|
|
Biography of Richard A. Gephardt
House Democratic Leader
Dick Gephardt was elected in 1994 to serve as House Democratic Leader, the top- ranking Democratic leader in the United States House of Representatives. "House Democrats' hopes for a political comeback now seem to be hung on Missouri's Richard Gephardt," wrote U.S.A. Today in November, 1994.
Gephardt, winning the post of Democratic Leader by an overwhelming margin, vowed to devote his tenure to regaining a Democratic majority in the people's House, and rededicating his party to improving the economic lives of working Americans.
Before his elevation to the top Democratic spot, Gephardt served as Majority Leader, the second-ranking Democratic post, for more than five years. In that role, he emerged as one of the Democratic Party's chief strategists and spokespersons on many major issues.
He has lead Democrats in opposition to President Bush's tax and economic policies, and in support of President Clinton's health care reform effort with what Congressional Quarterly described as "the intensity of a revivalist preacher."
Gephardt was first elected to represent Missouri's Third Congressional District in 1976. As a House freshman, he served on both the Ways and Means and Budget Committees, where he became a national leader on health care, trade, and tax fairness. In 1984, he was elected Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, the fourth-ranking leadership post in the House.
In 1987, Gephardt became the first Democratic candidate to enter the 1988 presidential race -- a virtually unprecedented bid for a rank-and-file member of the House. Gephardt ultimately withdrew from the race, but not before winning three statewide primaries. Following that race, in 1989, he was elected by his colleagues to serve as their Majority Leader.
A native of St. Louis Gephardt was born in 1941 in the same South St. Louis neighborhood he represents today. After graduating from Northwestern University (where he served as student body president) and the University of Michigan Law School, he began his career in public service as a precinct captain in St. Louis's 14th Ward. From there he was twice elected Alderman, and became known as the leader of a group of aggressive young reformers known as the "Young Turks," before being elected to the House of Representatives.
Congressman Gephardt is married to Jane Byrnes Gephardt, and they have three children: Matt, Chrissy, and Katie.
 |
        |
|
| Support the kind of journalism done by the NewsHour...Become a member of your local PBS station. | ||
| ||
| PBS Online Privacy Policy Copyright ©1996- MacNeil/Lehrer Productions. All Rights Reserved. | ||
| ||
