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James A. McDermott was a Representative from Washington who was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1936. He earned his B.S. from Wheaton College in 1958 and his M.D. from University of Illinois Medical School in 1963. Before serving in Congress, he completed his residency in adult psychiatry at University of Illinois hospitals from 1964-1966, and again at the University of Washington hospitals from 1966-1968.
He was a member of the United States Navy Medical Corps from 1968-1970, a psychiatrist, and faculty member at the University of Washington from 1970-1983.
Additionally, he was a member of the Washington state house of representatives from 1971-1972, an unsuccessful candidate for the nomination for governor of Washington in 1972, 1980, and 1984, a member of the Washington state senate from 1975-1987, and a medical officer in the United States Foreign Service from 1987-1988.
He was elected as a Democrat to the 101st and to the thirteen succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1989-January 3, 2017).
He was chair of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (103rd Congress).