Bennie Thompson, a Democrat, has represented Mississippi's 2nd congressional district since 1993, making him the longest-serving African American elected official in Mississippi. He made history as the first Democrat and first African American to chair the House Homeland Security Committee, a position he held from 2007-2011 and 2019-2023. Thompson is the dean of Mississippi's congressional delegation.
January 28, 1948: Bennie Thompson was born
Bennie Gordon Thompson was born on January 28, 1948.
1968: Thompson Graduates from Tougaloo College
Bennie Thompson received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Tougaloo College in 1968.
1969: Thompson Begins Public Service as Alderman
Bennie Thompson's political career started in 1969 when he served as an alderman.
1972: Thompson Earns Master's Degree
In 1972, Bennie Thompson earned a Master of Science in educational administration from Jackson State University.
1973: Thompson Becomes Mayor of Bolton
Bennie Thompson was elected mayor of Bolton, Mississippi, in 1973.
1975: Thompson Participates in Ayers Case
Bennie Thompson was one of the original plaintiffs in the Ayers Case in 1975, which focused on ensuring adequate funding for predominantly black educational institutions in Mississippi.
1980: Thompson Elected to Hinds County Board of Supervisors
In 1980, Bennie Thompson was elected to the Hinds County Board of Supervisors.
March 30, 1993: Thompson Participates in Special Election Primary
Bennie Thompson participated in the primary election for Mississippi's 2nd congressional district on March 30, 1993.
1993: Thompson's Time on Hinds County Board Ends
Bennie Thompson's time on the Hinds County Board of Supervisors concluded in 1993.
1993: Thompson Elected to Congress
In 1993, Bennie Thompson was elected to represent Mississippi's 2nd congressional district.
1994: Thompson Wins Re-election
Bennie Thompson secured re-election to his congressional seat in 1994.
2000: Thompson Authors Legislation for Minority Health Center
In 2000, Bennie Thompson drafted legislation that led to the establishment of the National Center for Minority Health and Health Care Disparities.
September 11, 2001: September 11 Attacks
The September 11 attacks occurred on September 11, 2001.
2002: Thompson Faces Opposition in Election
Bennie Thompson faced notable opposition from journalist Clinton LeSueur in the 2002 election.
2002: Formation of the 9/11 Commission
In 2002, Congress created the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission) to investigate the September 11, 2001 attacks. This independent panel issued a detailed report 15 months later.
2004: Thompson Objects to 2004 Election Certification
Bennie Thompson was among the House Democrats who objected to the certification of the 2004 presidential election results in Ohio.
2004: Thompson Wins Re-election Again
Bennie Thompson was re-elected in 2004, despite facing opposition again from Clinton LeSueur.
2005: Thompson Advocates for Gulf Coast After Hurricanes
Following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, Bennie Thompson became a vocal advocate for the Gulf Coast region.
2005: Deficit Reduction Act Passed
The Deficit Reduction Act, which Bennie Thompson later challenged in court, was passed in 2005.
April 2006: Thompson Files Lawsuit Against George W. Bush
In April 2006, Bennie Thompson, along with John Conyers, filed a lawsuit against President George W. Bush and others, alleging constitutional violations in the enactment of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.
January 5, 2007: Thompson Introduces 9/11 Commission Recommendations Bill
On January 5, 2007, Bennie Thompson introduced H.R.1, "Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007", the first bill in the 110th Congress, aiming to put the 9/11 Commission's recommendations into action.
January 9, 2007: 9/11 Commission Recommendations Bill Passes House
Bennie Thompson's bill, H.R.1, successfully passed the House of Representatives on January 9, 2007.
July 27, 2007: Conference Report on H.R. 1 Passes House
The Conference Report on H.R. 1, the bill introduced by Bennie Thompson, passed the House overwhelmingly on July 27, 2007.
August 3, 2007: President Signs H.R. 1 Into Law
On August 3, 2007, President George W. Bush signed H.R. 1, the bill introduced by Bennie Thompson, into law.
2007: Thompson Becomes Chair of Homeland Security Committee
Bennie Thompson became the first Democrat and first African American to chair the House Committee on Homeland Security in 2007.
December 25, 2009: Attempted Terrorist Attack on Northwest Airlines Flight 253
On December 25, 2009, an individual allegedly attempted to detonate a bomb on Northwest Airlines Flight 253.
December 27, 2009: Thompson Calls for Halt to Yemen Plans
Following reports of a terrorist suspect with ties to Yemen, Bennie Thompson called for a pause on all plans related to Yemen on December 27, 2009.
2011: Thompson Becomes Only Democrat in Mississippi Delegation
In 2011, Bennie Thompson became the sole Democrat representing Mississippi in Congress.
2011: Thompson Represents Mississippi's Only Majority-Black District
Since 2011, Thompson has represented Mississippi's 2nd congressional district, the only majority-black district in the state, encompassing most of Jackson and a significant portion of the Mississippi Delta.
July 2014: Thompson Introduces Bill to Reform Classification System
Bennie Thompson, along with Senator Ron Wyden, introduced a bill in July 2014 to reform the security clearance system and reduce the volume of classified documents.
2019: Thompson Chairs Homeland Security Committee Again
Bennie Thompson once again assumed the role of chair of the House Homeland Security Committee in 2019.
April 1, 2020: Thompson Proposes Commission for Coronavirus Response
Bennie Thompson put forth a proposal on April 1, 2020, for the formation of a commission to examine the nation's response to the coronavirus pandemic.
2020: Permanent Chair of the 2020 DNC
Bennie Thompson served as the Permanent Chair of the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
January 7, 2021: Statement on January 6th Capitol Attack
On January 7, 2021, Bennie Thompson issued a statement regarding the January 6th Capitol attack, calling for a thorough investigation into the security failures and highlighting the threat of domestic terrorism.
February 16, 2021: NAACP Files Lawsuit Against Trump
On February 16, 2021, the NAACP, on behalf of Thompson, filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani, the Proud Boys, and the Oath Keepers, accusing them of inciting the violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th.
March 3, 2021: Thompson Votes Against For the People Act
Bennie Thompson cast the sole dissenting vote among House Democrats against the For the People Act on March 3, 2021, citing concerns from his constituents.
May 14, 2021: Introduction of H.R. 3233
On May 14, 2021, Thompson and Katko introduced H.R. 3233, aiming to establish a national commission to investigate the January 6th Capitol attack.
July 1, 2021: Appointment as Chair of January 6th Select Committee
On July 1, 2021, Nancy Pelosi appointed Thompson as chair of the US House Select Committee on the January 6th Attack, drawing on his national security expertise.
2021: Thompson Defends His 2004 Vote
As of 2021, Bennie Thompson continued to stand by his vote objecting to the 2004 election certification.
December 31, 2021: Deadline for January 6th Commission Report
H.R. 3233 set a deadline of December 31, 2021, for the national commission to complete its report on the January 6th Capitol attack.
2023: Thompson's Tenure as Chairman Ends
Bennie Thompson concluded his term as the chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security in 2023.