US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions

Senator Enzi Official Bio Photo

Ranking Member Mike Enzi

A member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee since his arrival in the Senate in 1997, Michael B. Enzi is Wyoming's 20th United States Senator.  Throughout his time in the Senate, Enzi has distinguished himself as a steady voice for common sense solutions and Wyoming values.  He has earned a reputation among his colleagues as a leader on the critical issues that touch the daily lives of Americans

Enzi served as the sixth Chairman of the Committee from 2005-2007.  In his role current role as Ranking Member he continues his efforts to ensure that students of all ages receive a quality, affordable education.  Additionally, he is focused on ensuring that workers are safe in the workplace and that training is available for Americans to attain the best jobs.  He has worked to oversee the security of pensions for America’s retirees.  A quiet leader in moving the U.S. forward in its battle against AIDS, Enzi has strongly supported domestic and international prevention and treatment programs to support the global fight against the disease.  He continues efforts to work to open Cuba up to travel, trade and most importantly new ideas.

In the 111th Congress, Enzi has played an essential role in the important health care reform debate.  An ardent proponent of reform, Enzi has consistently advocated for specific solutions to improve health care for Americans.  Enzi’s plan would allow market-based pooling and equalize tax treatment of health insurance for all Americans.  It proposes new market-based solutions that will enable uninsured working families to purchase private health insurance.  The bill would expand choices and coverage and give individuals control over their health care and health records.  It would also enhance health care quality and reduce costs.

Pre-Senate Service and Family                               

Enzi was born on February 1, 1944 in Bremerton, Washington while his father was serving our country in the naval shipyards during World War II.  Enzi and his family moved to Thermopolis, Wyoming shortly after his birth where he attended elementary school. He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1962.  He continued his education in Washington, D.C. at George Washington University.  After completing his accounting degree in 1966, he went on to the University of Denver where he earned a Master's Degree in Retail Marketing in 1968.  Enzi is a Rapport Leadership Institute Master Grad.

After marrying Diana (Buckley) in 1969, Enzi and his wife moved to Gillette, Wyoming where they started their own small business, NZ Shoes, eventually placing stores in Sheridan, Wyoming and Miles City, Montana.  Gillette has been his home ever since.  

He served as president of the Wyoming Jaycees (1973-1974).  At age 30 he was elected to the first of his two four-year terms as Mayor of Gillette, providing leadership as the city more than doubled in size.  He served on the Department of the Interior Coal Advisory Committee (1976- 1979), traveling to Washington, D.C. to give advice on coal leasing and other coal issues. He has served his county and state as a State Representative, elected three times beginning in 1987 and a State Senator (1991-1996).  Enzi also served his country in the Wyoming Air National Guard (1967-1973), and he is now cofounder and chairman of the U.S. Air Force Caucus for the U.S. Senate. He was president of the Wyoming Association of Municipalities (1980-1982), a member of the Energy Council Executive Committee (1989-1993, 1994-1996), a commissioner of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (1995-1996) and served on the Education Commission of the States (1989-1993).  He was a member of the founding board of directors of First Wyoming Bank of Gillette (1978-1988) and an employee of a small business, Dunbar Well Service (1985-1997), where he worked as accounting manager and computer programmer.  He was a director of the Black Hills Corporation (1992-1996), a New York Stock Exchange Company.  Enzi was a spokesperson for WyBett, an organization which successfully opposed gambling in Wyoming and has a long record as a champion of small business and community service.

Accessibility Manual

In recognition of the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Senator Enzi has published an updated version of his Accessibility Manual  -  a comprehensive guide to providing Senate offices and constituents with valuable information on accessibility throughout the U.S. Capitol Complex.

This updated manual includes a variety of ideas and suggestions to help address the needs of staff, constituents and visitors with accessibility needs, including: basic rules of etiquette; locations of accessible routes and entrances; accessible room design; and emergency evacuation procedures.

Please feel free to use this manual as you develop policies and procedures for accommodating individuals with accessibility needs, whether they are visiting our nation’s capital or working in a Congressional office.

Click here to view the .pdf file.

Click here to view the .doc file.

 

For more information about Senator Enzi, please visit his website: enzi.senate.gov