Borris Miles

Representative
Borris L. Miles
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 146th district
Assumed office
2006
Preceded by Al Edwards
Personal details
Born (1965-10-29) October 29, 1965
Sunnyside, Houston
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Cydonii Fairfax Miles
Residence Houston, Texas
Alma mater Sam Houston State University
Occupation Insurance Broker
Religion Baptist
Website Official website

Democrat Borris L. Miles is a member of the Texas House of Representatives. He is serving his third term as Representative for District 146, which encompasses parts of Harris County, Texas, including Sunnyside, Houston, and Third Ward, Houston.[1]

Personal life

Miles is a lifelong resident of Houston, Texas; growing up in Sunnyside, Houston where he attended Yates High School. After high school, he received the Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Criminal Science from Sam Houston State University.[2] Miles is married to Cydonni Fairfax Miles. Mr.Miles is also a member of the Theta Mu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. [3]

Background

A former law enforcement officer, Borris is a successful entrepreneur and businessman, owning and operating the third largest African- American independent insurance agency in the United States and the number one African-American owned agency in Texas.

Before he was elected to office, Miles worked to improve the community by purchasing and renovating two city blocks on Almeda Road, where his office is located, providing professional lease space to seven other minority-owned businesses and their employees. Representative Miles conceived the Hip Hop 4 HIV program in 2007.[4] The concept started when he reached out to other prominent figures in an effort to combat the rising AIDS epidemic in the African American and Latino communities. He collaborated with 97.9 The Box[5] and the City of Houston to put on a free hip hop concert for those willing to be tested for HIV.

Miles continues to maintain an active role in his community. For years Miles has given his time to organizations like the Urban League, United Negro College Fund, Houston Sickle Cell Association and the Texas Auto Theft Prevention Board.[6][7]

Texas House of Representatives

Representative Borris L. Miles was first elected to serve as the State Representative for District 146 in November 2006. he was re-elected in November 2010, and was sworn back into the House of Representatives in January 2011 and again in January 2013.[8] Miles' next term, in the 84th Legislative Session, began in January 2015.[9]

Eightieth Texas Legislature

Miles emerged as an effective legislator for his district and a leader for the Democrats in the House. During his first session in the Texas House of Representatives, Borris was responsible for writing 25 pieces of legislation which were enacted into law, making him one of the most effective members of the 80th Legislative Session. This legislation included a measure to create an ombudsman for the Texas Youth Commission and ensuring college admission to the children of firefighters or law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

Eighty-Second Texas Legislature

Representative Miles followed up this success with a strong session in 2011. In a tough session where Republicans outnumbered Democrats 101-49, Miles stood out, willing to take on the Republicans head on. In only his second term, he was named a floor leader by the House Democratic leadership. He was responsible for directing floor strategy and counting votes for the House Democrats. Miles challenged a conservative member's attempt to mandate Western Civilization for public university students and fought the Voter ID bill on the floor.

Rep. Miles was named a "Star of the 2011 Legislative Session"[10] by the Texas Classroom Teachers Association for his part in defeating legislation, HB 400, which would have permanently eliminated class size limits and eroded the employment rights of teachers. Rep. Miles used a point of order to stop consideration of HB 400, forcing the bill to be sent back to committee for further consideration so that it did not pass during the regular session.

In the wake of the Chad Holley brutality incident,[11][12][13][14] Rep. Miles became a leader concerning police abuse victim's rights. Rep. Miles fought against police abuse and authored legislation regarding police brutality to try to keep rogue police officers who had victimized citizens could be taken off the street.

Economic development was another major priority, and Rep. Miles promoted legislation making District 146 a more desirable place to do business, passing bills in both sessions to create and modify management districts.

As a member of the Agriculture & Livestock Committee, he authored and passed bills to aid in the advancement of urban farm microenterprises. Rep. Miles authored and passed HB 2994,[15] a bill designed to provide financial assistance to urban agriculture research facilities, cooperatives, and small agricultural farms and businesses. Miles also works with Urban Harvest to develop community gardens in Sunnyside.

Eighty-Third Texas Legislature

In the 83rd Texas Legislative Session, Representative Miles was appointed to the Elections[16] and Licensing & Administrative Procedures[17] committees by Speaker Joe Straus.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/fyiwebdocs/PDF/house/dist146/m1.pdf
  2. ↑ http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/?district=146#member-biography
  3. ↑ http://www.texastribune.org/directory/borris-miles/
  4. ↑ http://thebeatdfw.com/2006900/hip-hop-for-hiv-2012/
  5. ↑ http://theboxhouston.com/1292151/hip-hop-for-hiv-awareness-testing-locations/
  6. ↑ http://borrismiles.com/wp/about-2/
  7. ↑ http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/?district=146#member-biography
  8. ↑ http://www.texastribune.org/2013/01/08/simpson-withdraws-straus-reelected-acclamation/
  9. ↑ http://www.texastribune.org/directory/borris-miles/
  10. ↑ https://wwws.tcta.org/node/12954
  11. ↑ http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2011/02/city_officials_answer_to_an_an.php
  12. ↑ http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/feature?section=news/local&id=7935895
  13. ↑ http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=7412033
  14. ↑ http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=7450018
  15. ↑ http://legiscan.com/TX/text/HB2994/id/306499
  16. ↑ http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipCmte.aspx?LegSess=83R&CmteCode=C240
  17. ↑ http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipCmte.aspx?LegSess=83R&CmteCode=C350

External links

Borris Miles website *

Preceded by
Al Edwards 		Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from District 146 (Houston)
2007-2009 		Succeeded by
Al Edwards
Preceded by
Al Edwards 		Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from District 146 (Houston)
2011-Present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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