About Leonard

Congressman Leonard Boswell was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996. In his tenure as a Member of Congress, Boswell has supported meaningful tax relief to working families, secured support and services for military families and veterans, and has been instrumental in crafting aviation security legislation. 

He continues to fight to keep small businesses and rural communities vital, focusing on real priorities of Iowa’s families and restoring fiscal accountability to government.  During the 112th Congress, Boswell is committed to work with his colleagues and the Administration to move our country forward by fighting for legislation that invests in producing American goods with American hands, grows Iowa’s industries and small businesses, and stops the outsourcing of U.S. jobs.  As a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Boswell will continue to build upon the successes and job creation opportunities that he has brought to the 3rd District in order to provide the jobs and economic growth that our nation needs.

Boswell is serving as the Ranking Member of the powerful Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management.  In his position as Ranking Member, he will play an integral role in guaranteeing that producers have risk management tools that truly work, while ensuring that consumers have a safe and affordable food supply, as they work toward the 2012 Farm Bill.  The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure named Boswell to serve on two subcommittees: the Subcommittee Aviation and the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, which will position Boswell to play an integral role in writing the next highway bill.

Boswell’s legislative career began in 1985 in the Iowa State Senate.  He was instrumental in passing significant spending reform legislation that put Iowa’s finances back on track, ensuring a government that was both fiscally responsible and responsive to the needs of Iowans.  In 1992, he was elected as Senate President, and once again in 1994 by the unanimous vote of his colleagues.  He also served as chairman of the Appropriations Committee.

Prior to his legislative career, Boswell spent twenty years in the Army.  He was drafted in the Army in 1956 as a private. He later graduated from Artillery Officers Candidate School, eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  During his long and distinguished military career (earning him two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Soldier’s Medal, two Bronze Stars, an Air Medal with V device, and numerous other awards and decorations) Boswell saw the world.  He served two one-year tours of duty as an assault helicopter pilot in Vietnam.

He also served two NATO tours of duty in Europe, first for four years in Germany, and later three years in Portugal.  Boswell, who was a student and instructor at the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, was inducted in to its Hall of Fame on May 11, 2010.

Boswell spent 20 years in the Army, eventually retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Leonard Boswell was born January 10, 1934, and raised in Ringgold and Decatur counties. He attended public school where he learned the tremendous value of Iowa’s exceptional teachers and education system and graduated from Lamoni High School.  He later received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Graceland College, where he met his future wife Dody.  This dedication to a quality education continues today as he diligently works to see to it that the quality of Iowa schools, teachers, and students continue to improve upon their nationally recognized high level.  He supported increasing Pell Grants to the level they are today, more than double the level they were when he was first elected to Congress, providing students with the means they need to continue their education and strive for a better future.

Boswell still maintains an interest in agriculture through his operation of the family farm.  He has three children and four grandchildren with Dody.