Biography of Congressman Al Green

U.S. Representative Al Green took the oath of office on January 4, 2005, to serve the people of Texas’ 9th Congressional District. As a veteran civil rights advocate, he has dedicated his life to fighting for those in society whose voices, too often, are not heard.

Congressman Green’s chief legislative priorities for the 109th Congress are protecting Social Security, improving health care, and enhancing economic opportunities for all. Within the House of Representatives, Green serves on the Financial Services and Science Committees. As a member of the Financial Services committee, he’s been actively working to eliminate insurance, housing and lender practices that have historically victimized low and moderate income communities. On July 4th, Congressman Green was successful in passing major legislation—a major feat for a freshman Member—that would increase funding to curb housing discrimination by 7.7 million dollars. Additionally, Green has secured over twelve million dollars to address Houston’s pervasive flood and transportation problems.

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Green’s parents taught him the importance of education and instilled in him the drive and determination to succeed. After attending Florida A&M University in 1971, he went on to attend Tuskegee Institute of Technology. In 1974, Congressman Green earned his law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, where he later served as an instructor.

After graduating from law school, Green co-founded and co-managed the law firm of Green, Wilson, Dewberry and Fitch. In 1977, he was elected Justice of the Peace, Precinct 7, Position 2, where he served for 26 years before retiring in 2004. Throughout his career, Green has earned the respect of his colleagues and a wide cross-section of community leaders who have praised his legal skills, impeccable character and innate ability to communicate skillfully with people of diverse backgrounds.

For nearly ten years, Green served as president of the Houston Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Under his leadership, the organization grew to unprecedented heights, increasing membership from 500 to 3,500, purchasing a new building and renovating the existing. Congressman Green would become known as an unwavering defender of equality and a champion of all people. In an effort to ensure that all Houstonians share in its growing economy, Green created the Houston Fair Share program, which encourages corporations to join with minority firms in joint ventures and to hire minority vendors. Green also co-founded the Black and Brown Coalition with Judge Armando Rodriguez, which brings together Houston’s African American and Hispanic communities to work on issues of common interest.

As a testament to his exceptional service to the community, and in recognition of his outstanding professional achievement and superior leadership ability, Green has received numerous awards. A few of those include: Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce, Distinguished Service Award, 1978; Black Heritage Society, Outstanding Leadership Award, 1981; and American Federation of Teachers, Citation for Service as a “Courageous Defender of Due Process for Educators,” 1983. On June 22, 1995, Green was honored for his outstanding accomplishments by the City of Houston with “Al Green Day.” Mayor Bob Lanier cited Green as a “vigorous spokesman for fairness, justice and equality for all,” and cited his “distinguished reputation for his ability to bring together people of different ethnic, political and social lives.”