Pete Visclosky

Infobox_Congressman
name = Pete Visclosky

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date of birth = birth date and age|1949|08|13
place of birth = Gary, Indiana
state = Indiana
district = 1st
term_start = January 3, 1985
preceded = Katie Hall
succeeded = Incumbent
party = Democrat
religion = Roman Catholic
spouse = Joanne Royce
residence=Merrillville, Indiana
alma_mater=Indiana University Northwest, Notre Dame University, Georgetown University
occupation=attorney

Peter John "Pete" Visclosky [ [http://csd.cqpress.com/Elections/house_mem/h1252.html U.S. House of Representatives ] ] (born August 13, 1949, in Gary, Indiana) is the United States Representative for ushr|Indiana|1|. He is currently in his twelfth term as a member of the House of Representatives. His first term in Congress began in January 1985. Visclosky defeated incumbent Katie Hall in the Democratic primary before earning his initial term. He won the 2006 general election against Republican Mark Levya.

The First District lies in Northwest Indiana and includes all of Lake, Newton, Jasper and Benton counties as well as a major portion of Porter County. Much of the population is based in the Chicago metropolitan area. Visclosky is a member of the Democratic Party. He is married and has two sons.

Visclosky was educated at Andrean High School in Merrillville, Indiana. He earned a bachelor's degree at Indiana University Northwest in Gary, Indiana and went on to earn his juris doctor from Notre Dame Law School. At Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., Visclosky earned a master's degree in comparative law. He has worked as a lawyer and staff member of United States Representative Adam Benjamin before entering the House.

Visclosky's parents were involved in Gary's once prominent but now declining steel industry. Reinstating the steel tariff and fighting to save American manufacturing jobs have long been listed as Visclosky's biggest goal while in Congress. As a result, he has received the chairmanship of the Congressional Steel Caucus since the Democrats took control of the House. He also received a position as chair of the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee, as the leader of which he has used his resources to study alternative energy. Visclosky is a strong advocate of labor and fair-trade.

Visclosky is one of the 126 Democrats who voted against the Iraq War Resolution. He also is a supporter of high tech solutions as a way to revive the American blue collar work force, and as a way to decrease crime.

Committee Assignments

*Appropriations Committee
**Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development (Chairman)
**Subcommittee on Defense
**Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government
*Chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus

References

External links

* [http://www.house.gov/visclosky/ U.S. Congressman Pete Visclosky] official House website
*CongLinks| congbio=v000108 | fec=H4IN01012 | ontheissuespath=House/Peter_Visclosky.htm | opensecrets=N00012539 | votesmart=H1252103
* [http://www.viscloskyforcongress.us/ Visclosky for Congress] official campaign website