Arthur L. Schechter
Arthur Schechter in interview
United States Ambassador to the Bahamas
In office
October 29, 1998 – March 1, 2001
PresidentBill Clinton
Preceded bySid Williams
Succeeded byJ. Richard Blankenship
Personal details
Born (1939-12-06) December 6, 1939
Rosenberg, Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJoyce Proler Schechter
ProfessionDiplomat, Attorney, Philanthropist

Arthur Louis Schechter (born December 6, 1939) is an American diplomat, attorney, and philanthropist.[1]

Early life

He attended public schools and graduated from Lamar High School in Rosenberg, Texas, in 1958 Schechter graduated from the University of Texas in Plan II Honors Program with a BA in 1962. While there, he was a member of Phi Sigma Delta, the Friar Society, and the Silver Spurs.

He received a JD degree from the University of Texas Law School in 1964. He also subsequently attended the University of Houston for a master's degree in Political Science and Foreign Affairs.

Career

Schechter is a senior partner at Schechter, Shaffer, and Harris based in Houston, Texas.[1] His main practice was admiralty law, and he represented many maritime unions from around the world, including the National Maritime Union and the International Transport Workers Federation

Schechter was the United States Ambassador to the Bahamas.[2] He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and was appointed by President Bill Clinton on October 29, 1998.[3] After returning Schechter chaired the Harris County Metropolitan Transit Authority.[4]

Professional affiliations

  • Bank of Harris County (board of directors)
  • Council of American Ambassadors (board)
  • Frost Bank (advisory board
  • Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau (advisory board)
  • NAACP (Member)
  • Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists (member)
  • Unity Bank (advisory board)

Philanthropic service

Schechter has served on boards of philanthropic organizations, but not limited to:

  • AIDS Foundation advisory board; American Constitution Society for Law
  • American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (Washington group), co-chair fundraiser honoring entire Texas Delegation, United Jewish Campaign, Houston chairman, Lawyer Division chair
  • American Jewish Committee (advisory board, past president, executive committee, National Leadership Council, International Affairs chairman, Blaustein Leadership Institution, dinner chair for fundraising events)
  • Anti-Defamation League (Southwest Regional Board, nominating committee, legal committee)
  • Career and Recovery Resources, Inc. (advisory board, campaign advisory committee)
  • Child Advocates of Houston; Commission on Jewish Continuity
  • Frank Evans Center for Conflict Resolutions, South Texas College of Law (advisory board)
  • GLBT Political Caucus
  • Greater Houston Partnership (executive committee, mobility committee)
  • Gulf Coast Regional Mobility Partners (executive committee)
  • Holocaust Museum Houston (advisory board, executive committee)
  • Houston Area Parkinson Society (board member, advisory director)
  • Houston International Travelers Task Force (co-chairman. Appointed by Houston Mayor Bill White)
  • Houston Jewish Community Foundation (executive committee)
  • Houston Super Bowl (steering committee)
  • Houston Term Limits Committee (chairman)
  • Houston World Affairs Council (member)
  • Institute for International Education (Southern Regional advisory board)
  • Jewish Federation of Houston (President, vice-president, board of directors, executive committee, advisory board)
  • Israel Bonds (Prime Minister's Club, National Campaign Cabinet)
  • Lee P. Brown Center for Public Service (board of directors)
  • Jewish Community Center (endowed room in Merfish Center, endowment board)
  • Lillian Kaiser Lewis Foundation (chairman of the board, trustee. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to Houston-based charities)
  • Mickey Leland Kibbutz Foundation (board of directors)
  • Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies, Tel Aviv University
  • National Jewish Democratic Council (chairman emeritus, board of directors, executive committee)
  • Operation Exodus (chairman)
  • SEARCH (board of directors, executive committee, and Policy Team)
  • Seven Acres Jewish Geriatrics Center (board of directors, chairman of Big Gifts Committee, endowed "Schechter Dining Room" for Alzheimer's/Dementia Patients, lobby, lobby reception room, co-chaired numerous fundraising events)
  • Serve Houston (board of directors, Local AmeriCorps Chapter)
  • Shlenker School (board of directors, Endow classroom)
  • Texas Jewish Historical Society (board of directors)
  • Texans Together Education Fund (advisory board)
  • Theatre Under the Stars (founding board of directors)
  • University of Texas at Austin (Life Member Texas Students Association, Friar Alumni, President's Council, Littlefield Society, Hillel Foundation, Benefactor to Lloyd Bentsen Stroke Fund, School of Law Alumni Association)
  • University of Texas Health Science Center (development board of directors, political committee)
  • United States Holocaust Museum Council, Washington, D.C. (national chairman appointed by President Clinton, Holocaust Studies)
  • University of North Texas, Ann Richards College of Community and Affairs (steering committee)
  • William A. Lawson Institute for Peace and Prosperity (WALIPP/Lawson Academy; chairman of the advisory board, board of directors)

Awards and honors

  • 21st Century Democrats "Star of Texas" Award
  • AIPAC's "Southwest Region Award for Political Achievement"
  • American Biographical Institute "Community Leader of America"
  • Baylor College of Medicine: "Houston’s Most Fascinating"
  • Career and Recovery Resources, Inc.’s "Barrier Breaker Award"
  • Children's Advocates of Harris County "Love Award"
  • Congregation Beth Israel "Samuel E. Karff Leadership Award"
  • Council of Jewish Women "Starlight Leadership Award"
  • Harris County Democratic Party Johnson-Rayburn Fundraising Event—Leadership Award for a Lifetime of Service
  • Henry Morgenthau Award for Legal Excellence
  • Houston City Council and the mayor of the City of Houston Proclamation "Arthur Louis Schechter Day" for involvement with Harris County Metropolitan Transit Authority
  • Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston Tapestry for Outstanding Community Leadership
  • Jewish Chautauqua Society "Benefactor Award"
  • Jewish Community Center "David H. White Award for Outstanding Leadership"
  • Jewish Federation of Greater Houston "Local Legend"
  • Jewish Philanthropies "Star of David Award"
  • Millennium Maker—book by Evelyn Thayer of the 100 most prominent Houstonians
  • NAACP "President’s Award"
  • National American Jewish Committee "National Human Relationships Award"
  • National Jewish Democratic Council "Lifetime Achievement Award" presented by President Clinton
  • National United Jewish Campaign's Prime Minister's Council (national vice-chairman of the mission)
  • Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) Operations Center (US Coast Guard, Royal Bahamas Police Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, Turks, and Caicos Islands Police) Award for "your unyielding dedication, service, and loyalty"
  • SEARCH "Outstanding Leadership Award" and Leadership/Appreciation plaque
  • Seven Acres Spirit of Life Award
  • Texas Monthly Magazine "Super Lawyer"
  • Top Ladies of Distinction "Prominent Community Leader"
  • The Social Book "Houston Treasure"
  • United Jewish Appeal "Young Leadership Award"
  • United States Coast Guard "Distinguished Public Service Award"
  • United States Customs Service Award for Outstanding Public Service presented The Royal Bahamas Police Force Award in recognition of "An era of Loyalty, A cornerstone of example; A benchmark of leadership in the courageous stance that you have taken in the fight against drug trafficking during your tenure in The Bahama
  • United States Drug Enforcement Administration "US Special Award" for outstanding friendship, dedication, and contributions to the Counter Drug Mission, Operations Bahamas Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Nassau Bahamas
  • United States Marine Corps Award in grateful recognition of Support of the Marine Security Guard Detachment, Nassau, Bahamas
  • United States Military: "Joint Special Operations Command Award" to "Arthur ‘Commando’ Schechter, ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas...The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Civilians of the Joint Special Operations Command extend their special thanks for your tremendous support during Exercise Bow Draw. Your exceptional dedication to duty and personal commitment in support of this Command has enabled the Joint Community to conduct realistic training and hone their SOF warfighting skills"
  • the University of Texas Interfraternity Council "Notable Alumni"

Personal life

Schechter resides in Houston, Texas, with his wife, Joyce Proler Schechter, whom he married on August 25, 1956. They have two daughters: Leslie Rose Karpas (Hedley) born in 1966, and Jennifer Rose Schechter (Alan, Harris County Constable) born in 1968.

He is a member of the Westwood Country Club and Congregation Beth Israel.

References

  1. 1 2 "Houston Personal Injury Lawyer - SMS Legal". SMS Legal. Archived from the original on 2009-08-10. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  2. ↑ "Biography: Arthur L. Schechter". 1997-2001.state.gov. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  3. ↑ "Council of American Ambassadors > members > Arthur L. Schechter". 2010-09-17. Archived from the original on 2010-09-17. Retrieved 2017-06-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ↑ Fleck, Tim (2002-05-09). "Tales of Rail". Houston Press. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
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