Art Haywood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Art Haywood
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 4th district |
|
| Assumed office January 6, 2015 |
|
| Preceded by | LeAnna Washington |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1958 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Julie Billingslea
(m. 1989) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Morehouse College (BA) London School of Economics (MS) University of Michigan (JD) |
Arthur L. Haywood III, born around 1958, is an American lawyer and politician. He is a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, which is part of the state's government. He has represented the 4th district since 2015. Mr. Haywood is a member of the Democratic Party. He also leads a group called Americans for Democratic Action, which works to support democratic ideas.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Art Haywood grew up in Toledo, Ohio. His parents were Arthur and Virginia Haywood. His mother, Virginia, was a teacher in public schools and worked to improve education.
He finished high school at Rogers High School in 1975. He then went to Morehouse College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1979. He graduated with high honors.
Mr. Haywood was a special student called a Marshall scholar. This allowed him to study at the London School of Economics in England, where he earned a Master of Science degree. Later, he earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1985. After finishing his studies, he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to start his law career.
Political Career
In 2009, Art Haywood decided to get involved in local government. He was inspired by the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States. Mr. Haywood ran for a spot on the Board of Commissioners in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania. This board helps manage the local town.
He served on the board for five years. For two of those years, he was the president of the board.
In 2014, Mr. Haywood ran for the Pennsylvania State Senate. He won against the person who was already in office, LeAnna Washington, in the primary election. A primary election is when people from the same party choose who they want to represent them. After winning the primary, he won the general election to become the senator for the 4th district. He was re-elected, meaning he won again, in 2018 and 2022.
What Art Haywood Cares About
Policing and Justice
After some important events involving police in 2015, Senator Haywood suggested a new law. This law would have made the Pennsylvania Attorney General (the state's top lawyer) investigate all deaths involving police.
In 2022, he brought up a similar idea. This time, his plan would have required local district attorneys (lawyers who work for the government to bring cases against people) to investigate police-related deaths without the police department being directly involved. If the district attorney chose not to bring charges, the case would then go to the Attorney General for review.
Gun Safety
Senator Haywood is also focused on reducing gun violence. He once held a peaceful protest, called a sit-in, outside the office of Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. He did this to encourage action on gun violence in Philadelphia.
When he ran for re-election in 2022, he promised to work on laws that would limit the sale of certain powerful weapons and their parts.
After a new federal law called the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was passed, Senator Haywood supported a "red flag law" in Pennsylvania. A red flag law allows temporary removal of guns from people who are a danger to themselves or others.
January 6 Events
In 2022, Senator Haywood suggested that schools in Pennsylvania should remember the events of January 6 Capitol attack. This was when people tried to stop the government from confirming the results of the 2020 presidential election.
He also introduced a plan to make sure that politicians who took part in the January 6 events could not hold elected office again. This plan would use a part of the U.S. Constitution.
In 2024, Senator Haywood asked for an investigation into another State Senator, Doug Mastriano, regarding his involvement in the events of January 6. However, the State Senate's Ethics Committee decided not to investigate his complaint.
Personal Life
Art Haywood married his wife, Julie Billingslea, in 1989. They have three grown-up children. Julie Billingslea is also involved in public service. She is currently a member of the school board for the Cheltenham School District.
Images for kids
-
Senator Art Haywood speaking at an event.
