Formerly: high school teacher; operated successful insurance agency for over 20 years. Former Mayor, Fort Worth, home to the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base and Lockheed Martin, when interest in national security began. Since 1997, US Congresswoman; Chairwoman, Appropriations Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations, Vice-Chair of Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. Member of the Board, International Republican Institute. Commissioner, Center for Strategic and International Studies. Member, Congressional Advisory Committee, National Endowment for Democracy. Recipient of awards and honours.