Diane Watson



Diane Edith Watson, a Democrat, is a former U.S. Representative for the 33rd Congressional district of California, having served 2001 to 2011.

Iraq War
Watson voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

On April 25, 2007, Rep. Watson voted in favor of the conference bill of the Iraq supplemental spending measure, which included a timetable for troop withdrawal from Iraq. She had earlier voted against the House version of the bill. The conference bill passed the House 218-208.

Biography
Born November 12, 1933 in Los Angeles, California, Watson was educated at Los Angeles City College, the University of California, Los Angeles, California State University, Los Angeles, and Claremont Graduate University (PhD), and was a psychologist, a faculty member at California State University, a health occupation specialist with the Bureau of Industrial Education of the California Department of Education, a member of the California State Senate and United States Ambassador to Micronesia before entering the House.

Watson was elected to the House in 2000, and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Positions and views
In 1993, Watson authored the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program Act, which led to pioneering research into the causes of birth defects, and the Residential Care Facilities Act, to ensure that senior citizens receive quality care in nursing and assisted living homes.

Watson has opposed all tax cuts -- including those for the poor -- by saying that they are unaffordable. Diane Watson represents some wealthy areas such as Los Feliz.

2006 elections
No major candidates announced their intentions to contest Watson’s seat in the November 2006 election. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)

2010 elections
Watson retired and was replaced by Democrat Karen Bass.

Committees

 * House Committee on Foreign Affairs
 * Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations
 * Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
 * House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
 * Subcommittee on Domestic Policy

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Government Reform
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Resources - Ranking Minority Member
 * Subcommittee on Criminal Justice Drug Policy and Human Resources
 * House Committee on International Relations
 * Subcommittee on Africa Global Human Rights and International Operations
 * Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
 * Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation

Coalitions and caucuses

 * California Legislative Black Caucus
 * Vice Chair, National Council of State Legislators, Assembly on State Issues Committee

Boards and other affiliations

 * Member, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
 * California Elected Women for Education and Research
 * Commission on the Status of Women
 * Member, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
 * Social Services Board, National Commission to Prevent Infant Mortality
 * National Conference of State Legislators
 * President, National Organization of Black Elected Legislators
 * Member, Urban League
 * United Teachers Los Angeles

Articles and resources

 * Official website
 * Huffington Post blog articles by Rep. Watson
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Tiger Beat: Music, Culture, and Politics