Personal Information

• Born on December 21, 1947 in San Mateo, California
• Married to John Marshall Collins
• Mother of two children, Sheila and John Collins

Education

• K-12 public schools, Palo Alto, California
• B.A., Political Science, Stanford University, 1970
• J.D., cum laude, University of Santa Clara School of Law, 1975

Professional Career

• Served as Staff Assistant to her predecessor, Congressman Don Edwards, 1970-1978; Worked on impeachment proceedings, the Equal Rights Amendment, and creation of the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge in the South San Francisco Bay
• Practiced immigration law as a partner in the firm of Webber & Lofgren, 1978-1980
• Taught immigration law at University of Santa Clara School of Law, 1977-1980
• Served on Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, 1981-1994

U.S. Congress

• Elected in 1994 as only freshman Democrat from west of the Rocky Mountains
• Chair of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics) 
• Serves on Committee on the Judiciary:
  • Chair of Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law
  • Subcommittee on Administrative Law
• Serves on Committee on Homeland Security:
  • Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism
• Serves on Committee on House Administration
  • Chair of Subcommittee on Elections
• Serves as Chair of the 33 Member California Democratic Congressional Delegation