Schedule a Speaking Engagement With David Casas
The Early Years
David was born in the Canary Islands, Spain to Cuban parents. Arriving in the United States at the age of two, he did not understand at that time the struggles his parents and sister had faced in Castro's Communist Cuba. Although via Spain, David and his family were admitted into the United States as political refugees.
David has lived in Georgia for over thirty-five years and his parents never let him forget the freedom and opportunity this country has afforded them. He grew up in a home where faith in God and love for country was always evident. In 1985, David coached his parents through the citizenship test and later that same year the whole family became citizens of the United States. The Casas' lived the American dream, and for David the dream meant the opportunity to grow up in a free country.
Giving Back To His Country
David graduated from Georgia State University in 1996 with a BA in history. That same year he was hired by Cobb County to teach at John McEachern High School. For the past twelve years, David has taught high school students a variety of history, economics and political science courses including Studies in American Foreign Policy and Legislative Politics. David has also coached the Speech and Debate team and the Model United Nations team. In March 2002, David was recognized as one of the year's Star Teacher's in Cobb County.
David saw teaching and coaching as an opportunity to give back to this country as he influenced the next generation of young people. David was also a teacher-trainer for the Southern Center for International Studies where he trained and briefed other teachers in the State of Georgia on Latin American, European, East Asian, Russian, and Middle Eastern politics and economics. In 2000, David was appointed to Congressman John Linder's Service Academy Advisory Board, which interviews prospective cadets to the four military academies of the United States. David continues to serve on the Board to this day.
A Proven Leader
As a teacher and consultant of politics and economics, David is knowledgeable and well prepared to deal with the issues facing our society today. As a long time resident of Georgia, David understands the challenges and opportunities that are unique to our communities.
In November 2002, David was first elected to Georgia's General Assembly representing the 103rd District in Gwinnett County, and being the first Republican Hispanic elected to state office in Georgia.
In only his third term, David serves as Vice Chairman of the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee. He also serves on the House Education Committee, and as Chairman of its Subcommittee on Academic Achievement. David also serves on the powerful House Rules Committee and the House Science and Technology Committee.
In January 2007, the Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson appointed David as HAWK of the House of Representatives. The HAWK is chairman status ex-officio member of all committees and subcommittees of the House. As a HAWK, David may establish quorum in any committee and vote as a member of any committee. David joins Rep. John Lunsford as the two HAWKs of the House of Representatives.
David served four years on the Legislative Advisory Council of the Southern Regional Education Board, and was designated by Governor Sonny Perdue as the legislative liaison to the Governor’s Hispanic Commission.
In 2006, David was appointed by the Speaker of the House to serve on the Georgia High School Athletics Overview Committee.
David’s strong conservative values have made him a notable figure in the Hispanic community, and have propelled him as the spokesman for conservative Hispanics within the Georgia Republican Party and the Republican National Committee. His conservative leadership in the state and as one of the founders and current chairman of the National Conference of Hispanic Legislators has caught the eye of the White House. David served as one of ten national Republican Hispanics on the Hispanic Advisory Council to the chairman of the Republican National Committee.
This year, David served as Georgia's delegate to the U.S./Canada Forum on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative to address the critical need for intergovernmental and cross-border coordination on WHTI implementation.
David has demonstrated his knowledge and skills on the pertinent issues facing Georgians today and has become an effective and capable leader.
A True Reformer of Education
In 2007, David co-sponsored the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act, which opened the door of school choice for special needs children in the state of Georgia. He continues to champion the cause of school choice statewide and nationwide.
This year, David passed legislation to establish Tuition Tax Credits in Georgia. This legislation was signed by the Governor on May 14, 2008, and will provide more educational opportunities for our children.
His Faith and Family
David and his family live in Lawrenceville. They are members of Mount Paran Church of God in Atlanta, where David serves in Spanish education ministry.
