Congresswoman Barbara Lee to Discuss Her Book, “Renegade for Peace & Justice”

NOTE: This event has been postponed. New date TBA.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Democratic representative from California, will discuss her book, “Renegade for Peace & Justice: Congresswoman Barbara Lee Speaks for Me,” at Trinity on Thursday, April 2, 7:15 p.m., in Social Hall in Main Hall. She will sign copies of her book after her talk; books will be on sale at a 20% discount.

Congresswoman Lee was first elected to represent California’s ninth Congressional District in 1998, in a special election to fill the seat of retiring Congressman Ron Dellums. Lee has served in leadership positions on the Congressional Progressive Caucus, as co-founder of the Out of Iraq and Out of Poverty Caucuses, and recently was elected chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Among her many legislative victories, Lee’s Darfur divestment bill was signed into law in 2008. She has been a leader in the bipartisan effort in Congress to end the ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudan. She was arrested for protesting the genocide in front of the Sudanese embassy in Washington in June 2006 and has traveled to the Darfur region several times.

Lee’s accomplishments in promoting effective, bipartisan legislation to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and bring treatment to the infected have earned her international recognition as a leader in the fight against global HIV/AIDS.

Lee’s willingness to stand on principle earned her international acclaim when she was the only member of Congress to vote against giving President Bush a blank check to wage war after the horrific September 11th attacks. In addition to being one of Congress’ most vocal opponents to the war in Iraq, Lee has been a leader in promoting policies that foster international peace, security and human rights. She successfully blocked funds from being used to establish permanent military bases in Iraq during the 109th Congress. She sponsored legislation disavowing the doctrine of preemptive war.

Lee is committed to eradicating poverty, fostering opportunity and protecting the most vulnerable in our society. In the wake of hurricane Katrina, she authored the poverty section of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Gulf Coast reconstruction legislation and introduced a package of bills designed to make poverty eradication a priority for Congress.

Born in El Paso, Texas, Lee graduated from Mills College in Oakland, CA, and received her master of social work (MSW) from the University of California in Berkeley. She began her political career as an intern in the office of her predecessor, then-Congressman Ron Dellums, current Mayor of Oakland, where she eventually became his chief of staff. Before being elected to Congress, she served in the California State Assembly from 1990-1996 and in the California State Senate from 1996-1998.

Her book, “Renegade for Peace & Justice,” was published in fall 2008.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee

Reengade for Peace & Justice