Stephen F. Austin State University

U. S. Rep. Louie Gohmert will deliver the commencement address at the Stephen F. Austin State University graduation ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at William R. Johnson Coliseum.

Gohmert took office in January 2005 as congressman for the First District of Texas, which includes Angelina, Cass, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, and Upshur counties. He has received assignments to the House committees on Judiciary, Resources and Small Business.

Prior to being elected to serve in Congress, Gohmert was elected to three terms as district judge in Smith County. He subsequently was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to complete a term as chief justice of the 12th Court of Appeals.

Gohmert's judicial knowledge is valuable in his service on the House Committee on the Judiciary. The committee has jurisdiction over matters including constitutional issues, the federal courts, crime, law enforcement, and immigration. Gohmert will work on three subcommittees: the Subcommittee
on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims; the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law; and the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. He also will volunteer as a resource for the Court Rules and Intellectual Property Subcommittee.

The House Committee on Resources works to ensure America uses the affordable, domestic sources of energy. Gohmert will serve on two of its subcommittees: energy and mineral resources, and water and power. For the House Committee on Small Business, Gohmert will serve on the Regulatory Reform and Oversight Subcommittee.

Gohmert, a Mount Pleasant native, received his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University, where he was class president and served as a Brigade Commander of the Corps of Cadets. He also was class president while attending Baylor School of Law. He is a veteran, having served as captain in the U.S. Army.

More than 700 degrees will be awarded by SFA in December, including 647 bachelor's degrees, 104 master's degrees, and six doctorate degrees in education.