Diane Watson
Diane Edith Watson (born November 12, 1933) is a former American politician who served as US Representative for California's 33rd congressional district, serving from 2003 until 2011, after first being elected in the 32nd District in a 2001 special election. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is located entirely in Los Angeles County and includes much of Central Los Angeles, as well as such wealthy neighborhoods as Los Feliz.
Diane Watson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California | |
| In office June 7, 2001 – January 3, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Julian Dixon |
| Succeeded by | Karen Bass |
| Constituency | 32nd district (2001–2003) 33rd district (2003–2011) |
| United States Ambassador to Micronesia | |
| In office 1999–2000 | |
| Preceded by | March Fong Eu |
| Succeeded by | Larry Miles Dinger |
| Member of the California Senate | |
| In office December 4, 1978 – November 30, 1994 | |
| Preceded by | Nate Holden |
| Succeeded by | Ralph C. Dills |
| Constituency | 30th district (1978–82) 28th district (1982–94) |
| In office December 5, 1994 – November 30, 1998 | |
| Preceded by | Charles Calderon |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Murray |
| Constituency | 26th district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 12, 1933 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | South Central, Los Angeles |
| Alma mater | University of California, Los Angeles (BA) California State University, Los Angeles (MS) Claremont Graduate University (PhD) |
| Occupation | College administrator Health Psychologist Specialist |
| Committees | House Foreign Affairs Committee House Oversight and Government Reform Committee |
| Website | http://www.house.gov/watson/ |
A native of Los Angeles, Watson is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, and also holds degrees from California State University, Los Angeles and Claremont Graduate University. She worked as a psychologist, professor, and health occupation specialist before serving as a member of the Los Angeles Unified School Board (1975–78). She was a member of the California Senate from 1978 to 1998, and the US Ambassador to Micronesia from 1999 to 2000.
Watson was elected to Congress in a 2001 special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Julian C. Dixon. She was re-elected four times, and retired after the end of the 111th Congress.