Since being elected in 1992 as the first African-American Congresswoman from Georgia, Cynthia Ann McKinney has gained national and international renown as a tireless advocate for human rights, voting rights and holding government accountable.
McKinney's voting record reflects her philosophy that government should serve to provide uplift to local communities and the dignity of the human spirit. She is known as a passionate, intelligent, charismatic and effective member of the House of Representatives and of the Democratic Party.
After ten years of service, Congresswoman McKinney lost her seat in 2002 thanks to a concerted effort by Republicans to organise voters to "cross over" and vote against her in the Democratic Primaries. McKinney made a stunning comeback in 2004, a year in which Republicans took firm control of both Chambers of Congress and the White House, when she was elected once again to represent Georgia's Fourth District.
Upon returning to Congress, McKinney brought ten years of experience with her, but was denied her seniority status and her seat on the International Relations Committee.
This has not kept her from taking on challenging and controversial issues. On the first anniversary of the release of the 9/11 Commission Report, McKinney presided at a Congressional Briefing where dozens of experts and family members of 9/11 victims gave nine hours of testimony critiquing the Report's errors, omissions and recommendations.
She was defeated again in the 2006 Democratic primary where she paid the ultimate political price for daring to ask the question "what did the Bush Administration know and when did it know it about the tragic events of September 11th".
For more on Cynthia, visit www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com