J.C. Watts

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J. C. Watts
United States Representative from Oklahoma's 4th district
In office 1995-2003
Preceded by	Dave McCurdy
Succeeded by	Tom Cole
Born	November 18, 1957 Eufaula, Oklahoma
Political party	Republican
Religion	Baptist

Julius Caesar "J.C." Watts (born November 18, 1957) is an American conservative Republican politician, CNN political contributor, and former Representative from Oklahoma in the U.S. Congress.

Contents 1 Early life and sports career 1.1 OU Sooners quarterback 1.2 Canadian Football League Career 2 Religious work 3 Political career 3.1 Entry into Oklahoma politics 3.2 Elected to Congress 3.3 1996 Republican National Convention speech 3.4 Republican response to 1997 State of the Union 3.5 House Republican Conference Chair 4 Post-Congressional career 4.1 Chairman of J.C. Watts Companies 4.2 Infomercials 5 Quotes 6 See also 7 External links

[edit] Early life and sports career

[edit] OU Sooners quarterback

Watts was born in Eufaula, Oklahoma. After graduating from high school in 1976, Watts was recruited by and attended college at the University of Oklahoma. Chosen to play the quarterback position, Watts led the OU Sooners college football team to consecutive Big Eight Conference titles and Orange Bowl championships under the leadership of head coach Barry Switzer. He graduated in 1981 with a BA degree in journalism.

[edit] Canadian Football League Career

Between 1981 to 1986, Watts played professional football in the Canadian Football League for the Ottawa Rough Riders, receiving the Grey Cup Most Valuable Player award during his rookie season in a Grey Cup loss to Warren Moon and the Edmonton Eskimos. Watts continued to play the quarterback position (which had brought him success at OU). After his retirement, Watts was replaced ultimately, several years later, by Damon Allen as quarterback for the eastern Riders. By the end of his football career, Watts had played against such quarterbacks as Damon Allen, Matt Dunigan, Tom Clements, Condredge Holloway, Dieter Brock, Joe Paopao, Danny Barrett, and Vince Ferragamo during his sojourn in the CFL.

[edit] Religious work

After retiring from professional football in Canada, Watts returned to Oklahoma and began work with the Southern Baptist Church. Watts served as a Southern Baptist youth minister and associate pastor in Del City, Oklahoma from 1987 to 1994.

[edit] Political career

[edit] Entry into Oklahoma politics

Watts was approached by several prominent Oklahoma Republicans and asked to run for a seat on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. After defeating several other candidates in the state Republican primary, Watts won in November, 1990, and was the first African-American elected to statewide office in Oklahoma. Many Oklahoma African-Americans who would have probably voted for the Democratic candidate instead crossed over to vote for Watts (helping him to win).

[edit] Elected to Congress

Four years later, Watts was again approached by prominent Oklahoma Republican leaders and asked to consider running for an open seat for Congress (Oklahoma's 4th Congressional district, being vacated by Congressman Dave McCurdy). Watts agreed and in November, 1994, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He garnered attention soon after his election by declining to join the Congressional Black Caucus, saying it was "infested" with "Democratic liberals who betray black people in America."

[edit] 1996 Republican National Convention speech

Watts captured national attention in 1996 with a speech before the Republican national convention, when he said, "You see character does count. For too long we have gotten by in a society that says the only thing right is to get by and the only thing wrong is to get caught. Character is doing what's right when nobody is looking. " [1]

[edit] Republican response to 1997 State of the Union

Continuing to be a rising star for the national Republican Party, Watts was selected in 1997 to deliver the Republican response to President Bill Clinton's State of the Union Address. Later that year, Watts stirred up controversy when he branded some unnamed black Democrats and civil rights leaders as "race-hustling poverty pimps." [2].

[edit] House Republican Conference Chair

In 1998, Watts was chosen by the Republican House Leadership to be the chairman of the House Republican Conference, the 4th highest position of leadership in the House of Representatives (behind the Speaker, the Majority Leader, and the Majority Whip).

Although elected on a pledge to serve no more than two terms, Watts sought and won a fourth term in 2000. In 2002 he decided not to run for re-election, publicly citing a desire to spend more time with his family.

[edit] Post-Congressional career

[edit] Chairman of J.C. Watts Companies

He is chairman of the J.C. Watts Companies, which works with clients on strategies for business development, communications and public affairs. He serves on the boards of the Boy Scouts of America, the United States Military Academy, Africare, BNSF Railway, Clear Channel Communications, Dillard's and Terex Corporation. He is the current chairman of GOPAC. He writes a monthly column for The Sporting News and is a frequent political commentator on many nationally-syndicated political talk shows, including The Tavis Smiley Show, The Situation Room, Hannity and Colmes, and Meet the Press.

[edit] Infomercials

In 2004, he became a spokesman for National Grants Conferences, a group that offers through infomercials access to millions of dollars in government subsidies.

[edit] Quotes

"...they said that I had sold out and Uncle Tom. And I said well, they deserve to have that view. But I have my thoughts. And I think they're race-hustling poverty pimps."

J.C. Watts, Jr. speaking on Hannity and Colmes about his refusal to join the Congressional Black Caucus.

[edit] See also

• Oklahoma Republican Party
• Conservative
• Politics of Oklahoma
• Oklahoma Congressional Districts
• Dave McCurdy
• Tom Cole

[edit] External links

• J.C. Watts Companies website
• Biography from Oklahoma state site
• Speech Watts gave at Dartmouth College
• Watts and Infomercials
• Article in Black Enterprise from when Watts was first elected
• GOPAC website

Preceded by Dave McCurdy

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 4th congressional district 1995 – 2003

Succeeded by Tom Cole

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.

Corporate officers: Lowry Mays | Mark Mays | Randall Mays | Tom Hicks Board of directors: Alan Feld | Perry Lewis | Lowry Mays | B.J. McCombs | Phyllis Riggins | Theodore Strauss | J.C. Watts | John H. Williams

Radio / Television stations: (See List of broadcast stations owned by Clear Channel) Other major assets: Clear Channel Outdoor | Clear Channel UK | Premiere Radio Networks | FOX Sports Radio Network