Congressman Tim Holden, born March 5, 1957, is a native of St. Clair, Pennsylvania. Public service has played an integral role in his family history. Joseph "Sox" Holden, his father, served four terms as a Schuylkill County Commissioner and also played professional baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies. 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 2008, Tim received an Honorary Doctorate degree from the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

In 1980 Tim earned his license as an insurance broker and real estate agent, enabling him to gain experience in the family business, Holden Insurance & Realty. Tim went on to work as a probation officer and then Sergeant-at-Arms for the PA House of Representatives. In 1985, at the age of 28, Tim was elected Sheriff of Schuylkill County, the youngest person ever to hold the office as well as the youngest Sheriff in the Commonwealth of PA. He served as Sheriff of Schuylkill County from 1985 to 1992.

Tim was first elected to Congress in 1992 and has been a member of the Agriculture Committee since 1993. He was appointed Vice Chairman of the House Agriculture committee in the 110th Congress and was recently selected to serve as the Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research, and continues to serve on the Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Subcommittee. Tim is also the senior Pennsylvania member serving on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and serves on the Subcommittee of Highways and Transit as well as the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Tim began his tenth term as a Member of Congress in January 2011. The 17th District is comprised of Schuylkill, Dauphin and Lebanon Counties, as well as parts of Perry and Berks Counties.

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