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U.S. Senator Frank R. LautenbergThe phrase "only in America" has a special meaning for Senator Frank R. Lautenberg. Lautenberg began his life as the son of poor but hard-working immigrant parents. Following their example, he rolled up his sleeves and pursued the American Dream. He succeeded in spectacular fashion, first as a businessman and founder of a major computing services firm, and then as a U.S. Senator with a number of major legislative accomplishments. Lautenberg retired from the Senate in 2000 after 18 years of service, but returned in 2002 to once again serve the state and nation that have given him so much. An American JourneySenator Lautenberg was born in Paterson, New Jersey, the son of Polish and Russian immigrants who came to the United States through Ellis Island. His early life was unsettled as his parents moved about a dozen times while struggling to support the family. Lautenberg's father, Sam, worked in the silk mills, sold coal, farmed and once ran a tavern. When Lautenberg was 19, his father died of cancer. To help his family, he worked nights and weekends until he graduated from Nutley High School. After graduating from Nutley, Lautenberg enlisted and served in the Army Signal Corps in Europe during World War II. Following the war, he attended Columbia University on the G.I. Bill and graduated with a degree in economics in 1949. With his military service completed and his education secured, Lautenberg set out to build a career. He joined with two boyhood friends from his old neighborhood to found the nation's first payroll services company, Automatic Data Processing. Lautenberg served as chairman and CEO, and along with his partners developed ADP into one of the largest computing services company in the world. From CEO to Senator: A new career, another successSen. Lautenberg always knew that his success was a uniquely American story. He wanted to give something back to the nation that had given him so many opportunities. He decided to launch a new career in politics and - running for his first public office - was elected to the Senate in 1982. He was re-elected in 1988 and 1994, and returned to win a fourth term in 2002 after two years away. Over his first three terms in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Lautenberg built a solid record of accomplishment on a broad range of issues that touch the lives of New Jerseyans: helping to balance the federal budget, stopping aid to nations that support terrorism, keeping guns out of the hands of convicted domestic abusers, banning smoking on airplanes, getting drunk drivers off our roads, protecting our oceans and environment, and improving our transportation system. Fighting for New Jersey FamiliesSince returning to the Senate in 2003, Senator Lautenberg has picked up where he left off, fighting to improve the lives of New Jersey families. He is the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee on global warming. He has introduced legislation to provide more Homeland Security resources for New Jersey and keep weapons out of the hands of terrorists. And he is working tirelessly to strengthen security in our ports and our national passenger rail system. In a place that is often plagued with gridlock and inertia, Senator Lautenberg has always been someone who bucked the rules, stood up for what he believed, and persisted in making a difference. Senator Lautenberg resides in Cliffside Park with his wife Bonnie. He has four children and ten grandchildren. |
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