William Jennings Jefferson

A Representative from Louisiana; born in Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La., March 14, 1947; G.W. Griffin High School, Lake Providence, La.; B.A., Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, Baton Rouge, La., 1969; J.D., Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., 1972; lawyer, private practice; law clerk for United States District Judge Alvin B. Rubin, Eastern District of Louisiana, 1972-1973; legislative assistant to United States Senator J. Bennett Johnston of Louisiana, 1973-1975; member of the Louisiana state senate, 1979-1990; candidate for mayor of New Orleans in 1982 and 1986; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Second and to the eight succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1991-present).