Jack Brooks

Jack Bascom Brooks (born December 22, 1922) is a Texas politician.

Brooks was born in Crowley, Louisiana. Brooks attended Lamar University and University of Texas. Brooks served in the United States Marine Corps in World War II. Brooks served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1947 to 1951.

In 1952, Brooks was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in Texas's 2nd District as a Democrat. Brooks was the chairman of the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary from 1989 until 1995.

When the House first began requiring financial disclosures in the late 1970s, Brooks became known as one of the richest men in Congress, having acquired a number of banks and other businesses during his years in office.

In 1994, Brooks was defeated by Republican Steve Stockman. Brooks's sponsorship of the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which was ultimately passed with the Federal assault weapons ban incorporated as an amendment, probably contributed to his defeat, nothwithstanding Brooks's NRA life membership.