Michael L. Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Lawrence Williams
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| Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency | |
| In office August 27, 2012 – December 31, 2015 |
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| Governor | Rick Perry (2012–2015) Greg Abbott (2015) |
| Preceded by | Robert Scott |
| Succeeded by | Mike Morath |
| Railroad Commissioner of Texas | |
| In office January 3, 1999 – March 31, 2011 |
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| Governor | George W. Bush (1999–2000) Rick Perry (2000–2011) |
| Preceded by | Carole Keeton Strayhorn |
| Succeeded by | Barry T. Smitherman |
| Assistant Secretary of Education for the Office for Civil Rights | |
| In office 1990–1993 |
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| President | George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | LeGree S. Daniels |
| Succeeded by | Norma V. Cantu |
| Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Law Enforcement | |
| In office April 1989 – 1990 |
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| President | George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Gerald L. Hilsher |
| Succeeded by | Nancy L. Worthington |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 31, 1953 Midland, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Donna Nelson |
| Residence | Arlington, Texas |
| Alma mater | University of Southern California (BA, MPA, JD) |
| Profession | Lawyer, Politician |
Michael Lawrence Williams, born on May 31, 1953, is an American lawyer and educator. He served as the Education Commissioner for the state of Texas. In this important role, he led the Texas Education Agency, which helps manage public schools in Texas. Rick Perry, who was the Governor of Texas at the time, appointed Williams to this position on August 27, 2012.
Williams later decided to leave his role as Education Commissioner. He announced on October 15, 2015, that he would step down by the end of that year. He wanted to return to working in the private sector.
Before becoming Education Commissioner, Williams was a member of the Texas Railroad Commission. This group is elected and helps manage the oil and natural gas industries in Texas. He was the first African American to hold a statewide elected executive office in Texas history. Governor George W. Bush first appointed him to the commission in 1999. Williams then won elections in 2000, 2002, and 2008 to keep his seat. He resigned from the commission in 2011.
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Michael Williams' Career Journey
Michael Williams has had a long and varied career in public service. He worked as a federal prosecutor from 1984 to 1988. He was also an assistant district attorney in his hometown of Midland, Texas.
Early Government Roles
From 1988 to 1989, Williams served as a Special Assistant to the Attorney General at the United States Department of Justice. In 1988, he received a "Special Achievement Award" from the Attorney General. This award was for his work in convicting six members of the Ku Klux Klan on federal weapons charges.
Williams also worked as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Law Enforcement at the United States Department of the Treasury. In this role, he helped oversee several important agencies. These included the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and the U.S. Secret Service. He also oversaw the U.S. Customs Service and other groups from 1989 to 1990.
Working for Civil Rights
In 1990, U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush appointed Williams to a significant role. He became the Assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights at the United States Department of Education. This office, called the Office for Civil Rights, works to protect civil rights in education.
Leading the Railroad Commission
Williams made history as the first African-American to hold a statewide elected executive office in Texas. He was appointed to the Texas Railroad Commission in 1999 by then-Governor George W. Bush. This commission is important because it regulates the oil and natural gas industries in Texas.
Williams won elections in 2000, 2002, and 2008 to continue serving on the commission. He chaired the Texas Railroad Commission twice, from 1999 to 2003 and again from 2007 to 2009. He also helped lead the Governor's Clean Coal Technology Council.
In 2005, Governor Rick Perry asked Williams to lead Texas's efforts to help people after Hurricane Katrina. Williams also worked to improve the Railroad Commission's rules and technology.
Becoming Education Commissioner
On August 27, 2012, Governor Rick Perry appointed Michael Williams as the Texas Education Commissioner. This made him the first African-American Education Commissioner in Texas history.
Williams decided to step down from this role on October 15, 2015. He explained that the long daily drive from his home in Arlington, Texas to the state capital in Austin, Texas was too much. Governor Greg Abbott, who followed Rick Perry, named Mike Morath as the new Education Commissioner.
Political Activities and Campaigns
Michael Williams has been active in politics for many years. He spoke at the 2004 Republican National Convention, supporting President George W. Bush's re-election. He also spoke at the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota. There, he supported John McCain for president.
Running for Office
In 2000, Williams won a two-year term on the Railroad Commission without a major opponent. He defeated candidates from the Libertarian and Green Party.
In 2002, Williams won a full six-year term on the Commission. He received 54.8 percent of the votes.
He ran for re-election for a second full six-year term in 2008. He won the Republican nomination without opposition. Williams was re-elected with 52 percent of the vote, defeating his Democratic and Libertarian challengers.
Williams was also recognized for his effective use of social media. He received a Texas Social Media Award for his work.
2012 Congressional Race
In 2008, Michael Williams announced he might run for a position in the United States Senate. However, he later decided not to run for the Senate in 2011. Instead, he chose to seek a seat in the new Texas's 25th congressional district.
In the primary election for this House seat, Williams finished fifth among twelve candidates. He received 10.5 percent of the votes. Another candidate, Roger Williams, won that primary and later the general election.
Michael Williams' Personal Life
Michael Williams graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Midland in 1971. His parents were both public school teachers.
He attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. There, he earned both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree. He also received his law degree (Juris Doctor) from the USC Law School.
Williams is married to Donna Williams, and they live in Arlington, Texas. He is a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at the University of Texas.
Community Involvement
Williams has volunteered for many organizations. He was an Honorary State Chairman for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Texas. This group helps children through positive mentoring relationships.
He also served as general counsel for the Republican Party of Texas. He chaired the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission. Additionally, he was on the board of directors for the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, the Texas Public Policy Foundation, and Our Mother of Mercy Catholic School.
