Difference between revisions of "Tom Udall"

Revision as of 23:53, 14 October 2011

Tom Udall

Template:TOCnestleft Tom Udall is a Democratic member of the United States Senate, representing New Mexico.

Background

Tom Udall was born to Stewart Udall and Lee Udall in Tucson, Arizona on May 18, 1948.

In 1970, Tom Udall began attending Prescott College in Arizona, where he earned his undergraduate degree. After receiving his Bachelor of Laws Degree from Cambridge University in 1975, Tom chose to make New Mexico his permanent home. He attended University of New Mexico Law School and graduated in 1977. Tom then served as a Law Clerk to Chief Justice Oliver Seth of the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and became a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's criminal division. As Chief Counsel to the New Mexico Department of Health and Environment.

Tom Udall is married to Jill Cooper and they have one grown daughter.^[1]

NM Attorney General

In 1990, New Mexicans chose Tom Udall as their Attorney General. Elected with broad support, he made fighting DWI and domestic violence a priority and working with the Legislature, enacted tougher laws against offenders. He also worked to protect consumers, especially senior citizens, from rampant telemarketing and other forms of fraud. Additionally, Tom made ethics a trademark issue, increasing transparency in government and prosecuting corrupt politicians, even members of his own party. In 1994, Tom was elected to a second term as Attorney General.^[2]

Congress

In 1998, Udall was elected to represent the 3rd Congressional District of New Mexico in the U.S. House of Representatives. In the House, Udall wrote and passed legislation to establish a national renewable electricity standard, which would spur the creation of good jobs, reinvigorate our economy, and reduce global warming emissions. He has been a champion of expanding preventive health care. He voted against the Iraq War and is a leading proponent for an accelerated transition in the Afghanistan War to an Afghan-led effort. Udall has also consistently championed tougher ethics laws both as Attorney General and in Congress, where he voted to create an independent commission to investigate corruption among members of Congress.^[3]

Senate

A decade later, Tom Udall was elected and sworn in as New Mexico's junior senator. In the Senate, he serves on five committees: the Committee on Foreign Relations; the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation; the Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW); the Committee on Indian Affairs; and the Committee on Rules and Administration.

As a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, Tom is charged with congressional oversight of U.S. operations and programs beyond our borders, aiming to keep America safe, promote democracy and foster international development and conservation. Tom's work on the Commerce Committee focuses on a variety of issues ranging from greater broadband deployment and consumer protection to encouraging innovation and promoting science, and oversight and expansion of the nation's communications infrastructure. In his role on EPW, Udall continues his work on energy and environmental issues. On the Indian Affairs Committee, he carries on his longtime mission of helping shape the unique matters concerning Native Americans, including economic development, trust responsibilities, land management, Indian education and health programs. Through the Rules Committee, Tom is working to reform government and Congress to "better work for the American people, not the special interests".^[4]

Congressional Progressive Caucus

As of February 20 2009 Tom Udall was briefly listed as one of only two Senate members (with Bernie Sanders) of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.^[5]

Planned Parenthood

Udall received $10,000 in lobbying funds from Planned Parenthood in 2008.

Supported by Council for a Livable World

The Council for a Livable World, founded in 1962 by long-time socialist activist and alleged Soviet agent, Leo Szilard, is a non-profit advocacy organization that seeks to "reduce the danger of nuclear weapons and increase national security", primarily through supporting progressive, congressional candidates who support their policies. The Council supported Tom Udall in his successful 2008 Senate run as candidate for New Mexico.^[6] He has also been previously supported by the Council in his successful House of Representatives run as candidate for New Mexico.^[7]

The Wilderness Society

On April 29, 2010, The Wilderness Society held a celebration for the 50^th anniversary of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Society's president, William H. Meadows joined Senators Tom Udall (D-NM) and Mark Udall (D-CO), together with Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) in addressing the event. Also speaking were Luci Beach, Tom Campion, Brian Moore, Evan Hirsche, Mary Beth Beetham and Debbie Sease.^[8]

Staff

The following have worked as staff members for Tom Udall:^[9]

External links

Udall's website with the Senate

References

Template:Reflist

[1] Senate bio, accessed Aug. 16, 2011

[2] Senate bio, accessed Aug. 16, 2011

[3] Senate bio, accessed Aug. 16, 2011

[4] Senate bio, accessed Aug. 16, 2011

[5] Congressional Progressive Caucus website: Caucus Member List

[clw-6] CLW website: Meet Our Candidates

[since1962-7] CLW website: Who We've Helped Elect

[8] The Wilderness Society Press Release: The Wilderness Society Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, April 29, 2010 (accessed on Dec. 17, 2010)

[9] Legistorm: Tom Udall (accessed on Aug. 24, 2010)

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