WASHINGTON, July 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, one of the nation's leading research and public policy institutions, today announced the election of former Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr. to its Board of Governors.

Mr. Watts, who is the chairman of the J.C. Watts Companies in Washington, DC, served in Congress from 1995 to 2002, and in 1998 was selected by his peers to serve as chairman of the Republican Conference, the fourth-ranking leadership position in the majority party.  While a member of the House he served on the Armed Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Banking Committees, as well as the Select Committee on Homeland Security.  He co-authored the American Community Renewal and New Markets Act, which President Clinton signed into law in 2000, and was the author of President Bush's faith-based initiative, the Community Solutions Act of 2001. He also developed legislation with Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) to establish a Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture.

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