CA's 5th Congressional District: Clockwise from Left: Tower Bridge, downtown Sacramento, Old Sacramento Waterfront, California State Capitol, Crest Theatre, & the UC Davis Medical Center
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The Honorable Doris O. Matsui
 
On March 10th, 2005, Doris Matsui was sworn in as the Member of Congress to represent California’s Fifth Congressional District.  Congresswoman Matsui was elected to the seat in a special election on March 8th, in which she won over 68% of the vote.
 
Congresswoman Matsui is focused on fighting for the “right priorities” in Washington, including expanding access to health insurance, protecting Social Security, lowering the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs, and restoring balance to the federal government’s approach to stem cell research, which is presently stymieing the search for cures for a number of debilitating illnesses.  Her first week in Congress, Congresswoman Matsui signed on as a co-sponsor of bipartisan legislation to expand the number of stem cell lines available for this vital research.  Since lending her support to that first bill, she has worked to bring Sacramento’s voice to legislation focusing on reducing prescription drug prices, expanding access to affordable health care, balancing national security needs with civil liberties, and implementing good government policies.
 
And as a member of the Rules Committee, she plays a role in setting the terms for debate on amendments and legislation before it reaches the full House of Representatives for a vote.  When the Rules Committee took up the Energy Bill earlier this year, Congresswoman Matsui argued strongly on behalf of the residents of Sacramento and their three water wells to allow an amendment to address the amnesty the Energy bill gives to MTBE polluters.  The dynamic debate in the committee to permit this amendment set the stage for an active discussion on the House floor.
 
Congresswoman Matsui also pledged to work to ensure that Washington remained responsive to Sacramento’s unique needs as a fast-growing, diverse cosmopolitan city.  Sacramento is the most at-risk river city in the nation, and she is working to secure the essential funding needed for these projects to help ensure Sacramento has the flood protection it deserves – already this year Sacramento is on track to receive record funding levels because of her efforts.
 
Congresswoman Matsui will also work to ensure that Sacramento’s increasing transportation infrastructure needs - from highway safety and traffic issues to increased access to public transit - are met at the federal level.
 
Prior to her election to Congress, Congresswoman Matsui served as a former White House official coordinating relationships between the public and private sectors to support the Clinton Administration’s economic and budget priorities.  She provided strong, steady leadership and a firm voice to ensure the needs of California were heard in the halls of the White House.
 
As an accomplished civic leader, Matsui has been a longtime participant and activist in local, national, and international affairs.   The Congresswoman has served as President and Board Chair of KVIE, Sacramento's public television station, and participated in numerous civic and philanthropic organizations, including the Crocker Art Museum, theSacramento Children's Home and the Junior League of Sacramento.
 
She has served as a member of the Meridian International Center Board of Trustees, an organization that works in conjunction with the United States Department of State to conduct professional international exchange programs between the United States and 140 nations. The Congresswoman has also served on the Woodrow Wilson Center Board of Trustees and the California Institute Board of Directors.
 
Congresswoman Matsui grew up in Dinuba, in California's Central Valley. She received a Bachelor's Degree from the University of California, Berkeley, where she met her husband, the late Congressman Bob Matsui.  The two were married 38 years prior to his death on January 1st, 2005.