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Biography of Congressman Sensenbrenner

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F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., (Jim), is a Republican Member of Congress representing the Fifth Congressional District of Wisconsin.  He won his race to become a Member of Congress in November of 1978, after serving ten years in the Wisconsin State Legislature.  Congressman Sensenbrenner assumed the chairmanship of the House Committee on the Judiciary beginning in the 107th Congress.  He has established a strong record on crime, constitutional, and intellectual property issues as a long-serving member of the Judiciary Committee.  Previously, Congressman Sensenbrenner also served as Chairman of the House Committee on Science, where he solidified his reputation as an independent leader on science issues, as well as oversight.

Throughout his public life, Congressman Sensenbrenner has been at the forefront of efforts to eliminate wasteful government spending and protect the interests of American taxpayers. He has regularly been cited by the National Taxpayers Union as one of the most fiscally responsible House Members. 

THE FIFTH DISTRICT

The Fifth District of Wisconsin forms an arc surrounding Milwaukee to the North and West. This area includes parts of Jefferson, Milwaukee and Waukesha counties, and all of Ozaukee and Washington counties.

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

  • Committee on the Judiciary, Chairman
PUBLIC CAREER
  • Member of Congress, January 1979 to present
  • Wisconsin State Senator, April 1975 to January 1979; Assistant Minority Leader, 1976 to January 1979
  • Wisconsin State Representative, January 1969 to April 1975
ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATIONS
  • State Bar of Wisconsin 
  • Waukesha County Republican Party
  • Riveredge Nature Center 
  • American Philatelic Society
  • Friends of the Museum
ACHIEVEMENTS/AWARDS
  • Defender of the Constitution Award (2004) -- Conservative Political Action Conference
  • NAM Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence (2003-2004) -- National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
  • Taxpayers' Friend Award -- National Taxpayers Union (1979-2004) -- Ranked "first" in the House (1985, 1989, and 1991); tied (1993-1995); ranked "second" in the House, voted for least new spending (1999)
  • Taxpayers' Hero Award -- Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (1991-1997, 1999) -- Tied for "first" in the House (1993, 1994)
  • Taxpayer Hero (1999); Treasury Guardian (2000, 2003) -- Taxpayers for Common Sense
  • Friend of the Taxpayer Award (1997-1998); Hero of the Taxpayer Award (1999-2004) -- Americans for Tax Reform
  • Friend of the Shareholder Award (2001-2004) -- American Shareholders Association
  • Eagle Award -- Associated Builders and Contractors (106th Congress)
  • Guardian of Small Business -- National Federation of Independent Business (96th, 97th, 98th, 99th, 100th, 101st, 102nd, 103rd, 104th, 105th, 106th, 107th, 108th Congress)
  • Deficit Hawk Award (1993-1995, 1997); Fiscal Responsibility Honor Roll (1999, 2000) -- The Concord Coalition
  • Spirit of Enterprise Award -- U.S. Chamber of Commerce (1988-1993, 1995-1999, 2001)
  • Golden Bulldog Award -- Watchdogs of the Treasury, Inc. (1979-1995, 1999-2000)
  • Jefferson Award -- Citizens for a Sound Economy (104th, 105th, 107th Congress)
  • Tax Fighter Award -- The National Tax-Limitation Committee (1996; 1999-2000; 2003-2004)
  • Guardian of Seniors' Rights Award (2001-2003); Super Friend of Seniors Award (1996-1998); Benjamin Franklin Award (1997, 2004) -- The 60 Plus Association
  • Thomas Jefferson Award -- Food Distribution Industry (1997, 1999, 2002, 2004)
  • Excellence in Oversight Award -- House Majority Leader Armey (105th Congress)
  • Humane Legislators in 2000 -- American Humane Association (2000)
  • Small Business Advocate (1999, 2004); Champion of Small Business (2001, 2002) -- Small Business Survival Committee
  • Senior Legislative Achievement Award -- The Seniors Coalition (106th Congress)
PERSONAL
    Born: June 14, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois

    Education: B.A. degree, Political Science, Stanford University, 1965;
    J.D. degree, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1968

    Married Cheryl Warren, (1977); Children: Frank, (1981), and Bob, (1984)

    Permanent Residence: Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

    Occupation: Full-time legislator; formerly a practicing attorney

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