Biography

Congressman Holden, born March 5, 1957, is a native of St. Clair, Pennsylvania. Public service has played an integral role in Tim's family history. His father, Joseph "Sox" Holden was a four term County Commissioner. His great grandfather, John Siney, was founder of the Miners Benevolent Association, which evolved into the United Mine Workers.

After attending St. Mary's Elementary School and St. Clair Area High School, he received an athletic scholarship to Fork Union Military Academy, completing one year of college prep. Tim earned a football scholarship to the University of Richmond but an unfortunate bout with tuberculosis cut short his college career. After recuperating, Tim completed his education at Bloomsburg University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology.

In 1980 Tim earned his license as an insurance broker and real estate agent, enabling him to gain experience in the family business. Tim went on to work as a probation officer and then sergeant-at-arms for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Tim was Sheriff of Schuylkill County from 1985 to 1992.

Tim began his ninth term as a Member of Congress in January 2009. The Seventeenth District is comprised of Schuylkill, Dauphin and Lebanon Counties, as well as part of Perry and Berks Counties.

Tim has been a member of the Agriculture Committee since 1993, and was recently appointed Vice Chairman of the House Agriculture committee in the 110th Congress. He was also selected to serve as the Chairman of the Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research, and continues to serve on the Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Subcommittee. In the 105th Congress, Tim was appointed to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Tim serves on the Transportation Subcommittees on Highways and Transit and Aviation.

He and his wife Gwen live in St. Clair, Schuylkill County.