Albert Wynn



Albert Russell Wynn was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 4th district of Maryland (map), between 1992-2008. Following a primary election defeat to challenger Donna Edwards in February 2008, Wynn resigned from Congress on May 31 of that year.

Iraq War
Wynn voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Views on immigration
On the topic of immigration, representative Wynn feels that it does not matter if they've gotten here legally or not, they deserve the same rights and respect in our country. Representative Wynn strongly opposes many bills that are designed to deport illegal immigrants with the reasoning that it is inhumane.

Border Protection, Anti-terrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 - H.R. 4437
The Border Protection, Anti-terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 basically enforces illegal immigration laws to the next level. Some of the provisions include building a longer fense along the boarder of the U.S. and mexico, heavier monetary fines for the ones who have been discovered, etc. Representative Wynn strongly opposes this bill due to the fact that he sees illegal immigrants an asset to our society and that they should not be treated in a harsh manner.

Secure Fence Act - H.R.6061
Al Wynn is against the Secure Fence Act (building a fence along the Mexico boarder (approx. 700miles). He believes that it is something that the United States should not use their monetary resources on (7 billion dollars). He also points out the fact that there is a high demand for unskilled labor in this country and illegal immigrants are the resolution to that problem. Wynn's idea for an alternative is a "guest worker program".

Other Views On Immigration
Al Wynn is a supporter of extending immigrant residency rules. Al Wynn is also against reporting illegal aliens who recieve hospital treatments. He firmly believes that everyone deserves the basic necessities and hospital treatment is one of them.

Background
Wynn was born September 10, 1951 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was educated at the University of Pittsburgh, Howard University and Georgetown University. He was a lawyer, director of Prince George's County, Maryland's consumer protection commission, and a member of the Maryland House of Delegates and the Maryland State Senate before entering the House.

Congressional Career
Rep. Wynn was elected to the House of Representatives in 1992. Throughout his tenure in Congress, Wynn has worked towards protecting the salaries and benefits of federal employees and towards ending discrimination in the federal work force. Wynn has co-sponsored legislation aimed towards increasing the minimum wage, offering more job training and increasing access to child care.

During the 105th Congress, Wynn successfully sponsored legislation to improve federal contracting opportunities for small and minority businesses. During the 107th Congress, Wynn introduced additional contracting legislation. He has twice received the Small Business Administration Administrator's Leadership Award for his efforts on behalf of small businesses.

In the community, Rep. Wynn sponsors an annual job fair, federal procurement fair and business expo, a college financial aid workshop, and a student leadership workshop.

2006 elections
Wynn faced Donna Edwards in the Democratic primary. Due to problems with voting apparatus in Montgomery county, there were substantial problems with the voting process. Certification of the election results were delayed, but on September 25, 2006, Edwards conceded the primary to Wynn.

In 2006, the Republicans nominated Michael Moshe Starkman to face Wynn in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Wynn retained his seat.

2008 elections
After eight terms representing suburban Washington, the incumbent Wynn lost the Democratic primary to lawyer and activist Donna Edwards on February 12, 2008. Wynn joins fellow Maryland congressman Wayne Gilchrest as the first two incumbents of the 2008 primary election season to lose their seats.

Resignation
In March 2008, a Washington D.C. lawfirm confirmed that Wynn would resign his House seat before the end of his eighth term. The firm, Dickstein Shapiro, said Wynn would join its Public Policy & Law Practice as partner in June. Following his defeat in a February primary, Wynn had vowed to stay in Congress until the end of 2008. In a statement on his campaign Web site, Wynn said:"'I want to thank you and I look forward to serving out the remainder my term in Congress. There is much work to be done and I wish you well.'"

On May 31, 2008, Wynn officially resigned his seat in the 110th Congress. Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) called for a special election to fill the remainder of Wynn's term.

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Campaign contributions
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Personal finances

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Committees

 * House Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality
 * Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Waste

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality
 * Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet
 * Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Waste

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Chair, Caucus Minority Business Task Force
 * Congressional Black Caucus Homeland Security Task Force
 * Chair, Congressional Black Caucus Task Force on Campaign Finance Reform
 * Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans
 * Congressional Fire Services Caucus
 * Congressional Rural Caucus
 * Co-Chair, Congressional Wireless Caucus
 * Democratic Leadership Council
 * Democratic Message Group
 * Older Americans Caucus
 * Silk Road Caucus

Boards and other Affiliations

 * Board of Directors, Consumer Credit Counselling Service

Contact
DC Office: 2470 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515-2004 Phone: 202-225-8699 Fax: 202-225-8714 Web Email Website

District Office- Largo: 9200 Basil Court, Suite 221 Largo, MD 20774 Phone: 301-773-4094 Fax:

District Office- Gaithersburg: 18401 Woodfield Road, Suite D Gaithersburg, MD 20879 Phone: 301-987-2054 Fax:

Resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Articles

 * Albert Wynn's Colbert Report interview. (Other Colbert Report interviews with members of Congress)
 * Nicole Bell, "Maryland Madness," Crooks and Liars, September 13, 2006.