Borris Miles

Borris L. Miles
Member of the Texas Senate
from the 13th district
Assumed office
January 10, 2017
Preceded byRodney Ellis
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 146th district
In office
January 11, 2011 – January 10, 2017
Preceded byAl Edwards
Succeeded byShawn Thierry
In office
January 9, 2007 – January 13, 2009
Preceded byAl Edwards
Succeeded byAl Edwards
Personal details
Born (1965-10-29) October 29, 1965 (age 59)
Sunnyside, Houston, Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseCydonii Fairfax Miles
Residence(s)Houston, Texas, U.S.
Alma materSam Houston State University (BS)
Occupation
Signature
WebsiteOfficial website

Borris L. Miles (born October 29, 1965), is a Democratic politician from Texas. He has represented District 13 in the Texas Senate since winning election in November 2016. He is a former member of the Texas House of Representatives, where he represented District 146, which encompasses parts of Harris County, Texas, including Sunnyside, Houston, and Third Ward, Houston.[1]

Texas House of Representatives

Miles was first elected to serve as the State Representative for District 146 in November 2006. He was re-elected in November 2010, and was sworn back into the House of Representatives in January 2011 and again in January 2013.[2] Miles' next term, in the 84th legislative session, began in January 2015.[3]

Miles was named a "Star of the 2011 Legislative Session"[4] by the Texas Classroom Teachers Association.

As a member of the Agriculture & Livestock Committee, he authored and passed bills to aid in the advancement of urban farm microenterprises. Miles authored and passed HB 2994,[5] a bill designed to provide financial assistance to urban agriculture research facilities, cooperatives, and small agricultural farms and businesses.

In the 83rd Texas Legislative Session, Miles was appointed to the Elections[6] and Licensing & Administrative Procedures[7] committees by Speaker Joe Straus.

Personal life

Miles is a resident of Houston, Texas. He grew up in Sunnyside, Houston, where he attended Yates High School. After high school, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice and criminal science from Sam Houston State University.[8] Miles is married to Cydonni Fairfax Miles. Miles is a member of the Theta Mu chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.[3]

Miles conceived the Hip Hop 4 HIV program in 2007.[9] The program was designed to combat the rising AIDS epidemic in the African American and Latino communities. Radio station 97.9 The Box[10] and the City of Houston put on a free hip hop concert for those willing to be tested for HIV.

Miles has sickle cell anemia.[11]

Deadly conduct allegations

In April 2008, Miles was indicted on two counts of deadly conduct. The first charge came after Miles allegedly pulled a gun on a Texas Southern University regent and his wife during a Houston Rockets game.

The second charge involved a man who pressed charges against Miles after Miles allegedly crashed a party at a hotel, forcibly kissed a woman, and threatened a local businessman while brandishing a weapon. Miles allegedly told the man "You don't know what I'm capable of doing." In a January 2009 trial, Miles was acquitted on both counts.[12][13]

Sexual harassment allegations

In December 2017, The Daily Beast published an article containing numerous sexual harassment allegations against Miles.[12] After the publication of the article, Democratic State Senator Sylvia Garcia called for an investigation into the allegations.[14]

References

  1. ^ "House District 146" (PDF).
  2. ^ "Simpson Withdraws, Straus Re-elected by Acclamation". The Texas Tribune. 2013-01-08. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  3. ^ a b "State Sen. Borris L. Miles". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  4. ^ "Stars of the 2011 Legislative Sessions | Texas Classroom Teachers Association". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  5. ^ "Bill Text: TX HB2994 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Enrolled". LegiScan. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  6. ^ "Texas Legislature Online - Committee Membership". Capitol.state.tx.us. 2013-01-08. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  7. ^ "Texas Legislature Online - Committee Membership". Capitol.state.tx.us. 2013-01-08. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  8. ^ "Texas House of Representatives : Representative Thierry, Shawn". house.texas.gov. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  9. ^ "Hip Hop for HIV 2012 | 97.9 the Beat". Archived from the original on 2012-10-04. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  10. ^ KBXX (8 July 2010). "HIP HOP 4 HIV Testing Locations | 97.9 The Box". Theboxhouston.com. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
  11. ^ Freshman Houston lawmaker draws fire for behavior, by Allan Turner, in the Houston Chronicle; published February 4, 2008; retrieved December 7, 2017
  12. ^ a b Messer, Olivia (December 6, 2017). "'You Want to F*ck With Me Tonight?': Horror Stories from the Texas Capitol". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  13. ^ Rogers, Brian (January 15, 2009). "Former rep Miles found not guilty of deadly conduct". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  14. ^ Silver, Johnathan (December 7, 2017). "Houston lawmaker asks for inquiry after more sexual misconduct claims". Austin American Statesman. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
Texas House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 146th district

2007–2009
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 146th district

2011–2017
Succeeded by
Texas Senate
Preceded by Member of the Texas Senate
from the 13th district

2017–present
Incumbent