Henry A. Waxman

Henry A. Waxman, born in 1939, Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from California since 1975. Born in Los Angeles, California, Waxman was raised above his family’s store in the Watts neighborhood. He attended the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), earning a bachelor’s degree in 1961 and a law degree in 1964. He practiced as an attorney from 1965 to 1968. Waxman was elected in 1968 to the California Assembly, serving six years and chairing the assembly’s redistricting committee from 1971 to 1972. In 1974 Waxman won the race for the U.S. House seat in California’s 24th Congressional District.

Waxman is known for his liberal views. He has supported a woman’s right to abortion, advocated for universal health care, and worked to protect the nation’s environment. He sponsored legislation to educate children about the dangers of tobacco and to strengthen the Clean Air Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act. After redistricting that occurred in 2002, Waxman has represented the 30th Congressional District.