Craig Anthony Washington

Congressman Craig Washington represented Texas’s 18th Congressional District from 1989, when he was elected to fill the vacancy created by the death of George T. (Mickey) Leland, until 1995 (101nd-103rd Congresses). During his tenure in Congress, he was active on the Education and Labor, Energy and Commerce, Government Operations, Judiciary committees, as well as the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control. Washington’s experience as a defense lawyer and a civil rights activist influenced his work on the Judiciary Committee. He was one of the more vocal opponents of the 1991 Civil Rights Bill, backed by President George H. W. Bush. Washington argued against the 1994 Omnibus Crime Bill, which he deemed overly punitive, calling for a greater focus on crime prevention. Washington was particularly concerned about trying juveniles as adults. Following his departure from Congress, Washington resumed practicing law. Washington graduated from Prairie View A&M University and attended Texas Southern University’s law school.