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Debbie Wasserman SchultzDebbie Wasserman Schultz is a Florida Democrat elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2004, serving in Florida's 20th District (map). She was born September 27, 1966 in Queens, New York and grew up on Long Island. She currently lives in Weston, Florida. She is a mother of three, and is married to Steve Schultz. Before being elected to the United States Congress, Schultz was a program administrator and an instructor at a Florida college as well as a state legislative aide to Peter Deutsch, with whom she is considered closely aligned in ideology. Schultz has committed to building relationships with Republicans while in Congress, and shares many of their positions on Israel. Wasserman Schultz is pro-choice, pro-gun control and pro-gay rights. The 20th district is considered a liberal stronghold and is home to a large population of Jewish senior citizens. She joined the Florida House at age 26, becoming the youngest female legislator in the history of Florida. She was elected to the Florida Senate in 2000. During her tenure in both Florida's House and Senate, she was considered one of the most liberal representatives in Florida. She fought for legislation protecting women, seniors, and children, including legislation requiring gender price parity for dry cleaning and ensuring an equal number of men and women were appointed to state boards. Her critics gaver her the nickname, "Wasserperson" to satirize her work to make language in the state more "gender neutral." Nevertheless, she pushed through several bills including the Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act and one creating a Children's Services Council for Broward County. Wasserman Schultz, who is Jewish, is an active member of the National Jewish Democratic Council, Planned Parenthood and Hadassah. She received an award from the Save The Manatee Club for commitment to manatee protection as state senator. During her campaign for U.S. House, her opponent Margaret Hostetter made veiled negative references to Wasserman Schultz's Judaism. Her campaign site also lampooned Wasserman Schultz for protesting an American flag photograph with a Christian cross on it that was on display in a government building. Hostetter wrote, "Elect Margaret Hostetter to Congress November 2 and send the clear message that Americans respect and support ... the foundational role Christianity has had in the formation of our great nation. Our rights come from God, not the state." Hostetter also suggested that Wasserman Schultz should not be elected because she would not have enough time to devote to Congress because of her three young children. When Wasserman Schultz was sworn in, she insisted on using the Tanakh. Because Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert only had a Christian Bible, she procured a copy of the Tanakh from Congressman Gary Ackerman. Wasserman Schultz is considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, as shown by her appointment to the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. She is a member of Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's 30 Something Working Group, which is comprised of congressional Democrats under 40. The group concentrates on issues affecting young people, including Social Security. During the Terri Schiavo controversy, she was one of the strongest opponents of congressional intervention. In an editorial, the Miami Herald wrote: "During three hours of debate ... the freshman Democrat distinguished herself by repeatedly challenging those who tried to misstate the facts surrounding Schiavo's health." External links Debbie Wasserman Schultz' official site Debbie Wasserman Schultz' campaign website Debbie Wasserman Schultz refuting arguments on the house floor during Schiavo debate Schultz' endorsements ad Schultz for Congress Several videos of Schultz on the house floor debating Social Security "S. Florida's Wasserman Schultz gains national notice in Schiavo debate." (March 22, 2005), Orlando Sun-Sentinel. Wasserman Schultz, DebbieWasserman Schultz, Debbie
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