Jim McGovern

Infobox_Congressman
name =Jim McGovern


date of birth=birth date and age|1959|11|20
place of birth =Worcester, Massachusetts
state = Massachusetts
district = 3rd
term_start = January 3, 1997
preceded = Peter Blute
succeeded = Incumbent
party =Democratic
religion = Roman Catholic
spouse = Lisa McGovern
alma_mater= American University
residence= Worcester, Massachusetts
occupation= political assistant

James P. "Jim" McGovern (born November 20, 1959), an American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since January 3, 1997, representing the 3rd District of Massachusetts.

Early life

A native of Worcester, Massachusetts, McGovern graduated from Worcester Academy and earned a Masters of Public Administration at American University in Washington, D. C.. He was a staff member for Senator George McGovern of South Dakota (to whom he is not related) and for Representative Joe Moakley before entering the House.

Jim McGovern managed the 1984 presidential campaign of George McGovern, and he delivered the former South Dakota senator's nomination speech at the Democratic National Convention that year. In 1989, McGovern was appointed by Congressman Moakley to lead an investigation into the murder of several missionaries in El Salvador. In 1995, he served as an alternate member of the Interagency Council on Women.

Congressional record

McGovern is currently a Democratic whip for the New England region.

Current committee assignments

* Committee on the Budget
* Committee on Rules
** Subcommittee on Rules and the Organization of the House (Chairman)

Foreign policy

McGovern is the author of a resolution that would force President Bush to end the Iraq War.McGovern was one of five members of Congress arrested on 28 April 2006 after protesting outside the Sudanese Embassy over atrocities in the Darfur region. [Jim Doyle, [http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/28/MNG4RIH93T7.DTL Five members of Congress arrested over Sudan protest] , "San Francisco Chronicle", 28 April 2006. Accessed 2006-09-25.]

In April 2007 McGovern called for the United States and other countries to boycott the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China to protest the Chinese government's support of the Sudanese government and extensibly the slaughter in Darfur. [Melady, Mark. [http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070414/NEWS/704140340/1005/NEWS06 McGovern suggests boycott of Olympics.] "Worcester Telegram & Gazette", April 142007. Accessed April 142007.]

On March 25, 2008 a controversial editorial appeared in the "Wall Street Journal," discussing McGovern's opposition to the U.S.-Colombian Free Trade Agreement and his connections to an intermediary to the FARC rebels in Colombia. The editorial accused McGovern of making "an ardent effort to do business directly with the FARC." [ [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120640555842961083.html?mod=opinion_main_review_and_outlooks Review & Outlook: A FARC Fan's Notes.] "Wall Street Journal," March 25 2008. Accessed June 23 2008.] McGovern said the editorial erroneously conflates two separate issues: his opposition to a proposed Colombian trade deal based on what he calls that country’s human rights abuses against union organizers, and his efforts to help win the release of hostages held by the FARC. [ [http://www.telegram.com/article/20080326/NEWS/803260394/1052/NEWSREWIND McGovern angry over claim he backs Colombian rebels.] "Worcester Telegram & Gazette", March 262008. Accessed June 23 2008.]

References

External links

* [http://www.house.gov/mcgovern Congressman James P. McGovern] , U.S. House site
* [http://www.jimmcgovern.com/ Re-Elect Congressman Jim McGovern] , official campaign site
* [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Jim_McGovern Profile] at SourceWatch Congresspedia
* [http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/1025-17.htm US Representative Jim McGovern to Introduce Bill Ending Funding for Iraq War] , via Common Dreams NewsCenter, October 25, 2005
* [http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060109/mcgovern The Legacy of Four Women by George McGovern & Jim McGovern] , via The Nation, December 21, 2005
* [http://www.soaw.org/new/newswire_detail.php?id=227 McGovern blasts School of Americas; Holy Cross holds forum on Army training program] , via School of American Watch, January 17, 2003