Sam Graves

Infobox_Congressman
name = Sam Graves


date of birth = birth date and age|1963|11|07
place of birth = Tarkio, Missouri
occupation= farmer
residence=Tarkio, Missouri
alma_mater= University of Missouri
state = Missouri
district = 6th
term_start = January 3, 2001
preceded = Pat Danner
succeeded = Incumbent
party = Republican
religion = Baptist
spouse = Lesley Hickok

Samuel "Sam" Graves (born November 7 1963) is a politician from the U.S. state of Missouri, currently representing ushr|Missouri|6| in the United States House of Representatives.

Biography

Graves was born in Tarkio, Missouri and he graduated from the University of Missouri. He is a former volunteer fireman and Eagle Scout. He is also a sixth-generation farmer. Graves was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1992 as a Republican and he was then elected to the Missouri State Senate in 1994.

In 2000, Congresswoman Pat Danner suddenly retired due to breast cancer. Graves filed within the short period of time left for filing. Graves faced Congresswoman Danner's son, Steve Danner, a former Missouri state senator, in the general election. Graves referred to Danner as a "tax and spend Liberal" and won the race with 51% of the vote [http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/raceresults.asp?eid=14&oid=3990&arc=1] . Graves easily won re-election in 2002, [http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/raceresults.asp?eid=87&oid=24483&arc=1] 2004, [http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/raceresults.asp?eid=131&oid=32756&arc=1] and 2006 [http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/raceresults.asp?eid=189&oid=43072&arc=] .Because Missouri's 6th District has changed between Democratic and Republican control several times, elections in the district tend to be closely contested. As a result, candidates in the district often receive large contributions from their national parties and party leaders. Graves received a total of $35,000 from former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's ARMPAC. [http://www.ourfuture.org/issues_and_campaigns/accountablecongress/delay/money9.cfm]

In September 2008 Graves voted against the Proposed bailout of United States financial system saying it neither "punished the wrongdoers nor adequately protected the innocent taxpayers, investors and retirees” caught in the Wall Street banking crisis." [cite news | url=http://www.stjoenews.net/news/2008/sep/30/graves-boyda-vote-against-700b-bailout-us-house/ | title=Graves, Boyda vote against $700B bailout in the U.S. House | publisher=The News-Press |date= September 30, 2008 | first= | last= | accessdate =2007-05-17]

Graves is the brother of Todd Graves, former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. [cite news | url=http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080930/BLOGS09/80930039 | title=Kit Bond apologizes for staff's role in firing of federal prosecutor | publisher=News-Leader |date= September 30, 2008 | first= | last= | accessdate =2007-05-17] In October 2008, Senator Kit Bond apologized to Todd Graves, after a U.S. Justice Department report cited Bond forcing Graves out over a disagreement with Representative Graves. [cite news | url=http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080930/BLOGS09/80930039 | title=Kit Bond apologizes for staff's role in firing of federal prosecutor | publisher=The News Leader |date= September 30, 2008 | first= | last= | accessdate =2007-05-17] Following the report, Attorney General Michael Mukasey appointed a special prosecutor to investigate whether former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and other officials involved in the firings of nine U.S. attorneys broke the law. [cite news | url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/706763.html | title=Prosecutor will investigate firings of nine U.S. Attorneys | publisher=The Miami Herald |date= September 29, 2008 | first= | last= | accessdate =2007-05-17]

Committee Assignments

*Agriculture Committee
**Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research
**Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
*Small Business Committee
**Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology
*Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
**Subcommittee on Aviation
**Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management (Ranking Member)
**Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials

2008 re-election campaign

On May 14, 2007, former Kansas City, Missouri mayor and Park University professor Kay Barnes announced herself as a Democratic candidate for the 6th District Congressional seat. [cite news | url=http://www.fortmilltimes.com/124/story/306466.html | title=Bio information on Barnes, Graves | publisher=Fort Mill Times |date= September 30, 2008 | first= | last= | accessdate =2008-10-17] The election is expected to be competitive. [cite news | url=http://www.examiner.com/a-1613557~Most_Missouri_lawmakers_oppose_bailout_measure.html | title=Most Missouri lawmakers oppose bailout measure | publisher=Examiner |date= September 30, 2008 | first= | last= | accessdate =2008-10-17]

Criticism

According to the Associated Press, Graves spent nearly half of a $273,000 US Grant for spending on urban youth programs in his district on curbing gothic subculture in Blue Springs, Missouri in 2002. [ [http://www.kctv5.com/Global/story.asp?S=1886173&nav=1PuZNJoc Almost Half of Grant to Combat Goth Culture in Blue Springs Returned] . KCTV. May 21, 2004.] Graves sought to spend $118,000 of that money for therapy, assessment and case management, as well as a series of town meetings to discuss the issue. But because there was not enough interest, Graves' project shifted from Goths to counterculture and negative influences.

References

External links

* [http://www.house.gov/graves/ U.S. Congressman Sam Graves] official site
* [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Sam_Graves Profile] at SourceWatch Congresspedia
* [http://www.reviewjournal.com/db/election.results?money=pacshmo6rep&results=y Top PAC Donations to Grave's Campaign] from Review Journal, 2002
* [http://www.gravesforcongress.com/ Sam Graves for Congress] official campaign site