A Representative from Florida; born in Jacksonville, St. John County, Fla., November 11, 1946; B.S., Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, Fla., 1969; M.A., Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, Fla., 1971; Ed.S., University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla., 1974; faculty, University of Florida, Edward Waters College, and Florida Community College, Jacksonville; member of the Florida state house of representatives, 1983-1993; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Third and to the ten succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1993-present).