Hailed by U.S.A. Today as "the perfect combination of a fiery populist and a quiet, back-room pragmatist," 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, describing the Democrat as "disciplined and focused, a workaholic who combines a love of intricate policy and a lust for politics."
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 virtually all major issues. "From Russian aid to health-care reform to the deficit, no one in Congress is more central," wrote the Wall Street Journal in 1993. "Gephardt remains a buoy marking the Democratic channel."
Whether leading the successful opposition to President Bush's unfair tax and economic policies, or leading the charge for President Clinton's health care reform effort with what Congressional Quarterly described as "the intensity of a revivalist preacher," Gephardt has made it his life's work to unite Congressional Democrats behind economic, trade, and social policies that help America's working families.
Gephardt was first elected to represent Missouri's Third Congressional District in 1976. As a House freshman, he was given the rare opportunity of serving on both the Ways and Means and Budget Committees, where he quickly 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 and helping to frame the economic issues that dominated the election. Following that race, in 1989, he was elected by his colleagues to serve as their Majority Leader.
A native of St. Louis (and a fiercely loyal Cardinals fan), Dick 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 become known as the leader of a group of aggressive young reformers known as the "Young Turks," who implemented bold new policies to revive the city.
Dick is married to Jane Byrnes Gephardt, and they have three children: Matt, Chrissy, and Katie.
Biographical information from Rep. Gephardt taken from his US House site.
