Arthur Louis Schechter

Arthur Louis Schechter (born December 6, 1939 Rosenberg, Texas) is an American attorney, philanthropist, diplomat, socialite and Senior Partner at Schechter, McElwee, Shaffer, and Harris based in Houston, Texas. Schechter previously served as the United States Ambassador to the Bahamas. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and was appointed by President Bill Clinton on October 29, 1998.[1] On return, Schechter chaired the Harris County Metropolitan Transit Authority and has been instrumental in pioneering a light rail for the residents of Houston. As a lawyer specializing in admiralty law, Schechter has handled and administered thousands of such cases all over the world.

Schechter has served on boards and led dozens of philanthropic organizations, including but not limited to, Career and Recovery Resources, AIDS Foundation, SEARCH Homeless Services, National Jewish Democratic Council, Houston International Travelers Task Force, Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau, Holocaust Museum Houston, Houston Area Parkinson's Society, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Council of American Ambassadors, American Constitution Society for Law and Policy, The Houston Forum, William A. Lawson Institute of Peace and Prosperity, the American Jewish Committee (President), Congregation Beth Israel (President), Lillian Kaiser Lewis Foundation,Jewish Federation of Houston (President), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Unity Bank and Frost Bank of Texas.

For his service as a US Ambassador to the Bahamas, he was awarded the following:

• Distinguished Public Service Award
• Drug Enforcement Administration, US Special Agent Award
• Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) Operations Center Award
• United States Marine Corps Award
• United States Customs Service Award for Outstanding Public Service
• The Royal Bahamas Police Force Award
• Joint Special Operations Command Award to “Arthur ‘Commando’ Schechter during Exercise Bow Draw

Schechter has also been honored by Seven Acres, the University of Texas Interfraternity Council as a "Notable Alumni", Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston Tapestry Award, Houston Top Lawyer, Texas Super Lawyer, Best Lawyers in Houston, named a "Local Legend" by the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, Leadership Award by the Harris County Democratic Party for a lifetime of service, named "Houston Treasure" by The Social Book, named "Community Leader" by the American Biographical Institute, Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Jewish Democratic Council (presented by President William Jefferson Clinton), the "Starlight Leadership" award by the Council of Jewish Women, named "Community Leader" by the American Biographical Institute, "Star of David" Award from Jewish Philanthropies, the Henry Morgenthau Award for Legal Excellence given at the National Dinner of Tribute, Prominent Community Leader by the Ladies of Distinction, named Houston's "Most Fascinating" at event to raise money for the Baylor Library, SEARCH's Outstanding Leadership Award (organization benefiting the homeless), Career & Recovery Resource's Barrier Breaker Award (a United Way Agency), AIPAC's Southwest Region Award for Political Achievement, received a Proclamation by Mayor and City Council declaring "Arthur Louis Schechter" day in honor of his work s Chairman of the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO), and many others.

Schechter has been listed as an honoree in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the Word, Who's Who in the Southwest, Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who in Society, Who's Who in Texas, Who's Who in Houston, Who's Who in American Politics, Who's Who in Community Leaders of America, Jewish American Politics, named "Millennium Maker" in a book of 100 most prominent Houstonians and in the Social Book of Houston.

Schechter graduated in 1958 from Lamar Consolidated High School. In 1962, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II from the University of Texas at Austin. In 1964, he earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law. In 1965, he attended the University of Houston to pursue a Master's degree in Political Science and Foreign Affairs.

Schechter received the following accolades while enrolled at Lamar Consolidated High School:

• Most Popular Boy
• Honor Graduate
• Outstanding Student

And held the following positions:

• Vice President, Senior Class
• Officer, Student Council
• President, Teen Council
• Founder, Teens Against Polio

Schechter also received accolades while studying at the University of Texas as well:

• Cactus “Outstanding Student”
• National Phil Goodman Award for Outstanding Member of Phi Sigma Delta (ZBT) in America

And held the following positions:

• Vice President, Silver Spurs
• Officer, Friar Society (6 or Fewer Outstanding Men on Campus)
• Chair, Campus Chest “Challenge”
• Chair, numerous committees in Student Government and the Student Union
• Board Member, Texas Union
• Assemblyman, College of Arts and Sciences

Schechter resides in Houston, Texas with his wife, Joyce Proler Schechter. They have two daughters: Leslie Rose Karpas (Hedley) born in 1966 and Jennifer Rosen (Alan, Harris County Constable) born in 1968. They have five grandchildren.