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J. C. Watts

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the U.S. Representative from Kentucky, seeJohn C. Watts.

J. C. Watts
Watts in September 2003
Chair of the House Republican Conference
In office
January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2003
LeaderDennis Hastert
Vice ChairTillie Fowler
Deborah Pryce
Preceded byJohn Boehner
Succeeded byDeborah Pryce
Member of theU.S. House of Representatives
fromOklahoma's4thdistrict
In office
January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2003
Preceded byDave McCurdy
Succeeded byTom Cole
Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner
In office
1991–1995
Preceded byJames B. Townsend
Succeeded byEd Apple
Personal details
Born
Julius Caesar Watts Jr.

(1957-11-18)November 18, 1957(age 66)
Eufaula, Oklahoma,U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Frankie Jones
​
(m.1977)​
Children6, includingTrey
EducationUniversity of Oklahoma(BA)
Football career
A football from the Oklahoma Sooners and signed by the team. Notable signatures include Billy Sims (1978 Heisman Trophy winner) and J. C. Watts. On the white quarter of the football an inscription to Ford was written in red.
Career information
Position(s)Quarterback
CollegeOklahoma
Career history
As player
1981–1986Ottawa Rough Riders
1986Toronto Argonauts
Honors

Julius Caesar Watts Jr.(born November 18, 1957) is an American politician, clergyman, and formerfootballplayer. Watts played as aquarterbackincollege footballfor theOklahoma Soonersand later played professionally in theCanadian Football League(CFL). He served in theU.S. House of Representativesfrom 1995 to 2003 as aRepublican,representingOklahoma's 4th congressional district.

Watts was born and raised inEufaula, Oklahoma,in a rural impoverished neighborhood. After being one of the first children to attend an integrated elementary school, he became a high schoolquarterbackand gained afootball scholarshipto theUniversity of Oklahoma.He graduated from college in 1981 with a degree in journalism and became a football player in the Canadian Football League until his retirement in 1986.

Watts became aBaptistminister and was elected in 1990 to theOklahoma Corporation Commissionas the first African-American in Oklahoma to win statewide office. He successfully ran for Congress in 1994 and was re-elected to three additional terms with increasing vote margins. Watts delivered the Republican response toBill Clinton's 1997State of the Union addressand was elected Chair of theHouse Republican Conferencein 1998. He retired in 2003 and turned to lobbying and business work, also occasionally serving as a political commentator.

Early life and career

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Watts was born inEufaulainMcIntosh County, Oklahoma[1]to J. C. "Buddy" Watts Sr., and Helen Watts (d. 1992).[2]His father was a Baptist minister, cattle trader,[3]the first black police officer in Eufaula,[4]and a member of the Eufaula City Council.[5]His mother was a homemaker.[6]Watts is the fifth of six children and grew up in a poor ruralAfrican-American neighborhood.[7]He was one of two black children who integrated the Jefferson Davis Elementary School in Eufaula and the first blackquarterbackat Eufaula High School.[4]

While in high school, Watts fathered a daughter with a white woman, causing a scandal.[8]Their families decided against aninterracial marriagebecause of contemporary racial attitudes and Watts' family provided for the child until she could be adopted by Watts' uncle,Wade Watts,a Baptist minister, civil rights leader and head of the Oklahoma division of theNAACP.[8]

He graduated from high school in 1976 and attended theUniversity of Oklahomaon afootball scholarship.[1][9]In 1977, Watts married Frankie Jones, an African-American woman with whom he had fathered a second daughter during high school.[6][8]

Watts began his college football career as the second-string quarterback and left college twice, but his father convinced him to return, and Watts became starting quarterback of theSoonersin 1979 and led them to consecutiveOrange Bowlvictories.[5]Watts graduated from college in 1981 with aBachelor of Arts[1]in journalism.[5]Watts was selected by theNew York Jetsof theNational Football Leaguein the eighth round of the1981 NFL Draft.The Jets tried Watts at several positions and could not guarantee that he would play quarterback, so he opted to sign with theCFL'sOttawa Rough Riders.As Ottawa's quarterback, he helped the team reach the1981 Grey Cupgame, which they nearly won in an upset.[5]Watts stayed with the Rough Riders from 1981 to 1985 and played a season for theToronto Argonautsbefore retiring in 1986.[5][10]

Watts returned to Oklahoma and became a youth minister inDel Cityand was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1993.[6]He is ateetotaler.[11]Watts opened a highway construction company and later cited discontent with government regulation of his business as reason to become a candidate for public office.[6]Watts' family was affiliated with theDemocratic Partyand his father and uncle Wade Watts were active in the party, but it did not help Watts when he ran for public office and he changed his party affiliation in 1989, months before his first statewide race.[5][9]Watts later stated he had first considered changing parties when, as a journalism student, he covered the1980 U.S. Senate campaignofRepublicanDon Nickles.[6]Watts' father and uncle continued to strongly oppose the Republican party, but supported him.[2][12]Watts won election to theOklahoma Corporation Commissionin November 1990[7]for a six-year term[2]as the first African-American elected to statewide office in Oklahoma.[13]He served as a member of the commission from 1990 to 1995 and as its chairman from 1993 to 1995.[1]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Congressional photo
Watts withPresidentGeorge H. W. BushandDavid Borenin 1997

1994 congressional election

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Watts ran for Congress in 1994 to succeedDave McCurdy,who had announced his retirement from theHouse of Representativesto run for theSenate.He positioned himself as both afiscalandsocial conservative,favoring thedeath penalty,school prayer,abalanced budget amendmentandwelfare reform,and opposingabortion,gay rights,and reduceddefense spending.[6]After a hard-fought primary campaign[3]against state representative Ed Apple, Watts won 49 percent to Apple's 48 percent of the vote in August 1994, and 52 percent in the resultingrun-off electionin September 1994 with the support of RepresentativeJack Kempand actor andNational Rifle AssociationpresidentCharlton Heston.[6]Watts started his race against the Democratic nominee, David Perryman, a white lawyer fromChickasha,with a wide lead in several early polls and 92 percent name recognition in one poll.[13]Watts hosted formerPresidentGeorge H. W. Bush,U.S. SenatorBob Dole,andMinority WhipNewt Gingrich[6]and focused onwelfare reformand the necessity ofcapital formationandcapital gains,as well as a reduction in thecapital gains taxas beneficial for urban blacks.[13]Some voters were expected to not vote for Watts because of race, but the editor of a local political newspaper argued Watts' established Christian conservative image and his popularity as a football player would help him win.[13]OnNovember 8, 1994,Watts was elected with 52 percent of the vote[14]as the first African-American Republican U.S. Representative from south of theMason–Dixon linesinceReconstruction.[15]He andGary Franksof Connecticut were the only two African-American Republicans in the House.[15]Oklahoma's Fourth District at the time was 90 percent white and had been represented by Democrats since 1922.[5]

As Congressman, Watts was assigned to theArmed Services Committeeand theFinancial Services Committee.[6]Watts emphasized moral absolutes and was considered in line with Republican SpeakerNewt Gingrich's agenda,[15]theContract with America,[6]and at the time was the only African-American who did not join theCongressional Black Caucus.[11]He initially supported endingaffirmative action,declaring inadequate education the main obstacle for racial equality, but subsequently opposed legislation banning the practice for the federal government.[6]Watts focused on promoting his party, attending NAACP meetings and meeting with representatives from historically black colleges.[6]In 1995, Watts was named national co-chairman for thepresidential campaignof RepublicanBob Dole.[9]

Reelection and successive terms

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Watts' 1996 reelection campaign featured state representativeEd Crockeras the Democratic candidate[16]in a negative campaign.[2]Crocker questioned Watts' business dealings because of tax issues for a real estate company of which Watts was the principal owner, and whether he was paying child support for one of his daughters born out of wedlock.[16]Crocker suggested Watts might use drugs or sanction their use because he declined to participate in a voluntary drug screening in the House of Representatives.[17]Watts denied the charge, took the test, and accused Crocker ofdraft dodgingduring theVietnam Warand later living at the "center of the West Coast drug culture."[17]Watts was given a featured speaking role at the1996 Republican National Convention[17]and was re-elected with 58 percent of the vote in the1996 U.S. House election.[14]

Following the election, Watts switched from the Financial Services Committee to theHouse Transportation Committee.[6]He was the only African-American Republican in the House and was chosen to deliver the Republican reply to PresidentBill Clinton'sState of the Union addressin February 1997,[4]the youngest congressman and first African-American to do so.[5]In his response, Watts focused on providing a positive vision of the Republican Party and advocated deficit and tax reduction and faith-based values.[4]Watts had previously spoken toThe Washington Timesand created controversy by criticizing "race-hustling poverty pimps"[4]as keeping African-Americans dependent on government. These remarks were viewed as critical of activistJesse JacksonandWashington, D.C. mayorMarion Barry,andJesse Jackson Jr.demanded a public apology.[4]Watts stated he did not speak about Barry and Jackson but about "some of the leadership in the black community."[4]

In his 1998 reelection campaign against Democrat Ben Odom, Watts faced accusations about debts, unpaid taxes and over actions in a federal bribery investigation in 1991, where he arranged to receive campaign contributions from a lobbyist for telephone companies that were investigated during Watts' membership on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.[7]Odom used portions of a transcript to try to discredit Watts, and the accusations were widely publicized in Oklahoma.[7]Watts argued he had been exonerated from any criminal conduct and that his financial problems were a result of losses for Oklahoma oil and gas businesses during the 1980s.[7]He was re-elected with 62 percent of the vote.[14]

From 1995 until 1997, Watts was only one of two black Republicans in Congress (along withGary FranksofConnecticut). From 1997 until 2003, Watts was the only black Republican Congressman. There would not be another until the elections ofTim ScottandAllen Westin 2010.

Leadership position and retirement

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In Congress, Watts had established himself as a "devoted conservative."[18]He had a lifetime 94 percent rating from theAmerican Conservative Union[19]and a lifetime "liberal quotient" of 1 percent fromAmericans for Democratic Action,[20]and was regarded as a team player by Republicans.[11]Watts was electedHouse Republican ConferenceChairin 1998, replacingJohn Boehner,[21]after a vote of 121–93.[6]Watts assumed the position in 1999[1]and was the first African-American Republican elected to a leadership post.[11]

President Bush bows his head as Watts leads a prayer before the swearing-in ceremony forRod Paige(right) asSecretary of Educationon January 24, 2001.

In his leadership position, Watts opposed government regulations and President Clinton's attempt to restore the ability of theFood and Drug Administrationto regulate tobacco products.[22]He voted to impeach Bill Clinton,[2]was appointed by SpeakerDennis Hastertto lead a group of House Republicans to investigate cybersecurity issues,[3]and became a member of a presidential exploratory committee forGeorge W. Bush.[23]Watts argued for using tax reduction to improve education, job training and housing in poor urban and rural settings, and advocated letting religious institutions carry out the work.[3]Watts worked to make his party more inclusive, promoted African trade, supported historically black colleges and universities,[18]and was opposed to federal funding of embryonicstem cellresearch.[24]

To keep a majority of House seats in the2000 election,Watts advised Republicans to moderate their language and criticized the party for creating the perception it favored a view of "family values that excluded single mothers."[3]Watts opposed theConfederate battle flagflying over theSouth Carolina State Houseand advised Republicans to go slowly on opposing racial quotas.[3]By then, Watts had become involved in a contest with other members of the Republican House leadership, includingTom DeLay,over control of the party's message and nearly announced retirement in early February 2000, due to strains on his family, who remained in Oklahoma during his tenure in Washington,[6]but changed his mind after consultations with constituents, Hastert, and his family.[3]He ran, despite an earlier pledge to serve not more than three terms.[25]Watts won re-nomination with 81 percent against James Odom[26]and was re-elected by his largest margin yet against Democratic candidate Larry Weatherford.[14]

After George W. Bush took office as president, Watts co-sponsored a bill to create tax incentives for charitable donations and allow religious charities to receive federal money for social programs,[27]and proposed several new tax reductions in addition to Bush's tax cut plan,[28]targeting theestate taxandmarriage penalty.[29]Watts was one of ten congressional leaders taken to an undisclosed location following theSeptember 11 attacks.[30]

In 2002, Watts stated he would not seek reelection, citing a desire to spend more time with his family,[18]but stated the decision was difficult becauseRosa Parksasked him to stay.[31]Republicans argued Watts complained about the party message and the cancellation of an artillery system in his district by the Bush Administration, which Watts denied.[18]Watts supported the candidacy ofTom Cole,who won the election to fill his seat.[32]

Post-congressional career

[edit]
Watts meeting with Secretary of StateColin Powellon September 2, 2003
Watts speaking at an event hosted by the Iowa Republican Party in October 2015.

After he left Congress, Watts was appointed by President Bush to be a member of the Board of Visitors to theUnited States Military Academyfor a term expiring December 30, 2003.[33]Watts founded a lobbying and consulting firm, J. C. Watts Companies, in Washington, D.C., to represent corporations and political groups and focus on issues he championed in Congress.[34]TheJohn Deere Companyhired Watts aslobbyistin 2006 and Watts later invested in a Deere dealership and sought financial support from United States agencies and others for a farm-related project inSenegal.[35]Watts wrote an autobiography, wrote regular opinion columns for theLas Vegas Review-Journal,[36]and joined the boards of several companies, includingDillard's,[37]Terex,[38]Clear Channel Communications,[39]andCSX Transportation,[citation needed]and served as chairman ofGOPAC.[40]

Watts supported theIraq Warin 2003, stating: "America did not become the leader of the free world by looking the other way to heinous atrocities and unspeakable evils."[41]He was later hired as a political commentator byCNN[35]and following the2006 House election,Watts argued the Republican Party had lost seats because it failed to address the needs of urban areas and did not offer a positive message. He stated: "We lost our way, pure and simple."[42]

In 2008, Watts announced he was developing acable news networkwith the help ofComcast,focusing on an African-American audience,[43]and that he considered voting forBarack Obama,criticizing the Republican party for failing in outreach to the African-American community.[44]Reports showed he contributed toJohn McCain,but not to Obama.[45]

Watts considered running to succeedBrad HenryasGovernor of Oklahomain the2010 gubernatorial election,[46]but declined in May 2009, citing his business and contractual obligations.[47]

On April 7, 2015, Watts joinedU.S. SenatorRand Paulon stage duringPaul's announcement speechfor U.S. president.[48]

For most of 2016, Watts served as the president and CEO ofFeed the Children(FTC). The board of directors announced his appointment on January 21.[49]On November 15, the organization and Watts announced that he was no longer serving in those roles.[50]The following April, Wattssuedboth FTC and its board of directors for wrongful termination. According to Watts, he was fired after uncovering rampant financial mismanagement at the charity and notifying thestate's Attorney General Officeof potentially illegal practices. Feed The Children denied there was any validity to Watts' claims and proceeded to file acounter-suitagainst him. The case was settled in 2019, after FTC agreed to drop their counter-suit and pay Watts $1 million to resolve all his claims against them.[51]

In 2019 Watts began plans to start theBlack News Channel,[52]which launched on February 10, 2020, as a 24-hour news channel aimed at an African American audience.[53]The channel went out of business in April 2022, in the face of lagging cable and satellite provider subscriptions and an unsuccessful 2021 revamp that added commentators at odds with Watts's views.[54]

Writings

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  • Watts, J. C. Jr.; Watson, Chriss (2002).What Color is a Conservative? My Life and My Politics.New York: HarperCollins.ISBN0-06-093240-6.

Electoral history

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Oklahoma's 4th congressional district:Results 1994–2000[14]
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct 4th Party Party Votes Pct
1994 David Perryman 67,237 43% J. C. Watts Jr. 80,251 52% Bill Tiffee Independent 7,913 5%
1996 Ed Crocker 73,950 40% J. C. Watts Jr. 106,923 58% Robert Murphy Libertarian 4,500 2%
1998 Ben Odom 52,107 38% J. C. Watts Jr. 83,272 62%
2000 Larry Weatherford 54,808 31% J. C. Watts Jr. 114,000 65% Susan Ducey Reform 4,897 3% Keith B. Johnson Libertarian 1,979 1%

Football statistics

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J.C. Watts' stats with the Oklahoma Sooners
Passing Rushing
YEAR CMP ATT CMP% YDS TD INT ATT YDS AVG TD
1977 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0
1978 13 38 34.2 227 2 4 42 204 4.9 6
1979 39 81 48.2 785 4 5 123 455 3.7 10
1980 35 78 44.9 905 2 10 163 663 4.1 18
Totals 87 197 44.2 1,917 8 19 328 1,322 4.0 34
J.C. Watts' stats in the CFL
Passing Rushing
YEAR TEAM CMP ATT CMP% YDS TD INT RAT ATT YDS AVG TD
1981 OTT 77 142 54.2 957 3 11 50.1 — — — —
1983 OTT 175 358 48.9 3,089 18 20 72.3 — — — —
1984 OTT 189 360 52.5 3,052 21 23 74.0 61 357 5.9 1
1985 OTT 236 439 53.8 2,975 12 25 60.5 106 710 6.7 1
1986 OTT 66 127 52.0 864 7 9 62.6 — — — —
TOR 108 182 59.3 1,477 5 5 83.1 — — — —
Totals — 851 1,608 52.9 12,414 66 93 67.9 346 2,312 6.7 —
Source:[55][10]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^abcde"J. C. Watts, Jr.".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  2. ^abcdeFulwood, Sam III (February 22, 1999)."Republicans Cast Watts as Leader, Healer".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  3. ^abcdefgSchmitt, Eric (February 21, 2000)."Public Lives; A Rising Republican Star, and Very Much His Own Man".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  4. ^abcdefgSeelye, Katharine Q. (February 5, 1997)."G.O.P., After Fumbling in '96, Turns to Orator for Response".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  5. ^abcdefghRhoden, William C. (December 17, 2000)."Sports of The Times; Watts Now Excels on a Different Field".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  6. ^abcdefghijklmno"J. C. Watts Jr".Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Archived fromthe originalon February 15, 2013.
  7. ^abcdeThomas, Jo (November 16, 1998)."Rising Congressional Leader Experienced in Self-Defense".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  8. ^abcFineman, Howard (November 8, 1997)."Four Eyes On The Prize".Newsweek.Archived fromthe originalon September 28, 2007.
  9. ^abcHolmes, Steven A. (August 6, 1995)."2 Black G.O.P. Lawmakers in House Differ Slightly on Affirmative Action".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  10. ^abMullick, Rajeev."History >> CFL Legends >> J.C. Watts".CFL.ca.Archived fromthe originalon October 14, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 16,2013.
  11. ^abcdStout, David (November 19, 1998)."The Republican Transition: Man in the News – Julius Caesar Watts Jr.; A Republican of Many Firsts and Yet a Team Player".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  12. ^Waldman, Amy (October 1996)."The GOP's Great Black Hope".The Washington Monthly.Archived fromthe originalon December 1, 2008.RetrievedMay 16,2009.
  13. ^abcdVerhovek, Sam Howe (October 7, 1994)."The 1994 Campaign: The Republicans; More Black Candidates Find Places on Republican Ballots".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  14. ^abcde"Election Statistics".Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Archived fromthe originalon July 25, 2007.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  15. ^abcKuharsky, Paul (January 28, 1995)."Super Bowl XXIX; Former Football Stars Bring Game Plans to Capital".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  16. ^abHolmes, Steven A. (September 26, 1996)."The States and the Issues".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  17. ^abcLewis, Neil A. (October 8, 1996)."The States and the Issues".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  18. ^abcdMitchell, Alison (July 2, 2002)."Congress's Sole Black Republican Is Retiring".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  19. ^"2002 U.S. House Ratings".American Conservative Union. Archived fromthe originalon February 9, 2008.RetrievedMarch 18,2008.Lifetime average is given.
  20. ^"Voting Records".Americans for Democratic Action.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.Scores for years 1994 through 1997 were 0, 1998 as 10, and 1999 through 2002 were 0, with an average of 1.25 percent.
  21. ^Seelye, Katharine Q. (November 19, 1998)."The Republican Transition: The Overview; Mix of Old and New Is to Lead House G.O.P."The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  22. ^Clymer, Adam (March 26, 2000)."Clinton Urges Giving F.D.A. Oversight Of Tobacco".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  23. ^Berke, Richard L. (March 8, 1999)."Bush Tests Presidential Run With a Flourish".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  24. ^Hall, Mimi (July 9, 2001)."Stem-cell issue splits Republicans".USA Today.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  25. ^"Oklahoma GOP Rep. Watts to run again, despite earlier term limits pledge".CNN. January 31, 2000. Archived fromthe originalon February 13, 2010.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  26. ^"Primary Election Results 8/22/00".Oklahoma State Election Board. Archived fromthe originalon February 2, 2009.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  27. ^Becker, Elizabeth (March 18, 2001)."Bill on Church Aid Proposes Tax Incentives for Giving".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  28. ^Rosenbaum, David E. (March 15, 2001)."Republicans, In New Tactic, Offer Increase In Tax Breaks".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  29. ^Page, Susan; Keen, Judy (December 13, 2000)."Next chapter: Will Bush be able to govern?".USA Today.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  30. ^Raasch, Chuck; Abrams, Doug (September 11, 2001)."Top congressional leaders rushed to secure location".Gannett Company.USA Today.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  31. ^Waller, Douglas (July 10, 2002)."10 Questions For J.C. Watts".Time.Archived fromthe originalon August 21, 2008.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  32. ^Jenkins, Ron (March 3, 2009)."Watts' Capitol visit stirs speculation".The Edmond Sun. Associated Press. Archived fromthe originalon January 21, 2013.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  33. ^"President Bush Announced His Intention to Nominate"(Press release). Office of the Press Secretary. January 9, 2003.RetrievedMarch 19,2008.
  34. ^"Politics and the Economy; Former Rep. Watts Opens Consulting Firm".The New York Times.January 8, 2003.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  35. ^abMeier, Barry (November 11, 2006)."Ex-Quarterback Thrives as Lobbyist".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  36. ^Watts, J. C. (March 8, 2009)."We'll all pay for this massive spending plan".Las Vegas Review-Journal.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  37. ^"Dillard's, Inc. Announces Election of J.C. Watts, Jr. to Board of Directors".Business Wire.Dun & Bradstreet. March 4, 2003.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  38. ^"Terex Corporation Elects Former Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr. to Its Board".Business Wire.Dun & Bradstreet. January 8, 2003.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  39. ^"Terex Corporation Elects Former Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr. to Its Board".Business Wire. February 3, 2003.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  40. ^"GOPAC Chairman J.C. Watts, Jr. Travels to Mississippi for GOP Campaign Events on Tuesday, September 30".U.S. Newswire. September 23, 2003.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.[dead link]
  41. ^Espo, David (October 1, 2008)."Analysis: A vote with unforeseen consequences?".USA Today.Associated Press.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  42. ^Wolf, Richard (December 7, 2006)."Republicans of '94 revolution reflect on '06".USA Today.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  43. ^Andrews, Helena (July 17, 2008)."Watts launches African-American channel".The Politico.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  44. ^"Black Republicans consider voting for Obama".USA Today.Associated Press. June 14, 2008.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  45. ^Jones, Del (September 11, 2008)."Board diversity expands political spectrum".USA Today.RetrievedMarch 19,2009.
  46. ^McNutt, Michael (May 7, 2009)."J.C. Watts vows to decide soon on run".The Oklahoman.RetrievedMay 18,2009.
  47. ^Hoberock, Barbara (May 22, 2009)."Watts will not run for governor".Tulsa World.RetrievedMay 23,2009.
  48. ^Killough, Ashley (April 7, 2015)."Rand Paul: 'I'm Putting Myself Forward as a Candidate for President'".CNN.RetrievedApril 10,2015.The speakers included J.C. Watts, a former congressman who's African-American; state Sen. Ralph Alvarado, who's Hispanic; local pastor Jerry Stephenson, who's African American and a former Democrat; and University of Kentucky student Lauren Bosler.
  49. ^"Feed the Children names J.C. Watts new president and CEO".Archived fromthe originalon May 25, 2016.RetrievedMay 16,2016.
  50. ^"Leadership Change at Feed the Children".Archived fromthe originalon December 1, 2016.RetrievedNovember 30,2016.
  51. ^"Feed the Children settles lawsuit with former president".The Oklahoman.July 24, 2019.RetrievedDecember 2,2020.
  52. ^"Black News Channel Will Launch This Fall".TVSpy.April 26, 2019.RetrievedJune 6,2019.
  53. ^Former lawmaker, cable veteran launch 24-hour Black News Channel.UPI,February 10, 2020.
  54. ^Battaglio, Stephen (March 25, 2022)."Shad Khan's Black News Channel is shutting down".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedMarch 25,2022.
  55. ^"J.C. Watts, qb".TotalFootballStats.Archived fromthe originalon March 19, 2013.RetrievedFebruary 16,2013.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of theU.S. House of Representatives
fromOklahoma's 4th congressional district
1995–2003 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Response to the State of the Union address
1997 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chair of the House Republican Conference
1999–2003 		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence(ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative 		Succeeded byas Former US Representative
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=J._C._Watts&oldid=1240393120"