Building a New House in Congress: A Conversation with Congressman TJ Cox (D-CA)
Monday, April 8, 2019, 10:30 am, Community Foundation Theater, Gund Gallery
Join us as we host Congressman TJ Cox (D-CA) for a conversation about his experiences and work in his first Congressional term.
TJ Cox proudly represents California's 21st Congressional District. The District includes all of Kings County and portions of Fresno, Kern, and Tulare Counties. Elected in 2018, TJ was sworn into the 116th Congress on January 3, 2019.
A native of California, TJ is the son of Chinese and Filipino immigrants. His father, a professor of chemical engineering, inspired TJ to pursue a career in engineering. TJ's mother, an early trailblazer in the fight for equality and a survivor of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, served as one of the first equal employment opportunity officers in Nevada.
A licensed engineer, TJ spent his early career working in construction and mining in the United States and around the world. After moving to the Central Valley two decades ago, TJ recognized the need for higher-wage jobs and started the Central Valley NMTC Fund, a certified community development entity that uses the federal New Markets Tax Credit program to bring jobs and opportunity to the Valley. To date, Central Valley NMTC Fund has created nearly 1500 jobs and built health clinics, job training facilities, a community multi-use sports complex and community learning centers throughout the Central Valley. They also helped fund the North Fork Bioenergy Plant, a 21st century power plant to bring renewable, clean power to California.
In addition to his work with the Central Valley NMTC Fund, TJ is the owner of two nut-processing businesses. TJ understands firsthand the importance of the agricultural industry as a driving force in California's economy.
TJ holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno and an MBA from Southern Methodist University. He is married to Kathleen Murphy, MD, a pediatric intensive care physician at Valley Children's Hospital. They are the proud parents of four children.