Jewish Members of Congress: Frank Lautenberg (Senator, New Jersey)

The son of Polish and Russian immigrants, Senator Lautenberg truly is a product of the American Dream. Lautenberg was first elected to the US Senate in 1982, serving until 2001. He then returned to the Senate to win a fourth term in 2002. During his early term as a Senator, Lautenberg authored legislation that helped balance the budget and preserved federal funding for Amtrak. He has also been a leading advocate on a wide range of progressive issues. Lautenberg has created legislation to help those in need, such as the Ryan White Care Act to provide services to AIDs patients, the Domestic Violence Gun Ban, the Computer Education Assistance Act, the first major legislation addressing racial profiling by police officers and various bills cracking down on second hand smoke. He has been a leading figure in battling drunk driving, receiving the first annual "Excellence in Public Service" from Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Lautenberg has also protected citizens from polluting companies through the Community Right to Know Act and legislation protecting public beaches. On foreign affairs, he has authored laws banning foreign aid to countries that sponsor terrorism. He currently serves on the Appropriations Committee, Budget Committee, Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and Environment and Public Works Committee. Lautenberg resides in Cliffside Park with his wife Bonnie. They have four children and ten grandchildren.

For more information on Senator Lautenberg, please visit http://lautenberg.senate.gov/about/biography.cfm.