Katherine Harris
Katherine Harris
Full Name and Common Aliases
Katherine Harris is best known as an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Florida's 13th congressional district from 2003 to 2007.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on April 5, 1957, in Key West, Florida, Katherine Harris passed away on February 25, 2021.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Katherine Harris was an American politician who held various roles throughout her career. She served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007, representing Florida's 13th congressional district. Prior to entering politics, Harris worked as a lawyer and real estate agent.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Key West, Florida, Katherine Harris was raised by her parents, James and Margaret Harris. Her father served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Harris graduated from William J. Brennan High School in 1975 before attending the University of Florida on a scholarship. She graduated with a degree in elementary education.
Major Accomplishments
Katherine Harris's most notable accomplishments include her involvement in the presidential election of 2000, where she served as Secretary of State for Florida and played a pivotal role in certifying the state's electoral votes for George W. Bush. Her tenure as U.S. Representative included service on various committees, such as the House Intelligence Committee.
Notable Works or Actions
As Secretary of State, Harris oversaw the certification of the 2000 presidential election results, which led to controversy due to concerns about voter disenfranchisement in predominantly African American communities in Florida. She also served as a member of the Bush-Cheney transition team in 2001 and held various leadership positions within the Republican Party.
Impact and Legacy
Katherine Harris's legacy is marked by both significant accomplishments and controversies surrounding her involvement in the 2000 presidential election. Critics have argued that her actions in certifying the electoral votes disenfranchised many voters, particularly African Americans, while supporters credit her with helping to ensure a smooth transition of power.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Katherine Harris is widely quoted and remembered due to her role in the 2000 presidential election. Her actions as Secretary of State raised questions about voter disenfranchisement and the integrity of the electoral process. As a U.S. Representative, she represented Florida's 13th congressional district from 2003 to 2007 and served on various committees.
Katherine Harris's story serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in high-stakes politics and the lasting impact that individual decisions can have on society.
Quotes by Katherine Harris
If you're not electing Christians, then in essence you are going to legislate sin.
If Al Gore had allowed us and if the Florida Supreme Court had not intervened and rewritten the law, which they're not supposed to do, we could have certified, which is a mere procedural action, and then after that, they could have petitioned any justice for a recount statewide with uniform standards.
And if we are the ones not actively involved in electing those godly men and women and if people aren’t involved in helping godly men in getting elected than we’re going to have a nation of secular laws. That’s not what our founding fathers intended and that’s certainly isn’t what God intended.
If you’re not electing Christians then in essence you are going to legislate sin.
So when we start talking about the state and all those that are so important and engaged and supportive around Florida, we’ve gotten overwhelming support, and it’s so exciting.
We’re not going to pay attention to the silliness and the petty comments. And quite frankly, women have joined me in this effort, and so it’s not about appearances. It’s about effectiveness.
The Bible says we are to be salt and light. And salt and light means not just in the church and not just as a teacher or as a pastor or a banker or a lawyer, but in government and we have to have elected officials in government and we have to have the faithful in government and over time, that lie we have been told, the separation of church and state, people have internalized, thinking that they needed to avoid politics and that is so wrong because God is the one who chooses our rulers.
This is about Floridians saying whats most important to them and making sure that we create an agenda that we can drive and deliver back in Washington, D.C. So its very exciting.