Robert
C. "Bobby" Scott is a member of the United States House of Representatives from
Virginia and the state's first African-American congressman since Reconstruction.
He represents the Third Congressional District which includes portions of 16
cities and counties from Hampton Roads to Richmond, including parts of the Middle
Peninsula and Virginia's Northern Neck.
Congressman Scott credits
both of his parents with being the most important influence on his growth and
development as a compassionate human being. This is especially true of his father,
Dr. C. Waldo Scott, from whom he learned the importance of education and dedication
to one's duty.
Congressman Scott was born
in Washington, D.C. and educated in Newport News, Virginia. He received his
undergraduate degree from Harvard University in 1969 and his law degree from
Boston College Law School in 1973.
After serving in the Massachusetts
National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserves, he returned to Newport News, established
a law practice and entered politics.
Scott served in the Virginia
House of Delegates from 1978 to 1983 and served in the Virginia State Senate
from 1983 to 1992. He was elected to Congress in 1992, by 79 percent of the
votes cast.
In the U.S. House of Representatives,
he serves on the Judiciary, Science and Technology, Education and Labor, and
the Post Secondary Education and Training Committees as well as several sub-committees.
Throughout his political
career, Congressman Scott has worked unceasingly to make laws that respond to
human needs. For him, the most critical issues are health care, education, employment,
crime prevention and consumer protection, and he has introduced legislation
to help address problems in these areas. An example of his beliefs in action
occurred when he successfully and courageously joined the fight to ban 19 assault
style weapons.
Responding to those groups
and individuals who declared that this low would do little to solve the problem
of crime in America, Congressman Scott agreed that the problem was too big and
that one law could not do it. "But," he said, "it will make a difference." Expressing
dismay and disbelief, he concluded by saying, "I don't understand those who
voted no because these weapons are only used for killing people."
