Francis Brooks grew up in Alexandria, Virginia duringthe years of Jim Crow. He graduated from NorwichUniversity in 1967 and remained in Vermont to teachschool and raise his family. He taught and coached atMontpelier High School for thirty years influencing thelives of generations of Vermonters. In 1983, he becamethe third African American elected to the VermontHouse of Representatives. For the next twenty-five years he held a varietyof important positions and played a key role in passing historic legislationthat guaranteed no Vermonter would be denied his or her rights becausethey were different. He served as Majority Leader, Chairman of the Generaland Military Committee and as member of the Appropriations Committee.Today, as the Sergeant-at-Arms he is responsible for the operation andsecurity of the Vermont State House.