Congresswoman Barbara Jean Lee, born in El Paso, Texas, graduated from high school in San Fernando, California. She was first elected a Democrat from California's 13th (then 9th) district to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998. She is a member of the Budget Committee and the Appropriations Committee, where she serves on three subcommittees—State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs; Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies; and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. She is the former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and is co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. She earned a bachelor's degree from Mills College and a master's degree in social work from the University of California, Berkeley. Her career before election to Congress included working for Congressman Ron Dellums (D-CA) and founding and running her own business. She also served in the California State Assembly and Senate. She has written two books: Renegade for Peace and Justice: Congresswoman Barbara Lee Speaks for Me (2008) and Legacy of Time (2007).
