Charles N. “Charlie” Wilson

Charles N. “Charlie” Wilson (1933–2010) was an American naval officer and legislator who represented Texas’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1973 to 1996. During his twelve terms in Congress, he served on the influential House Appropriations Committee and its Defense and Foreign Operations subcommittees. He became internationally known for securing bipartisan congressional support for the Afghan resistance during the Soviet–Afghan War—a campaign later chronicled in the book and film Charlie Wilson’s War.

A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Wilson served as a U.S. Navy officer before entering public life. He began his political career in the Texas House of Representatives and later served in the Texas Senate. Throughout his career, he was a strong advocate for American global leadership and understood the importance of combining diplomacy, development assistance, and security cooperation to advance U.S. interests.

Congressman Wilson was an early and influential advocate for closer relations between the United States and Azerbaijan. He challenged the unequal restrictions imposed on Azerbaijan under Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act and successfully advanced legislation permitting direct humanitarian assistance under certain conditions. As a founding member of USACC’s Board of Trustees, he supported the Chamber’s efforts to strengthen commercial ties, encourage American investment, and promote balanced U.S. engagement with Azerbaijan and the wider Caspian region.