A Representative from Texas; born in Houston, Harris County, Tex., October 17, 1947; graduated from Jefferson Davis High School, Houston, Tex., 1967; B.B.A., University of Houston, Houston, Tex., 1971; attended University of Houston, Bates College of Law, Houston, Tex., 1973-1977; lawyer, private practice; business executive; member of the Texas state house of representatives, 1973-1985; member of the Texas state senate, 1985-1993; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Third and to the ten succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1993-present); chair, Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (One Hundred Tenth Congress).