Congressman Leonard Boswell has been fortunate to have had a number of extraordinary opportunities in his life. These experiences have shaped his vision to improve the lives of Iowa's working families and his dedication to demonstrate leadership in Congress to provide a federal government that is responsive to the needs of Iowa and reflects our shared values.

Leonard Boswell was born January 10, 1934, and raised in Ringgold and Decatur counties. He attended public school where he learned the tremendous value of Iowa's exceptional teachers and education system and graduated from Lamoni High School. He later received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Graceland College, where he met his future wife Dody. This dedication to a quality education continues today as he diligently works to see to it that the quality of Iowa schools, teachers, and students continue to improve upon their nationally recognized high level. He supported increasing Pell Grants to the level they are today, more than double the level they were when he was first elected to Congress, providing low income students with the means they need to continue their education and strive for a better future.

In 1956, Leonard was drafted into the United States Army as a private. He would spend twenty years serving his country in the Army, eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. While serving his country, his education became an on-going process. He first graduated with honors from the Artillery Officers Candidate School. Later in his career, he would graduate first in his class from both the Army Aviation Fixed Wing Flight School and later from the Army Aviation Helicopter Flight School. He also graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and later returned there as an educator, imparting the knowledge he gained throughout his military career onto another generation of brave soldiers.

During his long and distinguished military career (earning him two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, the Soldier's Medal, and numerous other awards and decorations) Boswell saw the world. Leonard served two one-year tours of duty as an assault helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He also served two NATO tours of duty in Europe, first for four years in Germany, and later three years in Portugal. Though he saw the world, the place he truly desired to be was back home in Iowa.

In 1976, retiring from the United States Army as a decorated and respected officer, Boswell returned to Iowa with his family to farm. The farm life had changed drastically from the one he knew and loved as a boy. The farm crisis of the 1980's hit Iowa particularly hard. However, as Chairman of the Board of Directors of his local farmers' cooperative and grain elevator, Leonard was able to steer the coop through their turbulent times when many others folded.

At the urging of his community, Boswell ran for and was successfully elected to the Iowa Senate in 1984. There he continued his lifelong commitment to education. He was also instrumental in passing significant spending reform legislation that put Iowa's finances back on track, thus ensuring a government that was both fiscally responsible and responsive to the needs of Iowans. In 1992, Boswell was honored by his colleagues in the Senate by being elected as Senate President, and once again in 1994 by the unanimous vote of his colleagues.

In 1996, Leonard was elected to the United States House of Representatives. Here he has continued his traditions of bringing fiscal responsibility to government and securing a good education for all. In his tenure as a Member of Congress, he has participated in bringing about the first balanced federal budget in nearly three decades, provided meaningful tax relief to working families, supported the most comprehensive education reform ever undertaken, and has been instrumental in crafting aviation security legislation. He also continues to fight for keeping Iowa's small businesses and rural communities vital, preventing crime, and fighting for Iowa's families.

On March 14, 2001, Congressman Boswell was named a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Given his extensive military background, and Top Secret clearance, Leonard had a comfortable transition as he took on his committee responsibilities. This committee has oversight over the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as other security agencies. As a member of the Select Committee on Intelligence, Leonard works closely with the administration to ensure our brave men and women in uniform have the information they need to successfully prosecute the war against terrorism. His subcommittee assignments include the Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee Subcommittee, as well as the Human Intelligence, Analysis, and Counterintelligence, of which he is the Ranking Member.

Congressman Boswell also serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and is a member of the Aviation Subcommittee as well as the Subcommittee on Railroads. Leonard is also a member of the Agriculture Committee, where he serves on both the General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, and the Livestock and Horticulture subcommittees.

Leonard and Dody have been married for more than forty years. Dody has been a teacher for more than thirty years, even teaching while the family was stationed in Germany and Portugal. Together they have three children and four grandchildren.

Rep. Leonard Boswell's Official Website

Do you have a story to share?

Is government making a difference in your everyday life? Do you or your community have a problem that government needs to solve?

We'd like to hear from you.

164 judges have been confirmed since the beginning of the Bush Administration. (Senate Judiciary Committee)