Vela, Filemón B. (Filemón Bartolomé), 1963-

Filemón Bartolomé Vela Jr. (born February 13, 1963) is an American lawyer and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he has served as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 34th congressional district since 2013.

Born in Harlingen, Texas and raised in nearby Brownsville, he attended Saint Joseph Academy in Brownsville before earning a B.A. from Georgetown University. During his time at Georgetown, he served as an intern at the Federal Judicial Center, the research and education agency of the federal judicial system. He also served as an intern in Solomon P. Ortiz's office in Washington, D.C. Vela went on to earn a J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law in 1987. He worked helping individuals seek justice in state and federal courts as an attorney for more than 20 years in South Texas.

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