James Bacchus

Democrat Representative of Florida's 15th district

Representative
Florida, district 11
January 3, 1991 - January 3, 1993
Representative
Florida, district 15
January 5, 1993 - January 3, 1995

Congresses Served

House Terms

January 1, 1949 (76 years old)

Birthday

Served as a U.S. Representative from Florida from 1991 to 1995.
Founding member and twice chairman of the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) from 1995 to 2003.
Holds degrees from Vanderbilt University, Yale University, and Florida State University College of Law, where he was editor-in-chief of the FSU Law Review.
Worked as a reporter and columnist before entering politics, including for the Orlando Sentinel and the Sanford Herald.
Served in the United States Army, Army Reserve, Connecticut National Guard, and Florida National Guard from 1971 to 1977.
Held positions as Deputy Press Secretary, Chief Speechwriter, and special assistant to Florida Governor Reubin Askew.
Co-authored the “Sunshine Amendment” to the Florida Constitution promoting open and ethical government.
Actively involved in legislative initiatives related to space exploration, including support for the International Space Station and the Hubble Space Telescope repair mission.
Sponsored legislation focused on environmental conservation, including the establishment of wildlife refuges and river restoration efforts.
Supported trade initiatives such as the North American Free Trade Agreement and normal trade relations with China.
After Congress, continued involvement in international trade and dispute resolution, including serving on a Department of Defense panel reviewing the Walter Reed Army Medical Center neglect scandal.
Held the position of Chair of the Global Practice of Greenberg Traurig, P.A. and serves as a Distinguished University Professor of Global Affairs at the University of Central Florida.
Engaged in various global and environmental governance roles, including advisory positions related to climate change and international trade policy.