Bennie Thompson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bennie Thompson
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Official portrait, 2023
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| Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | John Katko |
| In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Peter King |
| Succeeded by | Mike Rogers |
| In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Turner |
| Succeeded by | Peter King |
| Chair of the House January 6th Committee | |
| In office July 1, 2021 – January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Michael McCaul |
| Succeeded by | Mark Green |
| In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Peter King |
| Succeeded by | Peter King |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi's 2nd district |
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| Assumed office April 13, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Mike Espy |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Bennie Gordon Thompson
January 28, 1948 Bolton, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
London Johnson
(m. 1968) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Tougaloo College (BA) Jackson State University (MS) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | |
Bennie Gordon Thompson (born January 28, 1948) is an American politician and teacher. He has served as a U.S. representative for Mississippi since 1993. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Thompson was the chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023. He was the first Democrat and the first African American to lead this committee. Since 2011, he has been the only Democrat representing Mississippi in Congress. His district includes most of Jackson and is the only district in the state where most people are Black.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Bennie Thompson was born in Bolton, Mississippi. He went to public schools in Hinds County. After high school, he studied political science at Tougaloo College, earning his degree in 1968. He later earned a master's degree in educational administration from Jackson State University in 1972.
Thompson started his career as a schoolteacher in Madison, Mississippi. He then became an alderman (a local council member) in Bolton from 1969 to 1973. He served as mayor of Bolton from 1973 to 1980. After that, he was elected to the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, where he worked until 1993.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Becoming a Representative
In 1993, the representative for Mississippi's 2nd district, Mike Espy, left his job. Bennie Thompson ran in the special election to take his place. He won the election and has been reelected many times since then. He has served in the House of Representatives for over 30 years.
Helping Communities After Disasters
After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, Thompson became a strong supporter for the affected areas. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, he worked to make sure organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Red Cross helped people properly. He also pushed for small businesses in the Gulf Coast to get help with rebuilding.
Focus on Important Issues
Thompson's work in Congress has focused on several key areas:
- Homeland Security: Making sure local police, firefighters, and emergency medical workers have the tools and training they need to keep communities safe.
- Civil Rights: Working to ensure everyone has fair treatment and equal opportunities. He was part of a lawsuit in 1975 to make sure Black colleges in Mississippi received fair funding.
- Education: Supporting equal access to good education for all students.
- Health Care: Working to improve health care for everyone. In 2000, he helped create the National Center for Minority Health and Health Care Disparities.
In 2007, Thompson introduced a very important bill called the "Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act." This bill aimed to improve airport security, border security, and make sure first responders had the right equipment. It passed with strong support and became law. This made him the first African-American chairman of a House Committee to lead a major bill through Congress from start to finish.
Thompson has also supported bills to:
- Stop car insurance companies from using credit scores to set rates, so rates are based on driving skills instead.
- Increase background checks for pilot trainees to prevent security risks.
- Limit the number of secret government documents and improve the security clearance system.
In 2020, Thompson and other lawmakers suggested creating a special group to study how the country handled the coronavirus pandemic. He compared it to the group that investigated the 9/11 attacks.
January 6th Committee
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After the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, Bennie Thompson called for a full investigation. He was chosen by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to lead the United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack. This committee investigated what happened that day. As the chairman, Thompson had special power to issue subpoenas, which are official requests for information or people to testify.
Lawsuit Against Donald Trump
In February 2021, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of Bennie Thompson. It accused former President Donald Trump and others of causing the violence at the U U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The lawsuit claimed that their actions prevented Congress from doing its job.
Committee and Group Memberships
For the current Congress, Bennie Thompson is the top Democrat (Ranking Member) on the Committee on Homeland Security.
He is also part of several groups in Congress, including:
- Congressional Black Caucus
- Congressional Rural Caucus
- Congressional Sunbelt Caucus
- Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Caucus
- Afterschool Caucuses
Personal Life
Bennie Thompson is married to London Johnson. They have a daughter named BendaLonne, a granddaughter named Jeanna, and a grandson named Thomas. He is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and the Asbury United Methodist Church in Bolton.
Recognition
In January 2025, President Joe Biden honored Thompson with the Presidential Citizens Medal. This award recognizes Americans who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or fellow citizens.
He was also nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize along with other members of the January 6th Committee. This nomination was for his "defense of freedom and democracy."
See also
In Spanish: Bennie Thompson para niños
