vt_sen_LEAHY
SEN. PATRICK LEAHY
Age: 58 Born: March 31, 1940 in Montpelier, Vermont Education: Georgetown University, J.D. (1964); St. Michael's College, B.S. (1961) Military: none Family: married - Marcelle; 3 children Hometown: Middlesex, Vermont Religion: Catholic Career: U.S. Senator (1974-present); Chittenden County State Attorney (1966-74); Vice President, National District Attorneys Association (1971-74); attorney |
• Four term Sen. Patrick Leahy is the first and only Democratic Senator from Vermont; he was just 34 when he was elected in 1974.
• Leahy's early political career was impressive. After graduating from Georgetown Law School, he returned to Burlington to practice law and was elected Chittenden County State Attorney at 26.
• In the Senate, Leahy was the chairman of the Agriculture Committee from 1987-95; he is now the ranking Democrat on the committee. His constituents, dairy farmers, were not affected by the 1996 Freedom to Farm Act (legislation phasing out farm subsidies over seven years), but he was able to secure funding for local conservation and nutrition programs. Leahy also secured the Northeast Dairy Compact which setup a commission to determine milk prices in New England.
• As the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, Leahy was part of the liberal bloc to vote against Republican nominees to the Supreme Court. In general, he has been critical of the Republican Party for failing to act on President Clinton's judicial nominees.
• On the Appropriations Committee, Leahy took an active role in the denying aid or arms sales to countries which violate human rights.
• Leahy has also campaigned for a ban on land mine use and exportation. While the Clinton Administration refused to sign onto the international treaty banning land mines, in 1994, Leahy was able to convince the UN o unanimously approve their eventual prohibition.
• Leahy is an avid photographer and gadgeteer. In the Senate, he is known as the 'cyber-Senator' as he was one of the first legislators to go on-line and conduct Internet town meetings. Leahy was the leading opponent of the Communications Decency Act because of the censorship it would place on the Internet.
• Leahy is known for his thoughtful temperament and puckish Yankee sense of humor.