Cuellar, Henry, 1955-

Enrique Roberto "Henry" Cuellar (born September 19, 1955) is an American lawyer, educator, and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he has served as the U.S. Representative from Texas's 28th congressional district since 2005.

Born in Laredo, Texas, he graduated from J. W. Nixon High School before earning an A.A. from Laredo Community College, a B.A. from Georgetown University, a J.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, and an M.A. from Texas A&M International University. Cuellar opened his own law firm in Laredo in 1981, and became a licensed customs broker in 1983. From 1984 to 1986 he taught at Texas A&M International University as an adjunct professor of international commercial law. Cuellar was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1987 to 2001; during his 14 years as a state representative, he served in leadership positions on the House Appropriations, Higher Education, and Calendar committees. In 2001, Governor Rick Perry appointed Cuellar secretary of state of Texas. He served in the position for eight months. In 2002, Cuellar challenged Republican incumbent Henry Bonilla in Texas's 23rd congressional district, losing by five points.

After most of Laredo, Texas was redistricted into the 28th congressional district, represented by Democrat Ciro Rodriguez, Cuellar challenged Rodriguez, narrowly defeating the incumbent in the Democratic primary and easily winning the general election. Cuellar is a moderate and is considered one of the most conservative representatives in the Democratic caucus. As a Congressman, his legislative principles are based on the belief that education, family values and hard work should open doors to new opportunities for all Americans. Cuellar serves as the only Texas Democrat on the powerful U.S. House Appropriations Committee. He is the Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, while also serving on the Defense Subcommittee and the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. Congressman Cuellar was named Chief Deputy Whip for the 117th Congress, where he works in a bipartisan manner to serve the American people.