Now in her sixth term serving Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick’s hard work and thoughtful political style have earned her the confidence and respect of her peers, who have appointed her to the powerful House Appropriations Committee. She is the only Michigan Democrat on this important committee, which authorizes spending for all levels of the federal government. The Congresswoman has secured more than a half billion dollars to revitalize Michigan’s 13th District.

Congresswoman Kilpatrick has taken a special interest in leveling the playing field for minority-owned media outlets and advertising firms that face discrimination from major advertisers. She has hosted highly successful forums on diversity in advertising and was a leading force in the successful effort to secure a Presidential Executive Order compelling all federal agencies to increase their contractual opportunities with minority businesses.

Congresswoman Kilpatrick has brought a successful NASA engineering and aeronautics program to the District for K-12 students. The Congresswoman worked with Fannie Mae to secure $18 million in home mortgages for moderate-income families. Under her leadership, the Detroit “With Ownership, Wealth” (WOW) program was named 2006 WOW Program of the Year for helping more than 500 African American families become homeowners.

Her colleagues and other Capitol Hill observers have taken note of Congresswoman Kilpatrick’s leadership skills. She was unanimously elected Chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus for the 110th Congress. Campaigns and Elections identified Congresswoman Kilpatrick as one of “Five Women to Watch” in the 110th Congress, and the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call named her to its list of future Capitol Hill leaders. The Congresswoman was appointed to the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. As a member of this illustrious group, the Congresswoman helps increase communication and collaboration between the two countries on policies and issues of shared importance.

Born and raised in Detroit, Congresswoman Kilpatrick did her undergraduate work at Ferris State University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Western Michigan University. She earned a Masters degree from the University of Michigan and taught Business Education in the Detroit Public Schools. In 1978, she was elected to the Michigan State House. She served there for 18 years and was the first African-American woman to serve on the Michigan House Appropriations Committee.

Congresswoman Kilpatrick has two children, a daughter, Ayanna, and a son, Kwame, who is serving his second consecutive term as the Mayor of Detroit. Congresswoman Kilpatrick is the proud grandmother of six grandchildren, including two sets of twins.

Congress is always working to address five issues that affect our community and the entire nation: education, small business, health care, taxes, transportation, national security, and the environment.

Congresswoman Kilpatrick fights to make sure the best interests of her constituents are considered. Click here to learn about some of the most important issues facing the Congress and the people of the 13th District.