatives to improve education, safety, and health care for our kids. Rep. Schiff has been a leader on national security efforts and has pushed for a broader strategy that emphasizes diplomacy, intelligence reform, and efforts to improve our nation's ability to stabilize countries to prevent future failed states from becoming havens for terrorists. He has pressed for the adoption of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission recommendations, cosponsoring a measure that implements the recommendations, which passed the House this year.

Rep. Robert Wexler

Robert Wexler is a Democratic member of Congress serving his sixth term in the House of Representatives. He has earned a reputation as a straight-forward and articulate legislator who energetically advocates for his constituents. Wexler has been named one of the "50 Most Effective Legislators in Congress" by the influential magazine Congressional Quarterly and was named to the Forward 50 list as one of the most influential leaders in the American Jewish community. During his tenure in Congress, Wexler has authored numerous bills including the Honor Thy Parents Act, which proposed an inexpensive and comprehensive Medicare prescription drug benefit for seniors, and the Social Security Forever Act, which extended the life of the Social Security trust fund for future generations.