EDWARDS, Thomas Chester (Chet)

• Born in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Tex., November 24, 1951

• Graduated from Memorial High School in Houston, Texas, 1970

• B.A., Texas Agricultural & Mechanical University, 1974

• M.B.A., Harvard University Business School, Cambridge, Mass., 1981

• Marketing representative for Trammell Crow Company, 1981-1985

• President of Edwards Communications in 1980s

• Legislative and district administrative assistant to United States Representative Olin Teague of Texas, 1974-1977

• Member of the Texas state senate, District 9, 1983-1991

• Elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Second and to the nine succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1991-January 3, 2011) (Succeeded Marvin Leath)

• Represented 11th District, 1991-2004, then 17th District, 2004-2011

• Married Lea Ann Wood in 1992. They have two sons, John Thomas and Garrison

• Served as senior member on both the House Budget and the Appropriations Committees, and served as the only Texan on the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, as Vice-Chair of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, and as the Co-Chair of the House Army Caucus

• Known as a national champion for America's veterans, active duty military men and women, and their families

• Served as Chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee 2007-2010

• Authored 60% increase in funding for veteran health care and benefits

• Played a key role in enacting the 21st Century GI Bill of Rights-legislation that will provide the full cost of a college education for US troops

• Authored law that provides full college scholarships to children who have lost a parent in military service since 9/11

• Received the T.B. Maston Christian Ethics Award, 2005

• In 2008, Congressman Edwards was vetted and became a finalist to become then Senator Barack Obama's vice presidential running mate.

• Attends Calvary Baptist Church in Waco, and McLean Baptist Church in McLean, Virginia

Edwards quote: "If I ever find a woman willing to marry an Aggie politician, I don't want to give her a chance to change her mind. – Chet Edwards in opposition to a state senate bill requiring more time between marriage license purchase and the wedding." (Representing Texas, p. 60)

Sources:

• http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=E000063

• Representing Texas by Ben R. Guttery. Published by the author, 2008.