Congressman Jim Costa, Co-chair (D CA-20)

Jim Costa was sworn in as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing California's 20th Congressional District in January, 2005. Raised on a dairy farm in Fresno's Kearney Park area, Congressman Costa is a third-generation family farmer. As a Member of Congress, Costa has applied his farming background to fighting for Valley water, agriculture, and the economy.

A lifelong resident of the Valley, Costa's committee assignments allow him to effectively advocate for the district. Costa uses his position on the Natural Resources Committee to fight for the Valley's fair share of water. This includes securing funding for dams, working to overturn unfair federal water regulations, and increasing Valley water allocations. On the Agriculture Committee, Costa has worked to increase federal support for Valley agriculture through the Farm Bill and other programs. When a milk price crisis devastated the region's dairy industry, Costa introduced legislation to protect Valley dairy families and local jobs. In addition to his committee assignments, Costa is a member of the fiscally-conservative Blue Dog Coalition and has worked with his colleagues to support more responsible budgeting practices.

Costa's work to improve the Valley stretches across the district. During his first term in office, Costa put together a broad-based bipartisan coalition aimed at developing a Regional Water Plan for Central California. He also led the negotiations between the City of Fresno and the State of California that secured the final funding necessary to complete the new Amtrak station in Fresno. During the 109thCongress, Costa played a leading role in the bipartisan effort to secure Highway 99 funding in the infrastructure bonds approved by California voters in 2006. Costa was also a principal in the successful effort to secure Congressional approval of plans to keep Fresno's 144th Air National Guard Fighter Wing viable well into the future. As the primary author of state legislation to create the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, Costa continues to work with local and state officials to clean up the Valley's air.

Costa's efforts to strengthen Valley agriculture and the economy have been recognized by organizations like The American Farm Bureau Federation who named him a recipient of its "Friend of the Farm Bureau" award. Costa has also received the "Spirit of Enterprise" award by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Costa's work to crack down on violent crime and advocate for victims' rights was recognized by the National Organization for Victim Assistance, which named him recipient of the Donald E. Santarelli Public Policy Award for demonstrating outstanding public policy leadership.

A product of Fresno County schools, Costa is a graduate of San Joaquin Memorial High School and has a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from California State University, Fresno. Before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Costa served for 24 years in the California State Legislature.

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Congressman Dennis Cardoza, Co-chair (D CA-18)

Now in his fifth term in Congress, Dennis Cardoza has established a reputation as an effective, fiscally-responsible legislator who delivers results for the Central Valley. Cardoza represents California 's 18th Congressional District, which includes Merced County and portions of San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Madera, and Fresno Counties.

In the 110th and 111th Congresses, Cardoza served as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture, which had a leading role in the formation of the 2007 Farm Bill. The subcommittee was critical to Central Valley farmers because it had jurisdiction over the crops that constitute the lion's share of Central Valley agricultural production. In the 112th Congress, Cardoza is serving as the Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry where he is a leader in tackling and solving the crisis that has plagued dairy producers and the industry in recent years.

Cardoza's centrist philosophy is highlighted in his role as a leading member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of 26 moderate to conservative House Democrats who are committed to fiscal responsibility and accountability for taxpayer dollars. The fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition has led the charge to ensure Congress adheres to fiscal discipline by reining in reckless federal spending.Cardoza believes we still must get back on the road to fiscal responsibility before we pass the nation's keys - and our debt - onto our children and grandchildren, and that quite simply it's high time our country starts paying for what it buys.

Since taking office in 2003, Cardoza has demonstrated a commitment to reaching across the partisan divide to find common ground between Democrats and Republicans. He has a strong record on fiscal responsibility, national security, supporting our veterans, and defending Social Security. Cardoza has worked tirelessly to support legislation that helps Central Valley farmers and has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for vital projects throughout the 18th District.

Cardoza has been a strong and consistent advocate for reducing our nation's dangerous dependence on foreign oil. He strongly supports investing in alternative and renewable energy sources. Cardoza, who has installed solar panels on his family residence in Atwater, introduced a bill that would extend and increase tax credits for solar installation on residential and commercial properties. In 2006, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) named him "Solar Champion of the Year."

Cardoza, who has two adopted children, has been a strong voice on behalf of adoption and foster children and has received numerous awards in recognition of his tireless efforts. In 2007, he introduced legislation that ensured children who age out of the foster care system receive necessary healthcare until the age of 21. The bill was incorporated into a larger piece of larger legislation and became law. In 2005, he introduced the "Military Adoption Act," which makes it easier for military service members to adopt children by allowing them to take paid leave. The bill was also signed into law.

Prior to serving in Congress, Cardoza spent six years in the California State Assembly, where he chaired the powerful Rules Committee and helped forge the Moderate Democratic Caucus. A broad group of organizations honored Cardoza as Legislator of the Year for his efforts to cut taxes, help family farms, and promote education and children's safety.

Cardoza's interest in public service began in college when he interned on Capitol Hill during the summer of 1979. The first in his family to graduate from college, Cardoza went on to run a successful small business. His belief that government should do more to help small businesses and foster economic growth inspired him to serve a term on the Atwater City Council beginning in 1984.

In 1994, Cardoza was appointed to the Merced City Council. His council-related duties on the Merced County Regional Solid Waste Board, the Merced County Association of Governments, and the Atwater Redevelopment Agency provided invaluable experience on dealing with a wide range of important local and county issues.

Cardoza has been relentless in his efforts to establish a University of California campus in the Central Valley. UC Merced, once a dream of Valley educators, students, and parents opened its campus doors in the fall of 2005, and is currently on track to establish its own medical school.

Cardoza, a graduate of the University of Maryland, currently sits on the University of Maryland College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Board of Visitors. He also is a recipient of the UC Merced Chancellor's Medal.

The Congressman has never forgotten his agricultural roots. His grandparents emigrated from Portugal in the early 20th century to farm the rich Merced County soil. The Cardoza family raised dairy cattle and grew sweet potatoes, almonds, watermelons, wheat, oats, and alfalfa.

Representative Cardoza married Dr. Kathleen McLoughlin. They have three children, Joey, Brittany, and Elaina.

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Richard E. Neal (D MA-2)

Richard E. Neal was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on February 14, 1949 and was raised and educated in the City of Springfield. He is a 1972 graduate of American International College, where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and was a member of the National Honor Society. He received his Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Barney School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Hartford in 1976.

Richard E. Neal was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1988. He represents the Second District of Massachusetts, which includes cities and towns in western and central Massachusetts. He is a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures.

Congressman Neal has been a lead sponsor of legislation to prevent American companies from moving offshore to avoid paying U.S. taxes. He continues to lead the effort to repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), a tax that penalizes many middle class Americans. He has sponsored legislation that would increase the national savings rate by encouraging the use of individual retirement accounts, and has worked to make health care and tuition expenses tax deductible for middle class people. He is also a member of the Trade Subcommittee. Congressman Neal is an At-Large Whip for the House Democrats. He is a co-chairman of the New England Congressional Caucus, where he continues to advocate for the unique regional interests of the six New England States.

Congressman Neal serves as the Democratic Leader of the Friends of Ireland and has been recognized repeatedly by Irish America Magazine as one of the Top 100 Irish Americans. He has been honored by the Holyoke, Massachusetts Saint Patrick's Day Committee with both the John F. Kennedy Award and the Ambassador's Award, the Committee's two highest honors. In 2002, Congressman Neal received the International Leadership Award by the American Ireland Fund for his work over two decades to bring peace and reconciliation to the island of Ireland.

Congressman Neal has been honored by the governments of Ireland, Israel and Italy. He has been recognized for his leadership and innovation by many civic, charitable, educational and labor organizations. He is a Trustee of Mount Holyoke College and has received honorary degrees from Springfield College, Western New England College, Elms College and Suffolk University.

Mr. Neal began his public service career in 1973 as an Assistant to Springfield Mayor William C. Sullivan. In 1978, he was elected to the Springfield City Council and served as President of the Council in 1979. As Mayor of the City of Springfield from 1984 until 1989, Richard Neal was a dynamic and determined leader who combined creativity and pragmatism in developing economic, cultural and public works projects across the community. During his tenure as Mayor, new economic development and private investment exceeded $400 million, including the $110 million 28-story Monarch Place complex and a host of other downtown rehabilitation and neighborhood revitalization projects. Recognized nationally for his accomplishments as Mayor, Boston Magazine called him a "Face to Watch" in 1986. Newsweek magazine highlighted his many accomplishments as Mayor in a 1987 feature.

Source: http://neal.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=7

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Jim McGovern (D MA-3)

Since his election in 1996, Congressman Jim McGovern has been widely recognized as a tenacious advocate for his district, a tireless crusader for change, and an unrivaled supporter for social justice and fundamental human rights.

Currently serving his eighth term in Congress, McGovern is a Minority Whip; is the second-ranking member on the powerful House Rules Committee, which sets the terms for debate and amendments on most legislation, and is a member of the House Agricultural Committee. In those roles, McGovern has secured millions of dollars in federal assistance for Central and Southeastern Massachusetts. McGovern is also co-chair of both the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and the House Hunger Caucus.

Over the past 14 years, McGovern has consistently delivered millions of dollars for job growth, vital local and regional projects, small businesses, public safety, regional and mass transportation projects, and affordable housing around the district. Under McGovern's leadership over the past two years, individual project successes have included federal funding for innovative, high-tech small businesses; police jobs saved in Worcester and Fall River; $2.8 million delivered to regional transit authorities in Greater Attleboro and Southeastern Massachusetts for infrastructure repairs and new buses; and $1 million to Medway and Ashland for long-overdue traffic improvements.

McGovern has authored important legislation to increase Pell Grant funding to allow more students access to higher education; to provide funds to preserve open space in urban and suburban communities; and to give tax credits to employers who pay the salaries of their employees who are called up to active duty in the Guard and Reserves.

A strong proponent of healthcare reform, his legislative efforts included reducing the cost of home health care, giving patients the dignity to be cared for in their own homes with the help of medical professionals.

McGovern voted against the initial authorization of force in Iraq in 2002, and has been among the most prominent Congressional voices on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. McGovern introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill calling for a flexible timetable for withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan as a matter of national security and fiscal responsibility.

McGovern has also taken a leadership role in the fight against hunger at home and abroad, successfully expanding the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, which helps alleviate child hunger and poverty by providing nutritious meals to children in schools in the world's poorest countries.

Before his election to Congress, the 50 year-old McGovern spent fourteen years working as a senior aide for the late U.S. Representative John Joseph Moakley (D-South Boston), former dean of the Massachusetts delegation and Chairman of the House Rules Committee. In 1989, McGovern was the lead investigator on the Moakley Commission Congressional Investigation into the murders of 6 Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter in 1989. The investigation ultimately led to a seminal change in U.S. foreign policy towards El Salvador when determined that the Salvadoran military was implicated in the murders. That landmark determination led to future military aid from the U.S. being conditioned on an improved human rights record.

Jim McGovern was born on November 20, 1959, in Worcester, the son of two successful small business owners. His two sisters are elementary school teachers in Worcester's public school system.

McGovern earned his Bachelor of Arts (‘81) and Masters of Public Administration (‘84) degrees from The American University, working his way through college by serving as an aide in the office of U.S. Senator George McGovern (D-SD). He went on to manage Senator McGovern's 1984 Presidential campaign in Massachusetts, and delivered his nomination speech during the 1984 Democratic National Convention in San Francisco.

Jim is married to Lisa Murray McGovern. The McGoverns have a son, Patrick and a daughter, Molly.

Source: http://mcgovern.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=2§iontree=2

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Linda Sanchez (D CA-39)

Recognized by her colleagues and the national media as a leading voice for working families, judiciary, and trade matters, Linda Sánchez has represented California's 39th Congressional district since 2003. The 39th district includes the communities of Artesia, Cerritos, Florence, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, La Mirada, Long Beach, Lynwood, Paramount, South Gate, Watts, Whittier, and Willowbrook.

Congresswoman Sánchez is the first Latina in history to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee where she concentrates on pocketbook issues that affect working families. She has broken many barriers by becoming the first Latina to serve on the Judiciary Committee and the first woman to serve as the Chair of its Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.

Legislative Record

Congresswoman Linda Sánchez serves on the influential Ways and Means Committee, which plays a key role in federal legislation on taxes and health care, and where Sánchez is a member of the Trade and Social Security Subcommittees. A former labor lawyer, she has been a central leader in recent Congressional efforts to reshape this country's trade model.

Sánchez also serves on the Judiciary Committee where her work to bring oversight and transparency back to Congress has received national recognition. In her previous service as Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law (CAL), Sánchez helped lead the Congressional investigation into the Bush Administration's firing of nine United States Attorneys in 2006.

Sánchez' role as a leader in the investigation of the politicization of the Department of Justice was highlighted in 2008 when she recommended that Karl Rove be held in contempt of Congress after failing to abide by a congressional subpoena and appear in front of the CAL subcommittee. Sánchez has also brought greater scrutiny to the misuse of arbitration and has worked to address the mortgage crisis through existing bankruptcy law that would help keep families in their homes.

A co-founder of the Labor and Working Families Caucus, Sánchez has worked tirelessly to ensure that workers are safe on the job, from industrial accidents as well as from employer intimidation and retaliation. Keeping children safe online has also been a priority for Sánchez, who has introduced legislation to criminalize cyber-bullying and to reduce bullying, harassment, and gang activity in our schools. While in Congress, Sánchez has helped to expand Head Start and modernize the Higher Education Act.

Sánchez is a strong advocate for California's families. She is committed to reducing crime, making schools safe, providing quality education and affordable health care, improving our economy by creating new opportunities, and cleaning up the air and water in Southern California. Her life-long commitment to progressive issues is reflected in her record to protect a woman's right to choose, to protect and expand civil rights and voting rights, to promote clean energy and green jobs, and to reform the country's broken immigration laws.

Personal Story

The sixth of seven children, Sánchez was born in the City of Orange to immigrant parents from Mexico. She attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Literature with an emphasis in Bilingual Education. After working her way through school as a bilingual aide and ESL instructor, she earned her law degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

After law school, she worked in a private practice before going to work for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 441 and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Prior to coming to Congress, Sánchez served as the Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the Orange County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO. Congresswoman Sánchez is still an active and card-carrying member of IBEW Local 441.

Sánchez' service in the U.S. House of Representatives is historic as she proudly works with her sister Loretta, Congresswoman from the 47th District of California. They are the first sisters and the first women of any relation to ever serve in Congress. Congresswoman Sánchez continued to make history in 2009 when she became the eighth member of Congress to give birth while serving in office. She and her husband, James Sullivan, are the proud parents of Joaquín Sánchez Sullivan, who joins his new Sullivan brothers: Brendan, Jack, and Seamus.

Source: http://lindasanchez.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16&Itemid=5

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Jim Langevin (D RI-2)

Throughout his career, Congressman Jim Langevin has made Rhode Island's priorities his own and fought to open the doors of government to its rightful owners - the people of this great nation.

Recognized as a national and party leader on national security, health care and stem cell research, Congressman Jim Langevin has dedicated his many years of public service at the federal and state levels to the hard-working citizens of Rhode Island.

Langevin serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where he is the Ranking Member of the Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, and serves on the subcommittees on Seapower and Projection Forces, and Strategic Forces.

At the request of Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, he is serving his third term on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and he is a member of the Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence. Langevin strongly believes that good intelligence is the nation's first line of defense against terrorism and other national security threats.

As part of the Democratic Leadership team, Langevin serves as both a Democratic Regional Whip for New England and a member of House Minority Whip Jim Clyburn's Senior Whip Team. In these roles, he is responsible for educating other Democratic members on key issues and helping to craft the party's strategy and legislative agenda.

Securing our nation's technology infrastructure against cyber attack is a top priority for Langevin, both within and beyond his committee work. As the Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the bipartisan House Cybersecurity Caucus, he has taken on a leadership role in raising awareness of cybersecurity issues in Congress and fostering dialogue and debate on the critical questions surrounding this topic. In addition, he is working to implement the recommendations of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Commission on Cyber Security for the 44th Presidency, which Langevin co-chaired. He is encouraged that the President understands these modern security challenges, and is working closely with the Administration to ensure that the Commission's recommendations are considered as a national security agenda is developed.

Advancing the science of stem cell research continues to be another of Langevin's top priorities. He is recognized as a national leader who works tirelessly to educate and encourage his colleagues to embrace this promising medical research in all of its forms. Langevin championed the passage of H.R. 3, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, and its predecessor H.R. 810, which call for expansion of the federal policy on embryonic stem cell research. He proudly joined President Obama in early 2009 as he signed an Executive Order lifting the Bush Administration's restrictions on embryonic stem cell funding and he will continue to work with his colleagues in Congress to give the President's order the force of law.

Langevin has been an outspoken proponent of universal health care. He has put forward his own proposals and has worked hard to help pass the Affordable Care Act into law to extend coverage to all Americans. In 2004, Langevin introduced the American Health Benefits Program (AHBP)(PDF 27KB), which was based on the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program and would offer affordable health care to all.

State Service

Langevin first ran for office in 1986, when he was elected a Delegate to Rhode Island's Constitutional Convention and served as its secretary. Two years later, he won election to the Rhode Island House of Representatives, where he established a reputation as a hard-working reformer committed to good government.

In 1994, Langevin defeated a Republican incumbent to become the nation's youngest Secretary of State. He transformed the office into "the people's partner in government" and took on the challenge of reforming Rhode Island's outdated election system. Langevin also established the state's Public Information Center and, with Brown University, published "Access Denied," which examined the General Assembly's compliance with the Open Meetings Law and documented routine and widespread violations.

In 1998, Langevin easily won re-election to his second term as Secretary of State, achieving the largest plurality of any general officer in this century, and in 2000, he made a successful run for the U.S. House of Representatives, where he has served the Second Congressional District ever since.

Personal Biography

Born April 22, 1964, Langevin is the first quadriplegic to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.

At the age of 16, Langevin was injured while working with the Warwick Police Department in the Boy Scout Explorer program. A gun accidentally discharged and a bullet struck Langevin, leaving him paralyzed. The tremendous outpouring of support from his community inspired Langevin to give something back and enter public service.

Langevin resides in Warwick, Rhode Island, and serves on a number of boards, including PARI Independent Living, Tech Access, The Rhode Island Shelter, the Hope Alzheimer's Center and the Big Brothers of RI. Langevin is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Lions Club and Save the Bay. He graduated from Rhode Island College and earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

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Sheila Jackson Lee (D TX-18)

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is serving her ninth term as a member of the United States House of Representatives. She represents the 18th Congressional District of Texas, centered in Houston, which is the energy capital of the world.

Congresswoman Jackson Lee earned a B.A. in Political Science from Yale University with honors, followed by a J.D. from the University of Virginia Law School. In the 110th Congress, Congresswoman Jackson Lee was named the new Chairwoman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection.

She sits on two Congressional Committees — the House Committees on the Judiciary and Homeland Security. The Congresswoman has authored several immigration bills, such as H.R. 750, the "Save America Comprehensive Immigration Act of 2007", which sets forth a comprehensive and humane solution to the immigration problem. Rep. Jackson Lee introduced legislation to enhance federal enforcement of hate crimes with H.R. 254, the David Ray Hate Crimes Prevention of 2007. Rep. Jackson Lee also played a significant role in the recent renewal and reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. Congresswoman Jackson Lee contributed an amendment to the NASA reauthorization bill this year that will ensure equal access for minority and economically disadvantaged students to NASA's education programs.

In addition, the Congresswoman launched the Dr. Mae C. Jemison Grant Program to work with institutions serving minorities to bring more women of color in the field of space and aeronautics. As Chairwoman of the Transportation Security and Infrastructure Subcommittee of the Homeland Security Committee, Congresswoman Jackson Lee has supported enhanced technology, better intelligence, increased airplane cargo inspections, increased security for railroads, and implementation of the 9/11 Commission report.

In addition, Congresswoman Jackson Lee is a founder, member, and co-chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, the Pakistan Caucus, Afghan Caucus, and newly formed Algerian Caucus. Congresswoman Jackson Lee has been actively engaged in addressing and resolving the genocide in Darfur. Accordingly, she met with Sudanese refugees in Chad, for whom she secured additional funding, and African Union soldiers in Sudan.

Congresswoman Jackson Lee has been hailed by Ebony magazine as one of the "100 Most Fascinating Black Women of the 20th Century." "Congressional Quarterly" named Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee as one of the 50 most effective Members of Congress. "U.S. News and World Report" named her as one of the 10 most influential legislators in the House of Representatives. And the "Houston Chronicle" named Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee as one of the most influential and prolific legislators on Capitol Hill.

Rep. Jackson Lee recently received the 2006 Award for Policy at the 16th Annual Phillip Burton Immigration & Civil Rights Awards. In 2005, Congresswoman Jackson Lee was awarded the Drum Major Award for Public Service by the Revelation Urban Development Institute. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to Science, the National Technical Association (NTA) of Scientists and Engineers honored the Congresswoman with its Top Women in the Sciences Award. Congresswoman Jackson Lee was also awarded the "Legislator of the Year" by the National Mental Health Association for her outstanding work on mental health legislation.

Before her election to Congress, Congresswoman Jackson Lee served two terms as one of the first African American women At-Large members of the Houston City Council, where she chaired the first Human Relations Committee, along with the Airport and Cable Committees. Prior to her Council service, she was an Associate Municipal Court Judge for the City of Houston.

Congresswoman Jackson Lee is married to Dr. Elwyn C. Lee, who holds a dual position of Vice Chancellor and Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Houston System and the University of Houston, respectively. They have two children Erica, who is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and Duke University, and Jason, who is a graduate of Harvard University.

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Lloyd Doggett (D TX-25)

A lifelong Austinite, Doggett has said that his public service began at Bryker Woods Elementary School where he was chosen as member of the safety patrol. Since then, Doggett has continued that commitment to service and the people of Central Texas.

U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett serves on the House Budget Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over all tax and trade measures, as well as Social Security and Medicare. He is ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Human Resources, which has jurisdiction over issues that relate to child care, child and family services, child support, foster care, adoption, and unemployment compensation. He was re-elected to serve a second two-year term as Chairman of the Texas Democratic delegation.

Rep. Doggett has been a vocal advocate for tax code reform and has sought to close tax loopholes that favor large corporate interests to the detriment of small businesses and individual taxpayers. In March, he was featured in a CBS News 60 Minutes segment by Lesley Stahl regarding his longstanding efforts to address multinational corporate tax abuse. He has also been a leading advocate of budget scrutiny of "tax expenditures" made available through preferential treatment in the Tax Code.

Rep. Doggett has opposed efforts to privatize Social Security, promoted affordable prescription drug coverage for seniors, and worked to boost federal support for education maintaining that America's competitiveness begins with an opportunity for students to achieve all of the education for which they are willing to work. President Obama has called for a permanent extension of the tax cut that Rep. Doggett authored, which provides an annual $2,500 tax credit for students seeking more education after high school.

In April, he received the American Bar Association's Justice Award for his work on legislation that assists with funding for legal services to the disadvantaged.

He has also worked to ensure our local vets have better access to healthcare facilities and the educational benefits they earned.

Congressman Doggett has been honored with the national AARP 2008 Legislative Achievement Award for his leadership on Medicare. For his work ensuring families have access to the health care, he was received awards from the National Association of Community Health Centers and the Texas Association of Community Health Centers. For his work protecting the environment, Doggett was honored in 2006 by the Texas League of Conservation Voters with its inaugural Environmental Champion Award.

Austin Chronicle readers named Lloyd Doggett as the "Best Elected Official for 2010," calling him "a constant presence at community events." This was the fifth time that he has been so honored in a publication that noted in 2008 he serves "with distinction, courage, and forthrightness."

His strong defense of consumer rights earned Doggett a "Public Interest Champion" award in 2003 from the Public Interest Research Group. For his efforts on behalf of small business and economic development in Central Texas, the Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce honored Doggett as the 2006 Business Advocate of the Year in government. As both a product of and active proponent for public education, Doggett was one of eight alumni honored in a Hall of Fame, commemorating the 125th anniversary of the Austin Independent School District. This commitment to public service is a tradition for Congressman Doggett. At the University of Texas in Austin, Doggett was elected Student Body President in 1967 and graduated first in his class from the College of Business Administration. Later, he graduated from the UT School of Law with honors, while serving as an associate editor of the Texas Law Review. Elected to the Texas Senate, he became known for his untiring work ethic. He authored 124 state laws, including the creation of the Texas Commission on Human Rights to prohibit discrimination and the Texas Sunset Act, which continues to seek greater efficiency and accountability by requiring periodic review of government agencies.

Elected in 1988 to serve as Justice to the Texas Supreme Court, he wrote opinions supporting the right to a trial by jury and authored an important rule bolstering the public's access to information. Lloyd Doggett served as Chair of the Supreme Court Task Force on Judicial Ethics and was recognized as an "Outstanding Judge in Texas" by the Mexican-American Bar of Texas, awarded the James Madison Award from the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, and received the First Amendment Award from the National Society of Professional Journalists.

Doggett's wife, Libby, serves as Director of an initiative at the Pew Charitable Trusts to promote smart state policies and investments in quality, home-based programs for new and expectant families. They have two daughters. Lisa, an Austin physician, directs a clinic that focuses on treating the uninsured. Cathy, a former schoolteacher, now trains teachers how to be more effective in the classroom. The Doggetts have three granddaughters, Ella, Clara, and Zayla.

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Congressman Bill Keating

Congressman William R. (Bill) Keating was elected to the United States House of Representatives on November 2, 2010, one of only nine new Democratic Members to be elected to the 112th Congress. He represents Massachusetts' 10th Congressional District, which encompasses the state's South Shore, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

Despite being in office just over two months, Congressman Keating has already established himself as a hardworking public servant and passionate advocate for the residents of Massachusetts' Coastal District. His legislative priorities reflect a keen understanding of the issues facing his constituents and a commitment to addressing them: working to create jobs by supporting our small businesses and increasing educational opportunities; improving our domestic security; providing our senior population with the resources they need and ensuring our veterans receive the benefits they deserve.

Congressman Keating currently serves on three committees, a rare honor for a freshmen Member, and has already been assigned a leadership position on one of them. On the Homeland Security Committee, Congressman Keating serves as the Ranking Member of the Oversight, Investigations, and Management Subcommittee and also sits on the Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies Subcommittee. On the Committee on Small Business, he sits on the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade. On the Committee on Foreign Affairs, he sits on the Middle East and South Asia Subcommittee.

Prior to being elected to the United States House of Representatives, Congressman Keating had already exemplified a life of public service and a commitment to bettering Massachusetts. Born in Norwood, Keating attended Boston College where he received his B.A. and Masters in Business Administration. He was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1977.

While serving in the Massachusetts State House, Congressman Keating entered Suffolk University Law School, eventually graduating and becoming a member of the state bar in 1985. The same year, he began serving in the Massachusetts State Senate, where he served as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Chairman of the Committee on Taxation and Vice Chairman of the Committee on Criminal Justice. He also served as the Senate Chairman of the Committee on Public Safety and Chairman of the Steering and Policy Committee.

Congressman Keating was then elected to be Norfolk District Attorney, a position he held from 1999 until his election to Congress. As a District Attorney, he pursued some of Massachusetts' toughest cases. He was instrumental in programs targeted to increase community-based crime prevention, prevent senior abuse, reduce incidents of domestic violence, stop bullying in our schools and keep drugs off our streets.

Bill and his wife, Tevis, have two children, Kristen and Patrick, and reside in both Quincy and Bourne.

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Michael Grimm

Michael Grimm's service to our nation began at the age of nineteen, when he left college after his freshman year and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After serving in the Persian Gulf War and being awarded a Combat Meritorious Promotion Michael returned reserve status and continued his education.

While attending college full time during the day Michael went to work as a clerk for the FBI on the midnight shift. Michael was chosen to attend the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center where he completed the Federal Police Officer Training Program. Upon returning from training, Michael was deputized as a U.S. Marshall and entrusted with full arrest authority as a Uniformed Police Officer for the FBI.

With a desire to diversify his background, Michael left the FBI for a Research Analyst position on Wall Street attaining several securities industry licenses. During this period, Michael attended Bernard M. Baruch College at night to further his education. Upon graduating with his BBA in Accountancy with a concentration in Finance, Grimm felt the pull of public service and returned to the FBI where he was appointed a Special Agent and assigned to the New York Office. Although he was assigned to investigate the Gambino Crime Family in the prestigious Organized Crime Branch, Michael found his niche fighting corruption on Wall Street as a member of the Financial Fraud Squad.

During his service in the FBI, Michael attended New York Law School at night. Special Agent Grimm was then admitted to practice law in New York and Connecticut.

It was during his tenure with the Fraud Squad that Michael started his undercover career becoming the first FBI Agent to successfully infiltrate Wall Street. Posing as a hedge fund manager during Operation Wooden Nickel, arguably one of the most successful White Collar undercover investigations in the history of the FBI, Michael obtained evidence against more than 50 individuals committing frauds spanning the spectrum from stock manipulation and currency scams to money laundering. After establishing a reputation as a reliable, "go-to" undercover agent, Michael was enlisted to investigate corrupt politicians in New Jersey, corrupt police officers in Florida, and various other cases. Michael has relentlessly fought corruption and served our country proudly.

After approximately 11 years as a Special Agent and more than 5 years serving as a deep Undercover Agent, Michael decided to leave the FBI to further expand his experience and became an entrepreneur. Michael founded a small health food restaurant in Manhattan and was a principal in a bio-fuel company.

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Colleen Hanabusa (D HI-1)

Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa proudly represents Hawaii's 1st Congressional District. She brings to Washington a passionate, hardworking and fearless approach to advocacy, honed by more than three decades spent fighting for the rights of her clients in the halls of justice and her constituents on the floor of the Hawaii State Legislature. Congresswoman Hanabusa, a yonsei, fourth generation American of Japanese ancestry, whose grandparents were interned during World War II, has dedicated her life to service and is committed to providing for the people of Hawaii while preserving the unique values and traditions that define the Aloha spirit.

Congresswoman Hanabusa's maternal great-grandparents were among the 200,000 Japanese who emigrated from Japan between 1885 and 1924 to work on the Hawai‘i sugar plantations. Her grandparents set the family roots in Waianae, on the Leeward Coast of Oahu, when they were born on and worked for the Waianae Plantation. Her maternal grandfather worked as a carpenter on the plantation and built and maintained the water flumes which carried water through the sugarcane fields from Makaha and Waianae Valley to Lualualei.

Her paternal great-grandparents were well known around the plantation. They made a living by making and selling tofu to the workers. And her paternal grandfather, known as Sampan Joe, was a fisherman who sold his catch to the plantation store every day.

Following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, both of her grandfathers were placed in internment camps. Grandpa Hanabusa was sent to the mainland and Grandpa Muroda went to Honouliuli on Oahu, because of their work as founders of the Waianae Hongwanji Mission.

Congresswoman Hanabusa was raised by Grandma Muroda while her hardworking parents, Isao and June, ran their popular gas station in their hometown of Waianae. Her father worked for Gaspro, Inc. and served as a director for the successor entity, Lenakona, Inc. until the day he died.

Congresswoman Hanabusa is married to Honolulu businessman John Souza. They have a 7 year-old Border Collie named Little, who enjoys a farm fresh egg every morning for breakfast, specially prepared by John.

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Mike Honda (D CA-15)

U.S. Congressman Michael Honda has represented the 15th Congressional District of California in the U.S. House of Representatives for a decade. In Congress, Rep Honda is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee and the House Budget Committee, Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Co-chair of the Democratic Caucus’ New Media Working Group, House Democratic Senior Whip and the original author of the Equity and Excellence Commission now housed in the US Department of Education.

Mike’s district includes Silicon Valley, the birthplace of technology innovation and now the country’s leading developer of green technology. Mike has dedicated his life to public service and is lauded for his work on education, civil rights, national service, immigration, transportation, the environment, and high-tech issues.

Serving as a California State Assembly member, Santa Clara County Board Supervisor, San Jose Planning Commissioner, San Jose Unified School Board Member, Peace Corps Volunteer in El Salvador, and with over 30 years in education as a teacher, principal and school board member, Mike’s commitment to serving the people of California’s 15th district is unwavering and unparalleled.

BACKGROUND

Mike was born in California, but spent his early childhood with family in an internment camp in Colorado during World War II. Mike’s father served in the Military Intelligence Service, while his mother, who is still living, served as a fulltime homemaker. His family returned to California in 1953, becoming strawberry sharecroppers in San José's Blossom Valley.

In 1965, Mike answered President John F. Kennedy's call for volunteer service, enrolled in the Peace Corps for two years in El Salvador and returned fluent in Spanish and with a passion for teaching.

Mike earned Bachelor's degrees in Biological Sciences and Spanish and a Master's degree in Education from San José State University. In his career as an educator, Mike was a science teacher, served as a principal at two public schools, and conducted educational research at Stanford University.

In 1971, Mike was appointed by then-Mayor Norm Mineta to San Jose's Planning Commission. In 1981, Mike won his first election, gaining a seat on the San José Unified School Board. In 1990, Mike was elected to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, where he led efforts to acquire and preserve open space in the county. Mike served in the California State Assembly from 1996 to 2000.

Mike is widowed and has two grown children. His wife, Jeanne, was a teacher at Baldwin Elementary School in San José before her passing in 2004. His son, Mark, is an aerospace engineer and Michelle, his daughter, is a public health educator in San Jose with three young boys.

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Barney Frank (D MA-4)

Barney Frank represents the Fourth Congressional District of Massachusetts, and he is also the Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee. Last year, he helped pass the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act," a new law that the Washington Post has called "the most sweeping overhaul of the nation's financial regulatory system since the Great Depression."

Frank began his career in the Massachusetts State House, where he served for eight years before winning a seat in the U.S. Congress in 1980.

Although he is widely-recognized for his work on national issues, Frank has also fought to help New Bedford fishermen, to bring commuter rail to the Southcoast, to provide affordable rental housing, and to support many local organizations and businesses.

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Rep. Joe Baca (D CA-43)

Website: http://baca.house.gov/

Contact: http://baca.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=7&iontree=7

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Rep. Pete Stark (D CA-13)

Website: http://www.stark.house.gov/

Contact: http://www.stark.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1524&Itemid=98

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Rep. Niki Tsongas (D MA-5)

Website: http://tsongas.house.gov/

Contact: http://tsongas.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=116&iontree=116

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