Maxine Waters

Congresswoman Maxine Waters has represented California in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1991 (102nd Congress-Present). Waters made history as the first woman and first African American chair of the House Financial Services Committee. A key figure in Congressional Democratic Leadership, Waters serves as a Steering & Policy Committee member. She is the co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease. As chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, Waters fought tirelessly to mitigate foreclosures and keep American families in their homes during the housing and economic crises. Through two infusions of funds, Waters secured $6 billion for the effort. Waters is also committed to improving health care. She is the author of legislation to expand health services for patients with cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. Walters spearheaded the development of the Minority AIDS Initiative in 1998 to address the alarming spread of HIV/AIDS among African Americans, Hispanics, and other minorities. Under her leadership, funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative has increased from the initial appropriation of $156 million in 1999 to approximately $400 million per year today. Before her tenure in Congress, she was a member of the California State Assembly. She has been an outspoken advocate for peace, justice, and human rights. Waters received a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Los Angeles.