Jason Altmire

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Jason Altmire
Jason Altmire
Incumbent
Assumed office 
January 4, 2007
Preceded by Melissa Hart
Born March 7, 1968 (1968-03-07) (age 40)
Kittanning, Pennsylvania
Political party Democratic
Spouse Kelly Altmire
Religion Roman Catholic

Jason Altmire (born March 7, 1968) is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives representing Pennsylvania's Fourth Congressional district.

Contents

[edit] Early years and education

Altmire was born in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania, where he was a record-breaking two-sport letterman at Burrell High School. During his junior year, he set a school record in track and field that stood for many years and was recognized as an all-star wide receiver in football[1]. A serious knee injury kept him off the athletic field as a high school senior, and in 1986 he matriculated at Florida State University, in Tallahassee, Florida. Following a lengthy rehabilitation of his knee injury, he tried out for and made the Seminole football team.[2] He graduated in 1990 with a B.S. in Political Science, completing his academic requirements with an internship in the Tallahassee campaign office of Douglas "Pete" Peterson, then a candidate for Congress in Florida's Second Congressional District.[3] He later earned a Master's in Health Administration from George Washington University in Washington, DC.

[edit] Career prior to election to the House

[edit] Legislative assistant

After Peterson won the 1990 congressional race against incumbent Rebublican Congressman Bill Grant, he hired Altmire to work in his Capitol Hill office. Altmire worked as a legislative assistant during Peterson's three terms in office (1991-1996), specializing in domestic policy issues. He gained an expertise in health care issues and helped Peterson draft several major health care proposals. In 1993, Altmire was appointed to a working group for President Clinton's Task Force on National Health Care Reform.[4][citation needed]

[edit] Legislative relations

In 1998, Altmire returned to Western Pennsylvania to work for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). By 2005, he was the acting Vice President for Government Relations and Community Health Service. His duties at UPMC included oversight of UPMC’s Office of Charitable Giving, which has primary discretion over UPMC’s $6 million in annual charitable donations. He also represented UPMC in discussions with government officials and local community organizations.[5] Also, during this time, Altmire was a frequent volunteer and community activist, serving on the boards of more than a dozen community and civic organizations. In recognition of his community service, in 2003 he was named by Pittsburgh Magazine as one of Pittsburgh's "40 under 40"[6], and in 2005 he was awarded the prestigious Arcadia Award by Northern Allegheny Camber of Commerce. The Arcadia Award is presented annually to the local business leader who most exemplifies dedication to community service.[7]

[edit] 2006 election to the U.S. House of Representatives

Altmire left UPMC on June 30, 2005, to run for Congress against three-term incumbent Rebublican Congresswoman Melissa Hart, who was considered by most observers to be invulnerable. On May 17, 2006 he won the Democratic nomination in a hard-fought primary against millionaire businesswoman Georgia Berner, then set his sights on Hart in what many considered to be a long-shot campaign.[8]

Altmire campaigned relentlessly and was able to raise more than $1 million for his campaign.[9] After polling well behind Hart early in the race, he eventually closed the gap heading into the final weeks before the election. On November 7, 2006, Altmire defeated Hart with 52% of the vote.

[edit] Record in Congress

Altmire serves as a subcommittee chariman and has also been active on health care issues, serving as co-chair of the New Democratic Coalition's Health Care Task Force.[10] During his first year in office, Altmire received frequent media coverage, appearing as the focal point of articles in TIME Magazine[11], the USA Today[12] and the New York Times[13], among others. He also appeared as a featured guest on several national television programs, including MSNBC, Bloomberg television, CNBC and Fox News. On January 24, 2007, he was interviewed by Stephen Colbert on Comedy Central's popular political satire, The Colbert Report.[14]

[edit] 2008 Re-Election Campaign

Altmire will once again face Melissa Hart in the 2008 congressional election[15].

[edit] Committee Assignments

  • House Committee on Small Business
    • Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight (Chairman)
    • Subcommittee on Regulations, Healthcare and Trade
  • Committee on Education and Labor
    • Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness
  • Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
    • Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management
    • Subcommittee on Highways and Transit

[edit] Personal

Altmire is married to the former Kelly Lynn Fagan of Winter Haven, Florida, and is the father of two school-aged daughters.

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Pittsburgh Press, December 9, 1984"
  2. ^ "Florida State Times, Feb/March 2007 http://www.fsu.edu/~fstime/FS-Times/Feb07.pdf
  3. ^ PETERSON, Douglas Brian (Pete) - Biographical Information
  4. ^ "Washington Post, March 30, 1993"
  5. ^ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 29, 2005 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05149/511086-54.stm
  6. ^ 2003 Pittsburgh Magazine http://www.wqed.org/mag/40/2003/winners.shtml
  7. ^ "Pgh Tribune-Review, May 1, 2005." http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/search/s_329737.html
  8. ^ "Pgh Trib-Review, June 18, 2006" http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/search/s_458419.html
  9. ^ Congressional Races
  10. ^ Press Release : Altmire (PA04) : Altmire Presses for Common Sense Solutions to 21st Century Health Care Challenges
  11. ^ The Plight of the Antiwar Democrat - TIME
  12. ^ 'Earmark' analysis shows money follows power - USATODAY.com
  13. ^ A Battle Over Venture Capital for Small Businesses - New York Times
  14. ^ Honda - Comedy Central - The Colbert Report - Pennsylvania's 4th - SPIKE Powered By IFILM
  15. ^ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Unofficial List of Candidates

[edit] External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Melissa Hart		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district
2007–		 Succeeded by
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