Biography Pete Visclosky

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Peter John "Pete" Visclosky (born August 13, 1949) is the U.S. Representative for Indiana's 1st congressional district, serving since 1985. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

The 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.

Early life, education and career

Of Slovak descent, 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. Have you voted for or against Pete Visclosky ? He worked as a lawyer and staff member of United States Representative Adam Benjamin before entering the House. Hometown: Merrillville Birth: On August 13, 1949 in Gary, IN

Political positions

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. Has changed the detail your opinion on Pete Visclosky ? 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.

Political campaigns

Visclosky was challenged by Republican tea party activist Mark Leyva and Libertarian candidate Jon Morris.

Controversies

The Washington Times reported in March 2009 that Visclosky had received, over ten years, $1.36 million in campaign donations from clients of the PMA Group. In 2007 and 2008, the United States House Committee on Appropriations, of which Visclosky is a member, directed $137 million in government purchasing to PMA's clients. The PMA Group is currently under investigation by the FBI. In May 2009, Visclosky received subpoenas in the grand jury investigation into PMA Group, the first member of Congress to be subpoenaed in the investigation. Have you read details about Sarah Palin ? The Congressman was later cleared of all charges by the House Ethics Committee; who detailed in a 305 page report that "Simply because a member sponsors an earmark for an entity that also happens to be a campaign contributor does not, on these two facts alone, support a claim that a member's actions are being influenced by campaign contributions". In 2009, Representative Visclosky was named one of the 15 Most Corrupt Members of Congress by government watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

Personal life

Visclosky is married and has two sons.

Source: wikipedia

November 8th, 2011