John Conyers
From dKosopedia
Categories: 110th Congress | Michigan Democrats
| John Conyers | |
|---|---|
| U.S. Representative – MI-14 | |
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| Party | Democratic |
| Assumed office January 4, 1965 | |
| Preceded by | Dennis Hertel |
| Committees | |
| Born | May 16, 1929 |
| Spouse | Monica Conyers |
| Religion | Baptist |
Congressman John Conyers, Jr., Democrat, represents the 14th Congressional District of Michigan and is the Chair of the House Committee on the Judiciary.
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Impeachment?
Dave Lindorff accuses Pelosi of "unconscionable strong-arm tactics to keep impeachment 'off the table' in the 110th Congress" and of silencing Judiciary Chair Conyers on the issue.
Background
Rep. Conyers was born on May 16, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan. Rep. Conyers was educated in Detroit's public school system and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1957 and a Doctor of Law degree at Wayne State University in 1958. [1]
Conyers served in the National Guard from 1948 - 1950; the United States Army, 1950 - 1954 and the United States Army Reserves, 1954 - 1957. His military service included being in combat in Korea. Rep. Conyers was a staff member for United States Representative John D. Dingell, Jr., of Michigan, from 1958 - 1961. [2]
The 14th Congressional District (map) includes all of Highland Park and Hamtramck, as well as parts of Detroit and Dearborn. Rep. Conyers has served since 1965 and is the second longest serving member of the House of Representatives, outranked only by fellow Michigan member John Dingell, Jr..
Conyers is a leading figure in the Democratic Party and the Congressional Black Caucus, and is currently Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. In 1971, he was one of the original members of Nixon's Enemies List.
According to the National Journal, Conyers has been considered, with Pete Stark, to be one of the most liberal members of Congress for many years.
Conyers appeared in Michael Moore's documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 discussing the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, stating that members of Congress "don't read most of the bills".
Conyers frequently posts at Daily Kos. Since May 2005 he's been a contributing blogger at The Huffington Post.
Conyers and ten other Congressmen, filed an action in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division, challenging the constitutionality of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. In simple terms the complaint alleged the bill was not afforded due consideration by the United States Congress before being signed by the President.[3] The action was subsequently dismissed on grounds of lack of standing.[4]
Committees
- Chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary
Caucuses
- One of the 13 founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus
Affiliations
Awards
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference Award, presented by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. [5] ~ date unknown
Legislation
- H.R. 676-110 — To provide for comprehensive health insurance coverage for all United States residents, and for other purposes.
- February 2, 2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Downing Street Memo
On May 5, 2005, Conyers and 88 other members of Congress wrote an open letter to the White House inquiring about a leaked memo which revealed an apparent secret agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom to attack Iraq in 2002. The Times, a British national newspaper, reported that newly-discovered documents reveal British and U.S. intentions to invade Iraq and leaders of the two countries had "discussed creating pretextual justifications for doing so". The documents go on to say that Blair decided the U.S. would need to "create" conditions to justify the war.
The memo story broke in the United Kingdom, but has not received much coverage in the United States, prompting Conyers to lament: "This should not be allowed to fall down the memory hole during wall-to-wall coverage of the Michael Jackson trial and a runaway bride."
CNN did pick up this story seven days after the letter was released. FOX News, as of this writing, has not covered the issue.
Conyers et. al are seriously considering sending a congressional investigation delegation to London. [6]
Letters/Articles from Rep. Conyers & the Judiciary Committee re: Downing Street Memo: [7]
- Text of Letter from Democratic Members to House Committee Chairmen Requesting Hearings to Investigate the Downing Street Minutes (6/30/05)
- Text of Letter from Democratic Members Concerning a Downing Street Minutes Freedom of Information Act Request (6/30/05)
- Text of Letter from Rep. Conyers to the Washington Post Concerning the Reporting of the "Downing Street Minutes" Democratic Hearing (6/17/05)
- Text of Follow-up Letter from Democratic Members Calling on the President to Answer Questions Concerning the "Secret Downing Street Memo" (6/15/05)
- Text of Letter from Rep. Conyers Concerning White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan's Newsweek Magazine Comments (5/17/05)
- Text of Letter from Democratic Members Calling on the President to Answer Questions Concerning the "Secret Downing Street Memo" (5/5/05)
Iraq War
Last Congress, Rep. Conyers voted against Joint House Resolution 114 which gave the President the authority to invade Iraq. Additionally, he signed on as a plaintiff to a lawsuit which asserted that the resolution was unconstitutional and therefore not valid, since the Constitution specifically designates that only Congress can declare war. Additionally, Rep. Conyers has spoken at anti-war demonstrations and written letters to the Administration asking that it meet with the Members of Congress who oppose the war. [8]
Letters/Articles from Rep. Conyers & the Judiciary Committee re: Iraq War [9]
CIA Leak, Plame Affair, Rovegate
Letters/Articles from Rep. Conyers & the Judiciary Committee re: Rovegate [10]
- Text of Letter from Several Judiciary Democratic Member to DOJ IG Glen Fine Requesting Investigation of DOJ Delay in CIA Leak Investigation (7/26/05)
- Text of Letter from Rep. Conyers to the President Seeking Assurance on Non-Use of Presidential Pardon in CIA Leak Investigation (7/25/05)
- Conyers Issues Downing Street/Rovegate Timeline: Last Throes of Credibility -- Five Years of Lies and Deception (7/22/05)
- Rep. Conyers Statement at the Senate Democratic Special Investigations Division of the Government Reform Committee and the Senate Democratic Policy Committee Oversight Hearing on National Security Consequences of Disclosing the Identity of a Covert Intelligence Officer (7/22/05)
- Conyers, Eight Members of Congress to Hold Town Hall Meetings Nationwide on Downing Street, Rovegate, and the Ongoing Deception in Iraq (7/15/05)
- Text of Letter from Reps. Frank and Conyers to CRS's American Law Division Requesting Opinion on the Impeachability of White House Staff (7/14/05)
- Text of letter Signed by Judiciary Ranking Member Conyers and 12 Other Democratic Committee Members to Chairman Sensenbrenner Requesting Hearing on Rove-Gate (7/14/05)
- Text of Letter Signed by 91 Members of Congress to the President Seeking Rove Explanation or Resignation (7/14/05
- 88 Members of Congress Call for Immediate Answers About Secret Bush/Blair Pre-War Deal (5/6/05)
- Text of Letter from Reps.Conyers and Slaughter to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald Concerning the Investigation of the CIA Memo Leak and Jeff Gannon's Journal (2/23/05)
- Text of Letter from Reps.Conyers and Slaughter Requesting GAO Comptroller Walker Include Jeff Gannon In Its CIA Leak Investigation (2/23/05)
- Text of Letter from Reps.Conyers and Slaughter to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge requesting FOIA Information on CIA Leak and Jeff Gannon (2/15/05)
- Text of Letter from Reps.Conyers and Slaughter to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald requesting Investigation of CIA Memo Leak (2/10/05)
- Text of Letter from Reps.Conyers and Waxman to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales Requesting the Recusal of Top Aides in CIA Leak Investigation (2/8/05)
GannonGate
Letters/Articles from Rep. Conyers & the Judiciary Committee re: Gannongate [11]
- Text of Letter from Reps. Conyers and Nadler Concerning the Secret Service's Background Check Policy (4/29/05)
- Rep. Conyers Judiciary Committee Markup Statement regarding H.Res. 136, GannonGate Resolution of Inquiry (3/16/05)
- Questions Remain as Secret Service Response to Congressional Gannon Inquiry Comes Back Incomplete (3/8/05)
- Reps. Slaughter, Conyers, Waxman, Rangel and Thompson Author Resolution of Inquiry on GannonGate (3/3/05)
- Dissenting Views - H. Res. 136, Directing the Attorney General and the Secreatary of HOmeland Security to transmit to the House of Representatives not later than 14 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution documents in the possession of those officials relating to the security investigations and background checks relating to granting access to the White House of James D. Guckert (also known as Jeff Gannon).
- Text of Letter from Reps.Conyers and Slaughter to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald Concerning the Investigation of the CIA Memo Leak and Jeff Gannon's Journal (2/23/05)
- Text of Letter from Reps.Conyers and Slaughter Requesting GAO Comptroller Walker Include Jeff Gannon In Its CIA Leak Investigation (2/23/05)
- Conyers and Slaughter Submit FOIA Request for Homeland Security Records Relating to James D. Guckert A.K.A. Jeff Gannon (2/15/05)
- Text of Letter from Reps.Conyers and Slaughter to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge requesting FOIA Information on CIA Leak and Jeff Gannon (2/15/05)
- Text of Letter from Reps.Conyers and Slaughter to Secret Service Director Ralph Basham Requesting Review of White House Press Room Security Policies (2/10/05)
Constitution Crisis
- Conyers released a monumental report, documenting the illegal and un-constitution actions of the Bush Administrition: The Constitution in Crisis.
Contact
Washington DC Office
2426 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5126
Fax: (202) 225-0072
Southgate Office
DCC Building
Suite 257
15100 Northline Road
Southgate, MI 48195
Phone: (734) 285-5624
Fax: (734) 285-5943
Detroit Office
669 Federal Building
231 W. Lafayette
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 961-5670
Fax: (313) 226-2085
Email: John Conyers
Related articles
GovTrack link
External links
- Official Site
- Official Blog
- Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress
- 2004 campaign finance data
- The Sunday Times - The Secret Downing Street Memo May 1, 2005
- Bush asked to explain UK war memo May 12, 2005
Related areas
Congress: MI-Sen, MI-01, MI-02, MI-03, MI-04, MI-05, MI-06, MI-07, MI-08, MI-09, MI-10, MI-11, MI-12, MI-13, MI-14, MI-15
State: MI-Gov, Michigan Senate, Michigan House, Michigan elections, 2008, Michigan election results
Counties: Alcona, Alger, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Baraga, Barry, Bay, Benzie, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Clare, Clinton, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Eaton, Emmet, Genesee, Gladwin, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Houghton, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Iosco, Iron, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Kent, Keweenaw, Lake, Lapeer, Leelanau, Lenawee, Livingston, Luce, Mackinac, Macomb, Manistee, Marquette, Mason, Mecosta, Menominee, Midland, Missaukee, Monroe, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Oceana, Ogemaw, Ontonagon, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Ottawa, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Sanilac, Schoolcraft, Shiawassee, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne, Wexford
- Portions of this document were copied from Wikipedia, from the entry titled http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Conyers
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