Posted February 7, 2008 -- Congresswoman MAXINE WATERS is a force of nature – and the face of what’s good and right in government. Currently serving her ninth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Waters sits on two committees and numerous subcommittees and has frequently been on the front line of difficult and controversial issues.
Prior to her run in the House, the fierce politician spent 14 years in the California State Assembly, where she pushed bold legislation, including the nation’s first statewide child abuse-prevention training program. Waters has long been a strong advocate for legislation that protects the environment and promotes justice and peace worldwide. She has used her considerable clout to shape public policy that tackles poverty, strengthens economic development in communities of color and supports women and children.
She has fought for adequate health care, developing the Minority AIDS Initiative in 1998, and established the Out of Iraq Congressional Caucus in 2005, urging the return of U.S. service men and women to their families. Waters won her ninth term in 2006 with an overwhelming 80 percent of the votes in her district, largely because of her reputation as a fearless and outspoken advocate for her constituents. It is for this same reputation that BET bestows the 2008 “BET HONORS” award for Public Service to this congresswoman from California.