1977: Tennessee Constitutional Convention Delegate and Vice President
1978-80: Shelby County Commission
1980,1992, 2004 & 2008: Delegate to Democratic National Convention; Platform Committee 2000
1982-2006: Tennessee State Senate, District 30
1984: Shelby County Charter Commission
1988-90: Chair, Shelby County Legislative Delegation
1986: Delegate to American Council of Young Political Leaders, USA/Japan Study Mission
1999: Delegate NCSL/China 1999
2000: Delegation Leader NCSL/Germany
2002: Council of State Governments Executive Committee, 2002
1998-2005: National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Executive Committee Member
2006: Elected to the US Congress in Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District
2008: Elected Regional Whip
2009: Elected Chairman of Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law