Biography

In his short time in Congress, Mike Conaway has quickly earned the reputation as “a voice of reason” in Washington. Mike represents the 11 th Congressional District of Texas consisting of 36 counties in Central and West Texas including Midland, Odessa and San Angelo.

A native Texan, Mike grew up in Odessa, graduating from Odessa Permian High School in 1966 after playing on Permian's first state championship football team. He graduated from Texas A & M University-Commerce in 1970 with a BBA degree in Accounting.

After serving in the Army at Fort Hood, Mike resumed his career with Price Waterhouse & Co. He returned to the Permian Basin with Price Waterhouse and settled in Midland where he later worked with George W. Bush as the Chief Financial Officer for Bush Exploration. Mike developed a lasting friendship with President Bush as together they learned what it takes to run a business.

In 1995, then-Governor Bush appointed Mike to the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. Mike volunteered his time to serve the citizens of Texas on the board for seven years, including more than five years as Chairman.

Mike has given countless hours as a volunteer, working jointly with Texas charities on numerous boards and organizations. In 1990, he was named "Volunteer of the Decade" by the Community Services branch of the Midland YMCA.

Mike has demonstrated policy leadership as a new member in Congress and serves as an Assistant Majority Whip for the 109 th Congress. Mike was the first freshman member of Congress to win the Ronald Reagan Award for showing exemplary leadership in communicating the message of Social Security reform with their constituents.

Mike’s background as a CPA has given him the credibility to be a vocal proponent in reducing the national debt. As a small business owner Mike knows the burden excessive regulation, expansive government and taxes put on the American family and small businesses. Last year, Mike introduced the No New Programs Act, legislation that would slow the growth of government by making it harder to create new federal programs.

Mike currently serves on the House Agriculture, Armed Services, and Budget Committees. As a member of the Armed Services Committee he supports the goals of the Global War on Terror and the men and women in the armed forces. On the Agriculture Committee Mike works to protect the interests of rural America and the American farmer in the upcoming 2007 Farm Bill.

An ordained deacon in the Baptist Church, Mike and Suzanne have four children and six grandchildren.