Sunday, July 14, 2002
U.S. Rep. Joel Hefley, subcommittee chairmanHometown: Colorado Springs, Colo.Age: 67.Political affiliation: Republican.Terms in Congress: Eight.Job before politics: Community planner.YourCongress.com power ranking [out of 435 House members in terms of influence and power]: 48.Fast facts: A conservative who is an advocate for a strong national defense and a self-described staunch supporter of missile defense. The Air Force Academy, North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Space Command and two Air Force bases are in his district. He owns a ranch where he raises quarter horses and sculpts bronze statues of Western scenes and ranch life. Also draws political cartoons.
U.S. Rep. Howard L. Berman, ranking minority memberHometown: North Hollywood, Calif.Age: 61.Political affiliation: Democrat.Terms in Congress: 10.Job before politics: Attorney.YourCongress.com power ranking: 140.Fast facts: Chief Democratic whip for several years on House foreign aid bills and a leader in support of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. Fought to reduce international arms sales and the proliferation of missile and nuclear weapons technology. His congressional district, in Los Angeles County, was hit hard by the recession of the early 1990s, including the closing in 1992 of a General Motors plant.
U.S. Rep. Judy BiggertHometown: Hinsdale, Ill.Age: 64.Political affiliation: Republican.Terms in Congress: Two.Job before politics: Attorney.YourCongress.com power ranking: 231.Fast facts: Cited by Glamour magazine as one of the "New Female Power Players" and by Fortune magazine as one of the "Picks of Congress' New Litter." She is co-chairwoman of the Congressional Caucus on Women's Issues. During her first term in Congress, two bills she sponsored became law: One makes it easier to report and track down computer-based sex crimes against children, and the other increases penalties for traffickers of club drugs such as Ecstasy. Her district includes portions of three counties representing the western and southwestern suburbs of Chicago.
U.S. Rep. Ed PastorHometown: Phoenix, Ariz.Age: 59.Political affiliation: Democrat.Terms in Congress: Six.Job before politics: Attorney.YourCongress.com power ranking: 119.Fast facts: He is one of the four chief deputy whips in the Democratic leadership in Congress. He is a former chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. His congressional district includes central Phoenix, the west side of Tucson, and Yuma, which is one of the hottest places in the country. His district encompasses three-fourths of Arizona's border with Mexico.
U.S. Rep. Kenny C. HulshofHometown: Columbia, Mo.Age: 44.Political affiliation: Republican.Terms in Congress: Three.Job before politics: Attorney.YourCongress.com power ranking: 252.Fast facts: He was named president of the Republican freshman class by his GOP colleagues during his first term in Congress. Represents 21 primarily agricultural counties in northeastern and central Missouri. He has an undergraduate degree in agriculture economics.
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs JonesHometown: Cleveland, Ohio.Age: 52.Political affiliation: Democrat.Terms in Congress: Two.Job before politics: Attorney.YourCongress.com power ranking: 383.Fast facts: She is the first black woman elected to Congress from Ohio. Her district includes the east side of Cleveland and parts of 16 municipalities in the northeastern portion of the state. She was the first black and woman prosecutor in Cuyahoga County, and the first black woman to sit on the common pleas bench in Ohio.
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTouretteHometown: Madison, Ohio.Age: 47.Political affiliation: Republican.Terms in Congress: Four.
Job before politics: Attorney.
YourCongress.com power ranking: 63.
Fast facts: He is a friend and was a vocal supporter of Traficant's before the congressman's corruption trial. While Lake County prosecutor, he received national attention for the successful prosecution of the Kirtland cult murders, in which a religious cult murdered an entire family and buried them in a Kirtland barn. Beginning next year, his congressional district will include seven northern Trumbull County townships, most of which are represented by Traficant.
U.S. Rep. Gene GreenHometown: Houston, Texas.Age: 54.Political affiliation: Democrat.Terms in Congress: Five.Job before politics: Attorney.YourCongress.com power ranking: 276.
Fast facts: He served 20 years in the Texas House and Senate before being elected to Congress. The University of Houston gave him their 1995 distinguished alumnus award. His district includes the Port of Houston and the Bush Intercontinental Airport as well as oil refineries and other heavy industries.