Yusuf Hakeem

Yusuf Hakeem is a Democratic member of the Tennessee House of Representatives and a former member of the State of Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole.

Background and education

Hakeem was born December 5, 1948, and graduated from Howard High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1966. He is a graduate of Chattanooga State Community College, where he majored in electronics, and he attended University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he majored in Economics. He is married to his wife Baseemah, and they have four children. He is a member and deacon of Second Missionary Baptist Church in Chattanooga.[1] He served on the Hamilton County School Board from 1981 to 1990. He is a retiree from General Electric Corporation, and served as a member of the State of Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole for seven years, from 2006 to 2013.[2]

Local politics

Hakeem served on the Chattanooga City Council for District 9 from 1990 to 2006, and again from 2013 to 2017. During this time, he founded the Chattanooga Youth Council, now called the Mayor's Youth Council. Sixteen area schools participate in this outreach program.[3]

His community involvement includes him as:

  • Chairman, Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 2016 – current [4]
  • Chattanooga NAACP Life Member and Board Member [1]
  • Board Member, Chattanooga/Hamilton County Railroad Authority[1]
  • Chairman, Chattanooga-Hamilton County North Georgia Transportation Planning Organization[1]
  • Former Board member of the Challenger Space Center Chattanooga (NASA)[1]
  • Former Board member of the Chattanooga Community Impact Fund[1]
  • Former Board member of the Fortwood Center[1]

Tennessee House of Representatives

In 2018, his candidacy was announced for the Tennessee House of Representatives District 28. He was endorsed by the retiring state representative JoAnne Favors, who said, "Yusuf Hakeem is the right person for the job... He has years of experience in public service, and would not face a learning curve as a first time elected official. He is prepared for the work now" in a public release.[5] He won the contested Democratic primary on August 2, 2018,[6] and later was elected to the office on November 6, 2018, defeating Lemon Williams, Jr.[7]

Positions

Gun Rights

In 2017, the National Rifle Association rated Hakeem 13% on his position on gun control and gun rights.[8] In 2019, he voted "no" on HB 1264/SB 0705, which created an "enhanced" conceal carry permit.[9]

Healthcare

In his issue position, Hakeem is for expanding public healthcare, lowering prescription drug costs, and increasing funding for primary care and community health centers. He is also for women's health funding, specifically preventative care and contraception.[10][11] He voted "nay" on HB 77, which would prevent an abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detectable.[12][13] He voted "nay" on HB 1280, to amend state Medicaid funding.[14][15]

Education

Yusuf Hakeem is for the full and complete funding of the Basic Education Program. He was quoted saying, "It’s something I’ve been interested in for many years, and hopefully, our county can take advantage and have some assistance out of that. Because I think it is something that’s been overdue."[16] He also has said that he wants to fix Tennessee's "broken testing system," in turn giving more control to teachers.[17]

Criminal Justice Reform

Hakeem is for reducing recidivism, abolition of mass incarceration, and "alternatives to incarceration, crisis intervention, and officer safety and wellness." [18][19]

Affordability and Poverty Alleviation

In his position, Hakeem's site states states, "Nearly 40 percent of the District 28 will experience a year of poverty at some point during their lives. Communities of color face disproportionate economic challenges and barriers to opportunity. Hakeem will fight for a state and local economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top-ensuring that those who work hard do not have to live in or raise their kids in poverty."[20]

Families

Hakeem voted "nay" on HB 836, which would allow religious discrimination towards potential adoptive parents.[21][22] He voted "nay" on HB 1151, to expand the offence of public indecency to public bathrooms, locker rooms, dressing rooms, or showers for multi occupancy single sex use.[15][23]

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References
  1. "Representatives - TN General Assembly". www.capitol.tn.gov. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  2. "Yusuf Hakeem Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  3. "Mayor's Youth Council – Connect with Chattanooga". Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  4. "Board of Directors | Bessie Smith Cultural Center". Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  5. "Retiring state Rep. JoAnne Favors endorses Yusuf Hakeem in District 28". timesfreepress.com. 2018-03-12. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  6. "Yusuf Hakeem wins contested state House primary". timesfreepress.com. 2018-08-02. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  7. "Yusuf Hakeem". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  8. "National Rifle Association". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  9. "Lawmakers and Chattanooga area firearms instructors voice opinions on new Tennessee gun permit law". timesfreepress.com. 2019-05-28. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  10. "Yusuf Hakeem - Healthcare". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  11. "Healthcare Position".
  12. "Tennessee HB 77 Full Text" (PDF).
  13. "How Your Politicians Voted - HB 77".
  14. "How Your Politicians Voted - HB 1280".
  15. "Tennessee General Assembly Legislation". wapp.capitol.tn.gov. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  16. Parker, Collins (2019-01-25). "Mayor Coppinger talks local issues with lawmakers". WDEF. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  17. "Education Position". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  18. "Criminal Justice Position". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  19. "Yusuf Hakeem - Criminal Justice Reform".
  20. "Yusuf Hakeem - Affordability".
  21. "Tennessee General Assembly Legislation". wapp.capitol.tn.gov. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  22. "How Your Politicians Voted HB 836".
  23. "How Your Politicians Voted - HB 1151".
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