Back in 1996, the people of Idaho voted to send me to our nation's capital to represent them in the United States Senate. Each day, I wake up early and walk to my office, which is in a building across the street from the Capitol Building. My office is where I usually meet with people who come to visit with me to talk about things that are important to them and issues that the Senate is considering.

One of the most important part of my job happens in the big room where the Senate meets, called the Senate Chamber or the Senate Floor. This is where all the senators get together and formally debate the best way to make our laws.

Whenever I am not on the Senate Floor, or working in one of my committees, I am in my office meeting with Idahoans, listening to their views, and talking about issues.

If you have any ideas, or want to tell me what you think about any of the issues that the Senate is considering, I hope you will take a moment to contact me.

But, while you are here, check out the rest of this page. You can learn more about me by reading my biography and exploring where I stand on a few of the issues. Also, there are some neat pictures of people who have come to visit me and events that I have attended.

Senator Larry Craig was born in Council, Idaho on the family ranch July 20, 1945. He was active in school, serving as the Idaho State President and National Vice President of the Future Farmers of America. He went to college at the University of Idaho and graduated in 1969. He did graduate studies at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. before returning to Idaho to work on the family ranch in 1971.

In 1974, Senator Craig was elected to represent Payette and Washington counties in the Idaho State Senate. In 1980 he was elected to the United States Congress and served five terms before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1990. He was re-elected to the Senate in 1996 for his second term and in 2002 for his third term that will end in January 2009.

Every senator is assigned to committees that look over bills in a subject area and figure out whether changes are needed before the whole Senate can vote on them. Senator Craig currently sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Special Committee on Aging and is Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

He is married to the former Suzanne Thompson. They have three children: two sons, Mike and Jay, a daughter, Shae, and nine beautiful grandchildren. Other members of the family include two dogs, Wags and Tattie, a cat, Nick, and several fish.

As a rancher, I understand the importance of agriculture to our country and the families of Idaho. I also understand the hardships farmers must sometimes endure. I support programs which help us maintain a stable food supply.

In order to give farmers more freedom, I support proposals which allow farmers to sell their products more easily, both here in the United States and in other countries.

The national interests of the United States can be challenged at any time. I support a strong, yet lean, fighting force so that we are prepared to face these challenges.

Strength has brought about the period of peace we enjoy. The men and women of our armed forces must be the best-trained and best-equipped in the world.

You will shape America's future and the world's future. That is why I believe you must have all the skills and knowledge needed to lead in a competitive world. Parents, teachers, and local school officials should be entrusted with providing you with the raw materials to learn.

People, not committees in Washington, DC, ought to decide what their children should be taught and how our education dollars should be spent. Any role played by the federal government should be kept at a minimum.

I encourage all students in Idaho to go beyond just learning their lessons at school by getting involved in their communities. Volunteer at a local nursing home. Join a service organization like the Boy Scouts or help a neighbor in need. You can make a big difference to other people and learn a little bit about yourself at the same time.