Clay Shaw (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clay Shaw
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida |
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| In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Edward Stack |
| Succeeded by | Ron Klein |
| Constituency | 12th district (1981–1983) 15th district (1983–1993) 22nd district (1993–2007) |
| Mayor of Fort Lauderdale | |
| In office 1975–1981 |
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| Preceded by | Virginia S. Young |
| Succeeded by | Virginia S. Young |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Eugene Clay Shaw Jr.
April 19, 1939 Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | September 10, 2013 (aged 74) Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Emilie Shaw |
| Residence | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| Alma mater | Stetson University, University of Alabama |
| Occupation | Judge, accountant |
Eugene Clay Shaw Jr. (born April 19, 1939 – died September 10, 2013) was an American politician. He was a member of the Republican Party. Shaw served as the mayor of Fort Lauderdale. Later, he represented South Florida in the United States House of Representatives from 1981 to 2007.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Clay Shaw was born in Miami, Florida. He finished high school in Miami in 1957. He went to Stetson University and earned a business degree in 1961. He also got a master's degree in accounting from the University of Alabama in 1963. In 1966, he earned a law degree from Stetson University School of Law. Shaw married Emilie Costar in 1960.
After college, Shaw worked as a lawyer and an accountant. In 1968, he became an assistant city attorney in Fort Lauderdale. He also served as a city prosecutor and a municipal judge.
Fort Lauderdale Politics
Shaw was a city commissioner from 1971 to 1973. He then became vice mayor from 1973 to 1975. From 1975 to 1981, he served as the mayor of Fort Lauderdale. As mayor, he was part of important groups like the U.S. Conference of Mayors. President Gerald Ford even named him a special U.S. ambassador to Papua New Guinea.
U.S. House of Representatives
Clay Shaw was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1980. He served there for 26 years.
Elections
- 1980 Election
In 1980, Republicans hoped to win more seats in Congress. Clay Shaw, who was a popular mayor, decided to run for Congress. He ran against Allen Becker, a lawyer. Shaw won the election with 55% of the votes. He went to Washington to represent Broward County, Florida. That same year, Ronald Reagan became president.
- Later Elections
Shaw was re-elected many times. In 1982, he won with 57% of the vote. He won again in 1984 with 66%. In 1986 and 1990, he won without anyone running against him.
- 1992 Election
After the 1990 U.S. census, Florida's voting districts were changed. Shaw's district became the 22nd District. It stretched a long way along the coast. He faced a tough opponent, State Senate President Gwen Margolis. Despite the challenge, Shaw won with 58% of the votes.
- 1994 Election
Shaw won re-election with 63% of the vote. He supported the Republican Contract with America. This plan helped Republicans gain control of Congress for the first time in 40 years.
- 2000 Election
In 2000, Shaw ran for his 10th term. He faced a strong opponent, state Representative Elaine Bloom. The race was very close. Shaw won by only 599 votes out of over 220,000 votes.
- 2002 Election
After the close 2000 election, the voting districts were changed again. Shaw's district became a bit easier for him to win. He was re-elected with 61% of the vote.
- 2004 Election
Shaw won re-election with 63% of the vote.
- 2006 Election
In 2006, Shaw was defeated by Democratic State Senator Ron Klein. Klein won with 51% of the vote. After his loss, Shaw gave his official papers and items from his time in Congress to Stetson University. This collection includes letters from presidents and many photos.
Key Achievements
Clay Shaw worked on several important projects and laws during his time in Congress.
- E. Clay Shaw Jr. 17th Street Causeway Bridge
In 2002, a new bridge opened in Fort Lauderdale. It was named the E. Clay Shaw Jr. Bridge. This was because Congressman Shaw helped get federal money for the bridge.
- Missing Children's Act
After a local child, Adam Walsh, went missing and died, Shaw introduced the Missing Children's Act of 1982. This law helped parents find missing children by giving them access to a central computer file. President Reagan signed this law. Shaw was honored for his work by the Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
- Welfare Reform
Shaw played a big part in changing the nation's welfare system. He believed in helping people become more independent. Working with state governors, he helped create new laws. These laws focused on personal responsibility. After some changes, the welfare reform law was signed in 1996.
Committee Work
Shaw was a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. This committee handles important issues like taxes and trade.
- Trade Subcommittee
From 2005 to 2007, Shaw led the Ways and Means Trade subcommittee. He helped pass a free trade agreement between the U.S. and several Central American countries, including the Dominican Republic. This agreement helped open up trade and create more opportunities.
- Social Security Subcommittee
From 1999 to 2005, Shaw led the Social Security Subcommittee. He helped pass a law that allowed seniors aged 65 to 69 to keep working without losing their Social Security benefits. This was a big help for many older Americans.
- Human Resources Subcommittee
From 1995 to 1998, Shaw chaired the Human Resources subcommittee. Here, he led the efforts to reform the welfare system, focusing on helping people gain independence.
- Florida Congressional Delegation Chairman
Shaw was also the chairman of the Florida delegation from 1996 until he left office. In this role, he helped coordinate activities among Florida's representatives in Congress.
- House 2015 Caucus
In 2003, after having lung cancer surgery, Shaw helped start the House 2015 Caucus. The goal of this group was to find a cure for cancer or make it a manageable disease by 2015.
Shaw was also a member of many other groups in Congress. These included the Congressional Arts Caucus and the Congressional Social Security Caucus.
After Congress
After leaving Congress in 2007, Clay Shaw gave his collection of Congressional papers to Stetson University. These important documents are kept in the university's library.
In 2008, Shaw was named a "Great Floridian" by the state of Florida. This honor is given to people who have made big contributions to the state. Clay Shaw remained active in the Fort Lauderdale community.
Personal Life
Clay Shaw and his wife, Emilie, had four children: Emilie, Jennifer, Clay III, and J.C. They also had 15 grandchildren.
Shaw passed away on September 10, 2013, at the age of 74. He had been battling lung cancer. He is buried in Cuba, Alabama.
See also
- Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act
Images for kids
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Shaw being sworn in by Speaker Dennis Hastert for the 108th Congress
