Biographical Profile for Frank Lautenberg
| Currently Elected U.S. Senate, New Jersey |
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General: (political statement of goals, objectives, views, philosophies)
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The phrase "only in America" has a special meaning for Senator Frank R. Lautenberg. Lautenberg began his life as the son of poor but hard-working immigrant parents. Following their example, he rolled up his sleeves and pursued the American Dream.
He succeeded in spectacular fashion, first as a businessman and founder of a major computing services firm, and then as a U.S. Senator with a number of major legislative accomplishments.
Lautenberg retired from the Senate in 2000 after 18 years of service, but returned in 2002 to once again serve the state and nation that have given him so much.
An American Journey
Senator Lautenberg was born in Paterson, New Jersey, the son of Polish and Russian immigrants who came to the United States through Ellis Island. His early life was unsettled as his parents moved about
a dozen times while struggling to support the family.
Lautenberg's father, Sam, worked in the silk mills, sold coal, farmed and once ran a tavern. When Lautenberg was 19, his father died of cancer. To help his family, he worked nights and weekends until
he graduated from Nutley High School.
After graduating from Nutley, Lautenberg enlisted and served in the Army Signal Corps in Europe during World War II. Following the war, he attended Columbia University on the G.I. Bill and graduated with a degree in economics in 1949.
With his military service completed and his education secured, Lautenberg set out to build a career. He joined with two boyhood friends from his old neighborhood to found the nation's first payroll services company, Automatic Data Processing. Lautenberg served as chairman and CEO, and along with his partners developed ADP into one of the largest computing services company in the world.
From CEO to Senator: A new career, another success
Sen. Lautenberg always knew that his success was a uniquely American story. He wanted to give something back to the nation that had given him so many opportunities. He decided to launch a [Response was truncated to maximum response length of 2000 characters.]
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Personal: (gender, age, marital status, spouse's name and age, children's name and
ages, home town, current residence)
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Senator Lautenberg, born in Paterson, NJ on January 23, 1924, resides in Secausus with his wife Bonnie. He has four children and ten grandchildren.
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Education: (times and places of schools, colleges, major, degrees, activities, sports)
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Following the war, he attended Columbia University on the G.I. Bill and graduated with a degree in economics in 1949.
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Profession: (profession and work experience outside politics)
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Commissioner, New York/New Jersey Port Authority, 1978-1982
Chairman/CEO, Automatic Data Processing, 1952-1982
Commissioner, New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
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Military: (branch, years of service, active duty experience, highest rank, medals,
honors, discharge date and type)
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Lautenberg enlisted and served in the Army Signal Corps in Europe during World War II.
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Civic: (past and present organizations, charities involvement)
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Advisory Council, Columbia University Graduate School of Business
US Holocaust Memorial Council.
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Political: (dates and titles of previously held political offices)
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Sen. Lautenberg always knew that his success was a uniquely American story. He wanted to give something back to the nation that had given him so many opportunities. He decided to launch a new career in politics and - running for his first public office - was elected to the Senate in 1982. He was re-elected in 1988 and 1994, and returned to win a fourth term in 2002 after two years away.
Over his first three terms in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Lautenberg built a solid record of accomplishment on a broad range of issues that touch the lives of New Jerseyans: helping to balance the federal budget, stopping aid to nations that support terrorism, keeping guns out of the hands of convicted domestic abusers, banning smoking on airplanes, getting drunk drivers off our roads, protecting our oceans and environment, and improving our transportation system.
Since returning to the Senate in 2003, Senator Lautenberg has picked up where he left off, fighting to improve the lives of New Jersey families. He is the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee on global warming. He has introduced legislation to provide more Homeland Security resources for New Jersey and keep weapons out of the hands of terrorists. And he is working tirelessly to strengthen security in our ports and our national passenger rail system.
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Religion: (current and past religious affiliations, beliefs)
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Jewish.
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Accomplishments: (significant accomplishments, awards, achievements)
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Over his first three terms in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Lautenberg built a solid record of accomplishment on a broad range of issues that touch the lives of New Jerseyans: helping to balance the federal budget, stopping aid to nations that support terrorism, keeping guns out of the hands of convicted domestic abusers, banning smoking on airplanes, getting drunk drivers off our roads, protecting our oceans and environment, and improving our transportation system.
Since returning to the Senate in 2003, Senator Lautenberg has picked up where he left off, fighting to improve the lives of New Jersey families. He is the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee on global warming. He has introduced legislation to provide more Homeland Security resources for New Jersey and keep weapons out of the hands of terrorists. And he is working tirelessly to strengthen security in our ports and our national passenger rail system.
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