Diane Watson

Diane Watson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California
In office June 7, 2001 [1] – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Julian Dixon
Succeeded by	Karen Bass
Constituency	32nd district (2001–2003) 33rd district (2003–2011)
United States Ambassador to Micronesia
In office 1999–2000
Preceded by	March Fong Eu
Succeeded by	Larry Miles Dinger
Member of the California Senate
In office December 4, 1978 – November 30, 1994
Preceded by	Nate Holden
Succeeded by	Ralph C. Dills
Constituency	30th district (1978–82) 28th district (1982–94)
In office December 5, 1994 – November 30, 1998
Preceded by	Charles Calderon
Succeeded by	Kevin Murray
Constituency	26th district
Personal details
Born	(1933-11-12) November 12, 1933 (age 91) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Residence	South Central, Los Angeles
Alma mater	University of California, Los Angeles (BA) California State University, Los Angeles (MS) Claremont Graduate University (PhD)
Occupation	College administrator Health Psychologist Specialist
Committees	House Foreign Affairs Committee House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
Website	http://www.house.gov/watson/

Diane Edith Watson (born November 12, 1933) is a former American politician who served as US Representative for California's 33rd congressional district, serving from 2003 until 2011, after first being elected in the 32nd District in a 2001 special election. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is located entirely in Los Angeles County and includes much of Central Los Angeles, as well as such wealthy neighborhoods as Los Feliz.

A native of Los Angeles, Watson is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, and also holds degrees from California State University, Los Angeles and Claremont Graduate University. She worked as a psychologist, professor, and health occupation specialist before serving as a member of the Los Angeles Unified School Board (1975–78). She was a member of the California Senate from 1978 to 1998, and the US Ambassador to Micronesia from 1999 to 2000.

Watson was elected to Congress in a 2001 special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Julian C. Dixon. She was re-elected four times, and retired after the end of the 111th Congress.