Born on May 23, 1950, in Thomasville, Georgia, this politician has a strong academic background with an A.B. from the College of William and Mary, an M.A. from the University of Georgia, and a Ph.D. from Florida State University. He served as a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, from 1977 until 2011, which reflects his dedication to education and academia. This individual also made significant contributions to Nevada politics, having served in the Nevada State Senate from 1989 to 2008, where he was the minority leader from 1993 to 2008. In 2006, he ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Nevada. He has been a member of the U.S. House of Representatives since January 3, 2013, after serving a previous term from 2009 to 2011.

During his congressional tenure, he has been an active member of various committees including the House Committee on Education and Labor, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. This diverse committee membership highlights his focus on a range of domestic and international issues.

Throughout his time in Congress, he has sponsored several notable pieces of legislation. For instance, he co-sponsored the Capitol Remembrance Act (H.R. 321), which aims to create a permanent exhibit in the U.S. Capitol to memorialize the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. This legislation underscores his commitment to commemorating significant events in U.S. history and honoring those who protected the Capitol during that time. The proposed exhibit is intended to educate future generations on the importance of security and democracy.

Another significant bill he co-sponsored is H.R. 41, which expresses support for designating January as "Tamil Language and Heritage Month." This resolution acknowledges the contributions of the Tamil community, which includes a notable number of individuals residing in the United States. He has also shown interest in contemporary issues such as supporting the rights of students with disabilities through the Protecting Students with Disabilities Act, which aims to ensure that educational services for these students remain stable and well-funded.

The individual's legislative initiatives reflect a primarily Democratic ideology, particularly emphasizing education, health care access, and social justice issues. His support for broad labor protections, including co-sponsoring the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act, illustrates his focus on empowering workers and enhancing labor rights. Additionally, his involvement in initiatives like the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act demonstrates a steadfast commitment to enhancing voting rights and equity.

With a background in academia and a longstanding career in public service, this member of Congress exemplifies a commitment to education, civil rights, and comprehensive legislative efforts aimed at improving the welfare of all Americans, particularly marginalized communities. Their sponsorship of key legislation shows a responsiveness to the evolving needs of the public and a desire to affect positive change through governance.