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. He attended public schools and graduated from Lamar High School. Schechter graduated from the University of Texas in Plan II Honors Program with a BA and 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. 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. On return, in addition to the practice of law, Schechter chaired the Harris County Metropolitan Transit Authority. Schechter's main practice was admiralty law, and he represented numerous maritime unions from around the world, including the National Maritime Union, The International Transport Workers Federation, and other seamen's unions. Philanthropic service. Schechter has served on boards of philanthropic organizations, but not limited to: Education. Lamar High School, honor graduate, Rosenberg, Texas, 1958. Accolades: Most Popular Boy and Outstanding Student. Positions held : vice-president, senior class; student council officer; president, teen council; founder, Teens Against Polio. Bachelor of Arts, Plan II, University of Texas, 1962. Accolades: Cactus Outstanding Student; National Phil Goodman Award for Outstanding Member of Phi Sigma Delta (ZBT) in America: Positions held: vice president, Silver Spurs; officer, Friar Society (6 or Fewer Outstanding Men on Campus); chair, Campus Chest "Challenge"; chair to numerous committees in student government and student union; board member, Texas Union; assemblyman, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Juris Doctor (J.D.) University of Texas School of Law, 1964. University of Houston, Master's Program. Worked toward  a master's degree in political science and foreign affairs. (Studied foreign affairs in the Soviet Union, international organizations and polices of all major powers.) Also attended: Jacob Baustein Leadership Institute, United States Department of States, Foreign Service Institute, 1998 (Ambassadors Training Course); Completed continuing education for mediators/arbitrators in 2001. 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. They have five grandchildren: Brian Arthur Karpas , Alyssa Rose Karpas, Kacy Michelle Rosen, Samuel Arthur Rosen, and Lillie Joy Rosen.