Abstract In this essay, the writer provides a short look at Congressman Lloyd Doggett. This writer discusses the Congressman's re-election campaign of the newly created 25th Congressional District in Texas. The writer also makes reference to the very impoverished area of the Rio Grande Valley that is included in the congressional area.
From the Paper "When the leaves turn and fall there is a chill in the air and Americans pull levers, mark boxes or even punch those notorious chads, it means it is election time. Each November, Americans to come together in the democratic process, to determine a new set of representatives who will govern the nation from local counties right up to the White House. It is one thing to talk about the political process each ... "
Tags: 2004 election, 25th Congressional District, Texas, Lloyd Doggett, Rio Grande Valley
Abstract The paper discusses Congressman Chet Edwards who has served in the House of Representatives and currently represents the 17th Congressional District in Texas. The writer examines Edwards' voting records and considers Edwards a middle-of-the-road, conservative democrat. The paper demonstrates that Edwards' voting record reflects the demographics of the region which is ethnically diverse, rooted in traditional industries like transportation and agriculture, and also boasts a substantial number of young college-age voters who tend toward liberalism. The paper concludes that Congressman Chet Edwards' narrow win in the last election, could explain his shift in recent voting behavior on liberal issues.
From the Paper "Edwards' pro-labor voting record also coincides with Democratic Party values. Congressman Edwards has slipped slightly in his accordance with the liberal values espoused by Americans for Democratic Action but generally can be considered an emblematic democrat. However, Edwards' record on environmental issues shows that he veers far from left-leaning democrats regarding the conflict between certain sectors of business (energy and construction for example) and environmental protection."
Abstract This paper explains that Montgomery,a veteran of WWII and the Korean War and who was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, was a congressman who represented Mississippi's Third District in the U.S. House of Representatives for fifteen terms. The author points out that Montgomery cites, as his proudest accomplishment, the Montgomery G.I. Bill that reformed the original 1947 GI Bill and extended a free college education to America's soldiers in the nation's all-volunteer service; thus, a new breed and brand of college graduate was created. The paper relates that, despite Montgomery's subsequent conservative agenda, he possessed a strong sense of liberalism, supporting extended benefits for those deserving men and women of society who wanted opportunities to better themselves.
From the Paper "During his congressional experiences, Montgomery saw seven presidents come and go. Over the course of his autobiographical work, Montgomery comments on the Presidents he knew. He calls Richard Nixon unpredictable and emotional, but Nixon's vice-president and subsequent successor, Gerald Ford, kind and easy to know. This marks Ford in direct contrast to fellow Southern Democrat Jimmy Carter, whom Montgomery never seemed to really "bond" with, unlike the senior Republican Texan George W. "Pappy" Bush, with whom Montgomery enjoyed a congenial rapport. In fact, although a Democrat, like many Southern "Dixie-crats" Montgomery seemed to feel most comfortable with Ronald Reagan's terms in office."
Abstract This paper analyzes the political makeup of a U.S. congressman or
congresswoman. There are many aspects surrounding the career of a congress-person, most of which the public is generally unaware of. The writer of this paper delves into the rarely spoken qualifications needed to obtain the support of a particular party which include: Financial backing, proper education, desirable religious beliefs, race and age. This paper details the daily life of a congress-person which is extremely demanding. If the representative is truly honest and qualified, it may be even more difficult than for those representatives who are simply going with the flow of the system. The writer of this paper also discusses the lack of black or Hispanic members in the House of Representatives as well as the Senate. This paper also examines the impact of the media on the effectiveness of elected government officials.
Table of Contents:
Outline
Congress Does Not at all Represent the American Population
Requirements of a Congressperson
Some Congressmen and Congresswomen are Genuine
Thesis
A Look at Congress
Footnotes
Works Cited
From the Paper "Some of the requirements of congresspersons make logical sense for the profession, while others simply do not. Sufficient political experience is a sensible requirement of a candidate, but it must be weighed with the cost of electing representatives that are past their prime, bought into the status-quo, disillusioned, or even senile. One journalist described witnessing congressmen who were obviously too old to be competent in this job. The WASP requirements of congressmen are illogical in this desegregated, supposedly enlightened post-suffrage and civil rights era; one's gender, ethnicity, and religion have little or nothing to do with how well one can perform in Congress, apart from the fact that each representative will have to overcome all of the prejudices held against them."
Abstract This paper presents a biography of Confederate Congressman Warren Akin, from his birth to his marriage, to the birth of his children and, finally, to his death. The paper attempts to shed some light on the true thoughts and intentions of this man whose legacy is still felt in Northern Georgia over one hundred years after his death.
From the Paper "Warren Akin is the son of Thomas and Catherine Bell Akin who migrated to Georgia from Virginia before 1800. He was born in Elbert County, Georgia on October 9, 1811, the youngest of ten children. He attended public schools in Elbert County and at age eighteen he moved to Walton County and attended his last term of schooling there. While living there he worked at a local store in Monroe and while clerking he heard about a gold rush in Dahlonega, he promptly left his parent's home to work in the gold fields. While mining in the gold fields he found two gold nuggets that he would later bequeath to his two youngest children, in the near future however, he would put them up for collateral to finance the purchase of his law firm."
Abstract The paper describes Jefferson Davis' background and his positions as U.S. senator, Congressman and President of the Confederacy. The paper looks at a work he authored and goes on to depict how Davis was captured and imprisoned after the surrender of General Lee. The paper discusses his last years and his funeral and provides a quote from a tribute by a Reverend Gallaher.
Outline:
Introduction
Davis: Senator, Congressman and Confederate President
Davis: The Author
Davis: The Surrender
Davis: The Last Years
From the Paper "Jefferson Davis was born on June 3, 1808 in Kentucky in Todd County, formerly Christian County, Kentucky. Davis was educated at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky and attended the U.S. Military Academy graduating in 1828. David fought in the Mexican War at Monterrey and Buena Visa and was wounded. David retired from the army in 1835 due to health problems. In the same year Jefferson Davis married Miss Sallie Taylor whose father was Zachary Taylor however, Sally died only three months following their wedding. (Alward, nd) After Sallie died, David purchased a cotton plantation complete with slaves working the field and was a successful plantation cotton farmer. In 1845, David married again, this time to Miss Varina Howell. (Alward, nd) Davis was both a devoted father and husband."
Abstract This paper discusses the 2000 presidential election where candidates incorporated religious beliefs into their campaigns. As a result, religious groups strongly supported a specific candidate. Religion and the influence of religious groups are making a larger impact on which candidates are elected. This paper shows how they are making an impact on the issues that are supported during the candidate's term.
From the Paper "The 2000 presidential election was rich with a mix of politics and religious beliefs. Since then President Bush and other elected officials have continued to make statements that bring religion into politics. With Bush making statements such as we are on a "crusade" against terrorism and actions such as trying to get government funding for religious groups has changed the political scene."
Abstract This paper is in the form of a letter from an anonymous parent to their local congressman arguing for tougher laws prohibiting teacher-student sex. It is an opinion piece which lays out a clear and logical argument that is supported by research and evidence from newspaper and on-line articles about disastrous cases of teacher-student sex.
From the Paper "Every day in this country, from the biggest cities to the smallest towns, our sons and daughters are being raped. Their assailants are not using brute force or employing weapons to get them to submit. They don't have to - for these criminals are already in a special position of power and authority over our children - they are their teachers. Entrusted by our community to educate, mentor, coach, and guide our children, some of these individuals misuse that trust for their own immoral and illegal ends. They are predators, who engage in illegal sexual acts with our children. Consent is not the issue here; with the crime of statutory rape it is the age difference and adult vs. minor distinction that lies at issue. This crime has devastating emotional and psychological effects on its victims and the community as a whole. There is also a financial burden on the community, specifically with regard to our public school systems. This crime can no longer to continue to go on unabated and unchecked. You must act now to introduce and pass legislation that will amend current statutory rape laws to include a specific proviso banning teacher - student sex. This is a crime that is akin to child molestation, one of our most abhorred crimes, and it should be treated as such. The penalties for teacher-student statutory rape should be harsh enough to send a strong message to these criminals that such acts will not be tolerated in our society any longer."
An examination of the role of the Washington congressman in the passage of the law restricting immigration. Includes his life and career, provisions, racial philosophies and economics.
3,375 words (approx. 13.5 pages), 25 sources, 1994, $ 119.95
From the Paper "Albert Johnson and Immigration Act of 1924
This paper will discuss the role of Albert Johnson, a congressman from the state of Washington from 1912 to 1932, in the formulation and passage of the Immigration Act of 1924. The first part of the paper will briefly examine the life of Johnson, up through the time he was elected to Congress. The second part of the paper will discuss the background to the racial philosophy behind the immigration laws passed in the early 1920s. The third part of the paper will discuss the passage of the laws themselves, concentrating upon the passage of the Immigration Act of 1924.
Albert Johnson was born in 1869 in Springfield, Illinois. Soon after his birth, his parents moved to Hiawatha, Kansas, where his father farmed and ran unsuccessfully for district judge. "
Abstract When Congressman J.D Hayworth of the Republican party lost his campaign to fellow-Republican Deborah Pryce, he believed that it was due to the fact that her campaign was helped by the Democrats electing another woman, Nancy Pelosi as their leader and her nomination as the first woman Speaker nominee. This paper questions whether unqualified minorities are unfairly promoted over more qualified majorities in the House Republican Party to try to promote an image of diversity. It questions too whether Pryce really more qualified to be the Republican Conference Chairman then Hayworth or others. By creating a baseline for how a member of Congress could rise into a House Leadership post, this paper examines how minority Republican and Democratic members of leadership have been elected into leadership, with a special focus on comparing Pryce and Pelosi. This analysis also proves that while minority Republicans are encouraged more often than non-minorities to run for a leadership post, a majority of the time the minorities that are elected are qualified for their posts.
From the Paper "Hoops? guidelines can generate an effective roadmap for any Member of Congress that is interested in becoming a leader among leaders, but it can also serve as a tool of analysis. Six out of the seven Members of Congress that were examined in this thesis fit Hoops? guidelines and were or are successful leaders in the House. The only one did not fulfill these criteria, Watts, was an unscuessful leader. The elections of Nancy Pelosi as the House Democratic Minority Leader and Deborah Pryce as the House Republican Conference Chairman were not because of their gender, but because of their qualifications. Their elections may have been historic, but they were well earned, thus it can be concluded that while the House Republican Party has at times attempted to promote minorities over majorities, these minority candidates are just a qualified if not more qualified than their majority counterparts to leader. This conclusion is proven and supported by Hoops? guidelines."
Abstract This paper provides background information on the political character of Mark Foley, describes the demographics of his district and how effectively Foley is able to respond to his constituency, looks at his political acumen and policies he has supported, and outlines his voting pattern. The paper also presents a brief biography on Foley, looks at his political career, his legislation, elections, and his detractors. Additionally, the paper discusses the rumors of Foley's homosexuality and if they have affected his political career.
From the Paper "I chose U.S. Congressman Mark Foley for several reasons. First of all, I selected a congressman from Florida because all eyes will be on Florida leading to ? and immediately following ? the Presidential Election of 2004. In Florida during the last presidential election, there were myriad of highly publicized instances of malfunctioning voting machines ? featuring archaic, out-dated "card-type" voter ballots which produced those notorious "hanging chads" and other blatant discrepancies. Additionally, news reports indicated that thousands of people ? many of them voters of color in South Florida ? were turned away from the polls in November, 2000, because of incompetence, corruption, misinformation on the part of ill-trained precinct administrators and staff."
Abstract This paper examines the relationship between Sam Houston, U.S. congressman and governor of Tennessee and the Cherokee Tribe. The paper examines how Houston influenced the the rights of the Native Americans and took their side when other Texas and national leaders would have banished them westward, or worse, had them exterminated. The paper argues that Houston was not merely seeking political support in trying to reach out to these Native Americans.
From the Paper "Although, today, many of Houston's prime initiatives to help the Native Americans have been pushed through the loop hole into the endless depths of Congressional lobbying, his influence is still felt through his mannerisms of treating those who are different. An ideology of tolerance may have evolved before Sam Houston, but the main importance of Houston's tolerance stemmed for those who were originally inhibiting the Americas in the beginning. Today, we as "invaders" of the Americas can finally realize our wrongs and our vices in dealing with the Native American heritage because of people like Houston."
Abstract This paper examines former Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, John Marshall. The paper discusses Marshall's many career accomplishments, including army officer, lawyer, delegate, foreign minister, congressman and Secretary of State. The paper also details Marshall's appointment to the Supreme Court bench by President John Adams and his many watershed rulings, such as "Marbury vs. Madison", "McCulloch vs. Maryland" and "Dartmouth College vs. Woodward". The paper then investigates Marshall's contributions to federalism and the opposition he encountered from U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson. The paper concludes that Marshall was truly one of the nation's founding fathers, with wide-reaching, long-lasting influence on American political life.
From the Paper "Born the son of Thomas Marshall, a successful planter in the newly formed frontier county of Fauquier, John Marshall received a limited education. His formal education consisted of a year spent at the school of Reverend Archibold Campbell and as a student under a Scottish tutor. He read the works of Horace and Livy, as well as the traditional classics. During the outbreak of the war for independence, Marshall served many different posts. In this time period of his life, he gained the gentlemanly qualities necessary for a career politician. Near the end of the war, Marshall continued his education at William and Mary where he studied law briefly. He was granted a law license in 1780. From this point on, Marshall embarked on a storied political career. His ambition and loyalty eventually carried him to the top of the judicial branch of government."
Abstract This paper analyzes Lyndon Johnson's unique path to power and the presidency. The writer of this paper details the highlights in Johnson's personal life as well as his political career. Johnson was born on August 27, 1908 in Stonewall, Texas and established himself in politics from an early age, by becoming secretary in 1931 to Congressman Richard M. Kleberg. The writer of this paper delves into Johnson's lengthy political career up until and including the events that led to his presidency upon John F. Kennedy's assassination. This paper details several events in Johnson's career which changed the face of politics forever, including his 1964 groundbreaking civil rights legislation. The writer contends that in spite of all the progress Johnson made in the area of civil rights, his legacy will be forever overshadowed by the Vietnam War. This paper examines the events that led Johnson's decisions regarding the Vietnam conflict which resulted in thousands of American deaths. This paper also delves into Johnson's actions which prompted legislation that placed limits on the power of the presidency.
From the Paper "In spite of all the progress Johnson made in the area of civil rights, his legacy will be forever overshadowed by Vietnam. Less than three weeks after the Republican National Convention of 1964, the United States Navy was attacked by patrol boats belonging to North Vietnam, in the Gulf of Tonkin. Johnson, not wanting to appear weak on defense, felt he had little choice but to respond forcibly. The result was a consistent escalation of the war from 1964 through 1968, which resulted in thousands of American deaths. Johnson was afraid that too much focus on Vietnam would distract attention from his Great Society programs, so the levels of military escalation, while significant, were never enough to make any real headway in the war."
Tags: history, american, vietnam, lbj, lady, bird, career, political
Abstract This paper explains that, although Article 1, Section 2 and 3, of the constitution sets out the length of the term of office of a member of the House of Representatives and of the Senate, it does not say how many terms a member may have; given their distrust of the legislative branch of government and their suspicions of government in general, it is very likely that the intention of the framers was to have a congressman serve his term and return to his civilian occupation not to become a professional politician as is the case today. The author points out that the framers of the constitution intended for the judicial branch to act as a check on the power of the other two branches; they did not anticipate that the judicial branch would take it upon themselves to legislate from the bench. The paper stresses that the Electoral College is a cumbersome situation, currently giving some states little or no decision in the outcome, and should be replaced with election by popular vote.
From the Paper "Section 1 of Article 3 of the Constitution states that, "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish." Nowhere in this entire article does it spell out the power of the courts to declare laws of the legislature unconstitutional. It may be that the Framers intended for the courts to have this power, but they did not explicitly provide for it. "There is little doubt that the Framers intended the Supreme Court to have the power to declare state legislation unconstitutional, but whether they intended to give it the same power over national legislation is not clear.""
