Congresswoman Brenda L. Lawrence

represented Michigan’s 14th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2015 until 2023. During her time in Congress, she served as Co-Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, 2nd Vice Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and Co-Chair and Founder of the Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations. She was also the Vice Chair of the powerful House Appropriations Committee and served on the House Committee on Government Oversight and Reform. Congresswoman Lawrence’s elected public service spanned over 30 years. She was the first African American and the first woman to be elected as Mayor of the City of Southfield. She previously served on the Southfield City Council as well as the Southfield Public School Board of Education. Before she began her career in public service, the Congresswoman had a notable career with the U.S. Postal Service. She was born and raised in Detroit.

Congressman Bob Goodlatte

represented the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 to 2019. A continuously-serving member of the House Judiciary Committee, he was elected as the Committee’s Chairman in the 113th Congress. In the 108-109th Congresses, he served as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. Congressman Goodlatte furthermore made a name for himself as a leader on internet and high-tech issues, and he served as a Deputy Whip. His service to the people of the Sixth District began in 1977 when he became District Director for former Congressman Caldwell Butler. He later founded his own private law practice in Roanoke and was a partner in the law firm of Bird, Kinder and Huffman. Since leaving Congress, Bob Goodlatte has been active on the board of directors for the United States Association of Former Members of Congress. In addition, he is a consultant for companies, trade associations and nonprofits presently focusing primarily on intellectual property and civil liberties issues.