Education:
JD, University of Memphis School Of Law, 1973
BA, Vanderbilt University, 1971.

Professional Experience:
Interim Judge, Shelby County General Sessions Court, 1980
Attorney
Legal Advisor, Memphis Police Department.

Political Experience:
Representative, United States House of Representatives, 2006-present
Senate Member, 93rd-103rd General Assemblies, 1982-2006
Delegate, Democratic National Convention, 1980, 1992, 2004
Platform Committee, Democratic National Convention, 2000
Shelby County Commissioner, 1978-1980
Vice-President/Delegate, Tennessee Constitutional Convention, 1977.

Organizations:
Memphis Zoological Council, Memphis Zoological Society 2001-present
Board of Directors, Circuit Playhouse, Incorporated, 1977-present
Memphis Redbirds Foundation, 1998-2003
Board of Trustees, Memphis College of Art, 1988-2002
Board of Directors, Memphis Zoological Society, 1988-2000
Presidential Search Committee, University of Memphis, 2000
Football Coach Search Committee, University of Memphis, 1994
Shelby County Legislative Delegation, 1988-1990
United States of America/Japan Study Mission, 1986
Shelby County Charter Commission, 1984
Center for Southern Folklore
Memphis Alzheimer's Association
Memphis Bar Association
Memphis/Shelby County Center City Commission
Memphis/Shelby County Sports Authority
Shelby County Bar
Tennessee Holocaust Commission.

Caucuses/Non-Legislative Committees:
Executive Committee Member, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), 1998-present
Chairman, Senate State and Local Government Committee, 1991-present
Commercial and Administrative Law
Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties
Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.

Committees:
Judiciary, Member
Subcommittee on Aviation, Member
Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, Chair
Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, Member
Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, Member
Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, Member
Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, Member
Transportation and Infrastructure, Member