Isn't Weldon ex-CIA?
Congressman Curt Weldon represents the Seventh Congressional District of Pennsylvania. Currently serving his tenth term, Congressman Weldon is the most senior Republican in the Pennsylvania Delegation. A Member of the House of Representatives since 1987, Weldon has taken leadership roles on a wide variety of issues, ranging from national security to the environment.
A senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, Weldon served six years as the Chairman of the Military Research and Development Subcommittee, overseeing the development and testing of key military systems, weapons programs, and technologies that fulfill military needs. Weldon has used that position to become the leading House supporter of a national missile defense to protect America's families and communities. Weldon now serves as the Vice Chairman of the full Committee as well as Chairman of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee. His role will ensure that our service men and women are adequately prepared for duty in the high-tech world of the 21st century.
Weldon, a major in Russian Studies, has made improving relations with Russia one of his major efforts in the House. He has worked with Russian leaders on a variety of issues, including efforts to improve Russia's energy supply, correct environmental damage, and protect both nations from ballistic missile attack. Weldon is the co-founder of the Duma-Congress Study Group, the official parliamentary exchange between the two legislative bodies. This bilateral relationship coordinates legislative efforts in the Russian Duma and the Congress to foster a better working relationship between the two nations. Recently, Congressman Weldon created a comprehensive framework designed to improve the state of relations between the two countries. Titled “A New Time, A New Beginning,” his proposal makes recommendations for cooperative efforts in eleven different areas ranging from defense and national security to space exploration and scientific research.
As a member of the Science Committee, Weldon is one of the most outspoken advocates for the environment and protection of our oceans. Weldon's "Oceans Agenda" legislation passed the Congress in 1995, increasing funding for oceanographic research projects. Weldon is a champion of environmental concerns as the only House Republican on the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission which approves funding for our wildlife refuges and wetlands preservation. Congressman Weldon is a member of Global Legislators for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE) where he serves as Honorary Chairman of the Oceans Protection Task Force. Weldon also serves as the honorary United States Vice President on the Advisory Committee on the Protection of the Sea (ACOPS).
Born and raised in a blue-collar family, Weldon understands the issues that affect America's working men and women. In Congress, Weldon has been a tireless advocate of issues important to working class families. He co-authored the Family Medical Leave Act, pushed for the extension of unemployment benefits, has consistently supported raising the minimum wage, opposed the North American Free Trade Agreement and voted for historic across-the-board tax cuts.
Weldon was born in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania on July 22, 1947, and is the youngest of nine children. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from West Chester University in 1969.
Prior to becoming a Member of Congress, Weldon worked as an educator at local schools in Delaware County and volunteered as a firefighter in Marcus Hook. As mayor of the Marcus Hook Borough, in which he was nominated twice on both Republican and Democratic ballots, Weldon led the fight to revive the small town that was home to the violent and destructive Pagan motorcycle gang. Utilizing his teaching and public safety skills, Weldon moved on to serve as the Director of Training and Manpower Development for a large corporation.
Prior to the terrorist attacks on America, Congressman Weldon was an outspoken advocate of bolstering defenses, assisting first responders, and improving intelligence gathering capabilities. As Vice Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee and founder of the Homeland Security Caucus, Congressman Weldon is a frequent keynote speaker at various defense and national security conferences across the country. He is a regular guest on national news and television programs, is the author of letters and opinion papers for various news sources, and teaches advanced courses at local colleges and universities.
Married in 1975, Weldon resides with his wife Mary Gallagher Weldon and their five children in Thornbury Township, Pennsylvania.