MAXINE WATERS definitely has a Texas connection, insofar as Houstonians got an up
close and personal look at her at Ross Mortuary, 3618 Lyons Avenue, in the heart of Fifth
Ward during the homegoing services of Jessie Smith (nee Elijah Williams), her 101-year-old
father-in-law. Waters is married to Sidney Williams, a former U.S. Ambassador to the
Commonwealth of the Bahamas, who starred in football at Phillis Wheatley High School and
Southern University in Baton Rouge, La.
They are the proud parents of two children, Edward and Karen and two grandchildren. Yet,
to truly appreciate the fiery Waters, who is serving her 5th term in the United States
House of Representatives 35th Congressional District, one must see and hear her debate
issues germane to African-Americans' human rights.
Unfortunately, Waters hasn't been afforded many opportunities to espouse her views on the
nation's mainstream media lately, insofar as she has become somewhat of a political pariah
for openly attacking a racist government. And for that reason, those who tuned into Tavis
Smiley's May 9, 2002 radio talk show (aired from 7-8 a.m.-- on KTSU/90.9 FM-- Monday thru
Friday) got a rare treat when she expressed her views about what she terms "predatory
loans."
Listening to Waters intellectually beat up a fellow Congressman, it's understandable why
she is considered by many to be one of the most powerful women in American politics today
and why she has gained a reputation as a fearless and outspoken advocate for women,
children, people of color and poor people. Elected in November 1998 to her fifth term in
the Houston of Representatives with an overwhelming 89 percent of the votes in the 35th
District of California, Congresswoman Waters represents a large part of South Central Los
Angeles and the diverse cities of Gardenia, Hawthorne and Inglewood.
From 1997-98, Rep. Waters served a two-year term as Chair of the 39-member Congressional
Black Caucus (CBC). She formulated the comprehensive Agenda for Black America-an agenda
for justice, equality and fairness- which outlined CBC's legislative and programmatic
priorities.
Those initiatives included a commitment to drug-free, safe and healthy communities;
educational and technological opportunities; and job creation and economic development.
The priorities also encompassed voting and civil rights; environmental justice; the
protection of the most vulnerable Americans; and the promotion of opportunities for all
Americans. For the 106th Congress, Rep. Waters has been appointed to the influential
leadership position of Chief Deputy Whip of the Democratic Party.
She also continues to be a member of the House Committee on Banking and Financial
Services. Waters is the Ranking Member of the Domestic and International Monetary Policy
Subcommittee and is also on banking subcommittees on General Oversight and Investigations
and on Housing and Community Opportunity.
Consequently she pledged that she would expose "outlaws" and "thieves"
in the banking industry on the Smiley show.
Meanwhile, Waters continues to serve on the Committee on the Judiciary and its
Subcommittee on the Constitution. During the House impeachment proceedings, Congresswoman
Waters was an outspoken advocate for fairness.
On a whole range of issues-economic development and police brutality, the "war on
drugs," veterans' concerns, women's rights and children's well being-she is found on
the cutting edge.
Following the civil unrest in Los Angeles in April 1992, she faced the nation's media and
the public to interpret the hopelessness and despair in the cities across America.
Highlighted on ABC-TV World News Tonight as a "person of the week" for her part
in the debate about the unrest, she was described by Peter Jennings as "a woman who
simply will not go unheard."
As Waters confronts the Republican-controlled Congress on issues such as poverty, economic
development, and equal justice under the law and other issues of concern to people of
color, women, children, and poor people, she enjoys a broad cross section of support from
diverse communities across the nation.
Her strong legislative background and high visibility in Democratic Party activities are
coupled with an unusual ability to do grassroots organizing.
She is co-founder of Black Women's Forum, a nonprofit organization of over 1,200
African-American women in the Los Angeles area.
While in the State Assembly, she founded Project Build, working with young people in Los
Angeles housing projects on job training and placement.
Following the 1992 civil unrest she founded Community Build, the city's grassroots
rebuilding project.
Waters was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the fifth of 13 children reared by a single
mother. She began working at age 13 in factories and segregated restaurants.
After moving to Los Angeles, she worked in garment factories and at the telephone company.
Nevertheless, she attended California State University at Los Angeles and earned a
Bachelor of Arts Degree.
She began her career in public service as a teacher and a volunteer coordinator in the
Head Start program.
Waters took part in many political campaigns, leafleting, and knocking on doors. She later
became the chief deputy to a Los Angeles city councilman before being elected to the
California State Assembly in 1976.
And the rest is ongoing history. |
