André Carson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| André Carson | |
 Carson in 2008 |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office March 11, 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Julia Carson |
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| In office October 2007 – March 13, 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Patrice Abduallah |
| Succeeded by | Doris Minton-McNeill |
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| Born | October 16, 1974 Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Mariama Shaheed |
| Children | Salimah Carson |
| Residence | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Alma mater | Concordia University Wisconsin, Indiana Wesleyan University |
| Profession | Law enforcement officer |
| Religion | Muslim |
| Website | Congressman André Carson |
André D. Carson (born October 16, 1974) is the United States Representative for Indiana's 7th congressional district and the grandson of his predecessor, former U.S. Representative Julia Carson (1997–2007).[1][2] He is one of only two Muslims serving in the U.S. Congress (along with Keith Ellison) and is currently the youngest Democratic Member of Congress.
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[edit] Personal life
André Carson was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. At a young age, Carson's interest in public service was shaped by his grandmother, the late Congresswoman Julia Carson. Carson grew up in a rough neighborhood, and he credits that experience for shaping his policy views on issues like education, public safety and economic opportunity.
After going to Catholic school for a short time as a child and being raised as a Baptist by his grandmother, Carson converted to Islam in his teenage years. He was drawn to the faith because of its peaceful teachings and focus on helping others. [3]
Carson is married to Mariama Shaheed Carson, an award winning professional educator in the Pike Township School District. Together, they live with their daughter, Salimah, in Center Township in Indianapolis.
[edit] Education and professional experience
Carson attended Indianapolis Public Schools and is a graduate of Arsenal Technical High School. He went on to graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Management from Concordia University Wisconsin and a Master of Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Carson got his professional start as a law enforcement officer, serving as an investigator for the Indiana State Excise Police for nine years. He later joined the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and was detailed to an Intelligence Fusion Center, supervising an anti-terrorism unit.
Following his career in law enforcement, Carson was a marketing specialist for Cripe Architects + Engineers in Indianapolis. [3]
[edit] Political career
Before being elected to public office, Carson was a Democratic Party Committeeperson in Indianapolis. In 2007, Carson won a special caucus of the Marion County Democratic Party to become the City-County Councilor for the 15th Council district of Indianapolis-Marion County. [3]
[edit] U.S. House of Representatives
In 2008, André Carson won the nominating caucus of the Marion County Democratic Party, giving him the Democratic nomination for the special election to succeed his late grandmother, Congresswoman Julia Carson.
During this election, he was endorsed by U.S. Senator Evan Bayh,[4], then-Senator Barack Obama, former Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson, Marion County Sheriff Frank J. Anderson, current Representative from Indiana's 8th district Brad Ellsworth,[5] and retired U.S. Congressman Andy Jacobs, Jr. U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) contributed $4,000 each from their own campaign funds and $10,000 each from their political action committees to the Carson campaign.[6]
Carson defeated Republican State Representative Jon Elrod and Libertarian Sean Shepard in the special election on March 11, 2008, securing 53% of the vote.[7]
Carson was re-elected in November 2008 to his first full term in Congress with 65% of the vote. Since that time, Carson's hometown newspaper, The Indianapolis Star has praised him for “going strong” in his first year in office, writing that Carson has "[proven] himself to be relentlessly positive and seriously hardworking." [8]
[edit] 2008 presidential election
In the 2008 Presidential Election, Carson endorsed Senator Barack Obama in April 2008, and later won Obama's endorsement for his own May 2008 Democratic primary battle. Carson was the first member of Indiana's Congressional Delegation to announce his support for then-candidate Obama.[9]
[edit] Caucus memberships
Carson is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, New Democrat Coalition and the Congressional Black Caucus.
Among others, he is also a member of the Congressional Automotive Caucus, Cancer Action Caucus, Children's Caucus, Climate Change Caucus, Human Rights Caucus, Labor and Working Families Caucus, Study Group on Public Health, Democratic Budget Group, LGBT Equality Caucus, Military Family Caucus and Renewable/Efficient Energy Caucus. He also serves as the Congressional Black Caucus liaison to the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (CBC Liaison) [10]
[edit] Committee assignments
[edit] Issues and positions
[edit] Economic recovery
On February 13, 2009, Carson voted to pass the H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a $787 billion economic stimulus package aimed at helping the economy recover from a deepening worldwide recession. This act included increased federal spending for health care, infrastructure, education, various tax breaks and incentives, and direct assistance to individuals. [11]
The ARRA has led to billions of dollars in investment in Carson's district, including grants to hire more police officers and save teaching jobs, and landmark investments in green technology that will create hundreds of new jobs. [12]
[edit] Education
Carson has stated his support for programs that improve teacher education and training, improve aging school infrastructure and increase access to affordable, secondary education. [13]
Carson is the author of H.R. 3147, the Young Adults Financial Literacy Act, which was introduced on July 9, 2009. This legislation establishes a grant program to fund partnerships between educational institutions aimed at providing financial literacy education to young adults and families.
On September 17, 2009, Carson voted to pass H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which will invest in the Pell Grant program and other student financial aid programs to make college more affordable. [11]
[edit] Energy and environment
Carson has supported investment in the development of new technologies that will reduce American dependence on foreign oil, create thousands of new jobs and begin to correct the adverse environmental effects of fossil fuels. Carson has opposed legislation to increase offshore drilling for oil or natural gas, instead promoting use of solar, wind, biofuel, biomass, and other renewable fuels. [14]
On June 26, 2009, Carson voted to pass H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which seeks to comprehensively address the effects of climate change by funding development of alternative energy technologies and implementing a cap and trade system. [11]
[edit] Health care reform
Carson is a strong supporter of health care reform legislation that increases access to medical care for millions of uninsured Americans and provides a more stable system for those at risk of losing their health insurance. On July 30, 2009, he signed a letter from the Congressional Progressive Caucus to House leadership, calling for a robust public option to be included in any health care reform bill.
He has opposed taxes both on the medical device industry and employer provided health insurance plans as a means to pay for health care reform. Instead, he has called for finding savings in the current health system by reducing waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicare system, as well as implementing a surcharge on the wealthiest Americans as a means to cover the costs of reform. He has also voiced his opposition for health care reform legislation that increases the deficit.[15]
On November 7, 2009, Carson voted to pass H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, the House version of legislation designed to reform the American health insurance industry. [11]
[edit] Iraq and Afghanistan
Carson believes that “American efforts to capture and kill al Qaeda terrorists have greatly diminished” because of the Iraq War. He has often stated his belief that al Qaeda and the Taliban pose the most imminent threat to the United States, and has pushed for a reduction of troops in Iraq to cover the needs of the War in Afghanistan. [16]
In August 2009, Carson visited American service members stationed in Iraq.
[edit] Housing
Citing a high foreclosure rate in Indianapolis, Carson has named foreclosure prevention and increased affordable housing to be among his top priorities. [17]
On May 7, 2009, Carson voted to pass the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2009, which regulates the mortgage lending industry by setting limits on types of loans offered to potential borrowers. Carson authored an amendment to this legislation that funded the distribution of information about foreclosure rescue scams through targeted mailings. [11]
[edit] Financial services
Carson has been a Member of the House Committee on Financial Services since taking office in 2008. During this time, the committee has focused on legislation addressing the American financial crisis that began in late 2007.
Carson voted to pass legislation enacting the Troubled Asset Relief Program on October 3, 2008. He has also voted to pass legislation increasing oversight over the Troubled Asset Relief Program, limiting executive pay, reforming sub-prime mortgage markets and regulating the financial industry. [11]
Carson was a cosponsor of H.R. 627, the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights, which sought to increase transparency and regulation in the credit card industry. This legislation was signed into law by President Obama on May 22, 2009. [11]
Carson has voiced his support for legislation creating a Consumer Financial Protection Agency and monitoring systemic risk in the financial sector. [18]
[edit] National security
Carson is the only Member of Congress to have served in a Department of Homeland Security Fusion Center. He has voted to increase appropriations funding for the Department of Homeland Security. [11]
[edit] Human rights
On July 24, 2008, Carson voted to pass the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act which provided aid to developing countries fighting high rates of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. He successfully included an amendment in this bill which created "a transatlantic, technological medium of exchange that allows African scientists and American medical professionals to collaborate on the best methods for treating and preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS on the African continent." [19]
[edit] Public safety
In 2009, Carson introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at reducing incidents of recidivism. The Recidivism Reduction Act aims to attack the cycle of recidivism by ensuring prompt access to federal supplemental security income and Medicaid benefits for ex-offenders reentering society and addressing the gap in mental health services (cite: Indy Star). The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act repeals federal laws that prevent drug felons from receiving TANF benefits. [20]
In 2008, Carson helped the City of Indianapolis secure a federal COPS grant to hire more police officers. The grant was awarded as part of the ARRA. [21]
[edit] Consumer protection
On June 26, 2009 Carson introduced the Jeremy Warriner Consumer Protection Act, which would require GM and Chrysler to carry liability insurance that would cover vehicles produced before they filed for bankruptcy in early 2009. (cite: thomas.loc.gov) The bill is named for Jeremy Warriner, an Indianapolis resident who lost his legs when his defective Chrysler vehicle caught fire during a car accident. [22]
[edit] Election history
| United States Representative from Indiana's 7th congressional district, 2008 (special) | ||||
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| Party | Candidate | Votes | Percentage | |
| Democratic | André Carson | 45,668 | 54.0% | |
| Republican | Jon Elrod | 36,415 | 43.1% | |
| Libertarian | Sean Shepard | 2,430 | 2.9% | |
| United States Representative from Indiana's 7th congressional district, 2008 | ||||
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| Party | Candidate | Votes | Percentage | |
| Democratic | André Carson | 172,650 | 65.1% | |
| Republican | Gabrielle Campo | 92,645 | 34.9% | |
| Republican | Delbert Suits (write in) | 4 | 0.0% | |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Indystar.com: Carson sworn in as congressman for 7th District
- ^ Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representative: 03/13/2008 Official lists were updated to reflect the addition of Rep. Carson, IN-07, to the rolls.
- ^ a b c About Congressman Andre Carson.
- ^ Sen. Bayh lends support to Andre Carson
- ^ Carson gets two endorsements
- ^ Carson Leading Elrod in Cash
- ^ Indystar.com: Carson wins seat in 7th District race
- ^ Indystar.com, A Year Into Office Congressman Carson is Going Strong.
- ^ Wishtv.com: Carson endorses Obama
- ^ Congressman André Carson: Caucus, Coalition and Taskforce Memberships
- ^ a b c d e f g h U.S. House of Representatives Roll Call Votes 111th Congress, 1st Session (2009).
- ^ Recovery.gov: Where is the Money Going?
- ^ Congressman André Carson: Education
- ^ Congressman André Carson: Energy
- ^ Congressman André Carson: Online Health Care Forum
- ^ Congressman André Carson: Iraq and Afghanistan
- ^ Congressman André Carson: Housing
- ^ Congressman André Carson: Carson Votes to Establish Consumer Financial Protection Agency
- ^ Congressman André Carson: Foreign Affairs
- ^ Congressman André Carson: Keeping Communities Safe Means Stopping the Revolving Door of Prison
- ^ Congressman André Carson: Indy Secures COPS Grant Worth $11 Million
- ^ Congressman André Carson: Nation Benefits From a Stronger GM, But Consumers Must be Protected in Process
[edit] External links
- Congressman André Carson official U.S. House site
- André Carson for Congress official campaign website
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
| United States House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by Julia Carson |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 7th congressional district 2008 – present |
Incumbent |
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