Congresswoman Watson represents California’s 33rd District. Watson’s lifetime commitment to education stems from her involvement in the Los Angeles public schools, where she served as an elementary school teacher and school psychologist. In 1975, Watson became the first African-American woman to be elected to the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education.

In 1978, she was elected to the California State Senate where she was chosen to chair, from 1981 to 1998, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

During her tenure in the California State Senate, Watson became a statewide and national advocate for health care, consumer protection, women, and children. Among her many successes, in 1993, she authored the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program Act, which led to pioneering research into the causes of birth defects.

Watson also played a major role in formulating the State's TANF program, which provides education, childcare, and employment to welfare recipients. She sought funding to help teen mothers complete their education and gain jobs through the Cal-Learn program.

In 1999, President Clinton appointed Watson the United States Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia. She worked in this capacity until 2001 when she returned to California to run for Congress in a special election held after the death of Congressman Julian Dixon. She was reelected in 2002 to a full two-year term and has served in each succeeding Congress.

Watson is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and serves on the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health and the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment. She is also a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and its Subcommittee on Domestic Policy. In addition, Watson is Chair of the Congressional Entertainment Industries Caucus and co-chairs the Congressional Korea Caucus and the U.S.-UK Caucus.

Watson received a B.A. in education from UCLA, and an M.A. in school psychology from California State University, Los Angeles. In 1987, she earned her Ph.D. in education from Claremont Graduate University.

A dedicated alumna, Watson has hosted several receptions for the University in Washington, D.C. Last spring, she delivered the keynote address at the University’s minority mentor program conference.

Dr. Maldonado is a loyal alumnus and member of the board of visitors of the School of Politics and Economics at Claremont Graduate University. His distinguished career in law enforcement and public service includes 10 years as an Air Force intelligence specialist and three decades with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, where he achieved the rank of captain and was honored with the Department’s Exemplary Service Award.

A highly respected expert in the field of law enforcement, Maldonado has served as a consultant for law enforcement agencies throughout the nation. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in the University of California and California State University systems and is currently an adjunct professor in the College of Business and Public Management at University of La Verne.

A dedicated supporter of the university, Maldonado and his wife, Mary, recently established the Ernest M. and Mary J. Maldonado Endowed Fellowship in the School of Politics and Economics. This fellowship enables students to pursue studies toward careers in government.

Maldonado is a member of the FBI National Academy Associates, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Los Angeles County Peace Officers Association. He is past president and vice president of the Los Angeles County Hispanic Manager’s Association, and served on the board of directors of the Los Angeles County United Way – Government Affairs Council.