Congressman Dave Hobson
Through his record of accomplishments and leadership, as well as his commitment to quality constituent service, Congressman Dave Hobson has earned the respect and strong support of the people he represents in Ohio's 7th Congressional District and his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Hobson's career in public service is characterized by hard work to strengthen national defense, promote economic development, and improve access to quality health care and education.
STRENGTHENING NATIONAL DEFENSE
As a veteran himself, Congressman Hobson has a firsthand understanding of our Armed Forces. He serves as a Senior Member of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee and is a former Chairman of the House Appropriations Military Construction Subcommittee. He has fought to make sure our military has the resources it needs to defend our interests around the world, and has supported the use of high technology to enhance the capabilities of our military personnel. Because our troops and their families sacrifice so much for us, Congressman Hobson has also worked to make sure they receive the pay, benefits, housing, and quality health care they deserve.
HELPING CREATE JOBS
Congressman Hobson uses his experience as a small businessman to work with communities in Ohio's 7th District to promote economic growth and job creation. Part of his efforts has included bringing leaders together from both the public and private sectors to help attract new businesses and support existing ones throughout the district. Most recently, he has been involved with the development of the NextEdge Applied Reseach and Technology Park in Springfield and the Rickenbacker Intermodal Facility in northern Pickaway County.
With four military bases in the district, including: Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), the Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC), the Springfield Air National Guard Base (SANG), and Rickenbacker International Airport, Hobson worked with community leaders and base officials to support the missions at each of these bases. This has included his work to protect Ohio’s military bases from closure and securing thousands of new jobs during the last Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round.
Additionally, Congressman Hobson supports needed transportation improvements in the 7th Congressional District, knowing that infrastructure is one of the main components of economic growth. Since his career in the Ohio Senate, Congressman Hobson has helped spearhead the completion of U.S. Route 35 through Greene, Fayette and Ross counties, as well as the U.S. Route 33 Lancaster bypass and State Route 256 improvements in Fairfield County. He also has been instrumental in focusing attention on U.S. Route 68 in Clark and Champaign counties. Recognizing the importance of continued rail service to the area economy, Congressman Hobson has promoted public-private partnerships to protect existing rail service and ensure that it remains a transportation resource available to 7th District businesses. Air transportation has also been a focus and he has secured funding for needed improvements to airports throughout the district.
REFORMING HEALTH CARE
Continuing the work he began as chairman of the Ohio Senate Health Committee, Congressman Hobson has worked in Congress to preserve the basic values of American health care including access, security, affordability, choice and fairness. He also has supported legislation to ensure fair access to immunizations for low-income children and to help small business owners and farmers secure better prices on health insurance premiums. He has also helped to win passage of legislation to protect the health insurance of families that lose or change jobs. Additionally, he wrote a section of a law to eliminate health care paperwork and fight fraud--both of which will help control costs.
In recent years, Hobson and his colleagues worked to modernize the Medicare program by adding a prescription drug benefit and more choices for seniors, so they can find the coverage that best meets their needs. The Medicare bill also included a Hobson initiative to improve health care for women by making mammograms more accessible. Locally, he was successful in getting the necessary authorization and funding for a new Central Ohio Veterans Ambulatory Clinic to be built on the campus of the Defense Supply Center Columbus in Whitehall.
SUPPORTING LOCAL SCHOOLS, COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
Over the years, Hobson has worked to help support education programs at the elementary and secondary levels, as well as the colleges and universities in the 7th District. His work has included securing funding for curriculum development, teacher training and providing equipment for classrooms.
In recent years, Hobson has helped fund a Department of Energy Program involving Wilberforce University and Central State University to deepen the recruiting pool of scientific and technical staff available to support our nation’s national security programs. He has also been involved with the development of the Air Force Institute of Technology’s (AFIT) new academic building.
SERVING OHIO'S 7TH DISTRICT
Congressman Hobson's top priority continues to be serving the needs of his constituents. Sometimes it involves helping a constituent with a question involving a federal agency regarding benefits, passports or helping a veteran get his medals. He also returns to the 7th District at every opportunity to meet with area residents and remain actively involved in community affairs.
To make sure that the needs of 7th District residents are met while he is in Washington voting, Congressman Hobson maintains district offices in Springfield and Lancaster. He also sponsors monthly "Open Doors" meetings throughout the district, so constituents may share their concerns directly with his staff.
As part of his efforts to reach out to students and support education, Congressman Hobson sponsors the annual 7th Congressional District Art Competition for high school students and military academy seminars for prospective students. He has also sponsored forums on issues such as health care, veterans’ affairs, agriculture, and national defense.
A LEADER IN CONGRESS
Now in his ninth term, Congressman Hobson's reputation for sound judgment and hard work has earned him key committee posts on the House Appropriations Committee. He is the Ranking Member of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee, and a senior Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Committee.
BACKGROUND
· Reelected in 2006 with 61 percent of the vote to Ohio's 7th Congressional District.
· Ranking Member of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee (2007-present); Chairman of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee (2003-2007)
· Senior Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee (1995-present)
· Chairman of the Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee (199-2002)
· Served in the Ohio Senate from 1982 to 1990; President Pro Tempore, Majority Whip, Health and Human Services Committee Chairman.
· Active member of the community as a businessman, Rotarian, former trustee of three area universities, former board member of his church, and member of several veterans organizations.
· Member of Ohio Air National Guard (1958-63), served on active duty overseas during Berlin Wall crisis.
· Graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and the Ohio State University College of Law.
· Dave and his wife, Carolyn, live in Springfield, have three grown children and seven grandchildren.
Washington office: 2346 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, 202/225-4324
Springfield office: 5 W. North St., Suite 200, PO Box 269, Springfield, OH 45501, 937/325-0474
Lancaster office: 212 S. Broad St., Lancaster, OH 43130-4389, 740/654-5149
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