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Peter Roskam
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 6th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 4, 2007
Preceded by	Henry Hyde
Personal details
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Elizabeth Roskam

Peter James Roskam (born September 13 1961 in Hinsdale, Illinois), is a freshman Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 2007, succeeding 16-term Republican Henry Hyde and defeated Democratic candidate, Tammy Duckworth, in the November 2006 Congressional election.

Roskam was a former member of the Illinois General Assembly, representing Illinois' 40th House District and later Illinois' 48th Senate District.

Personal history

Roskam was born in Hinsdale, Illinois to Verlyn R. "Swede" and Martha Roskam. He was the fourth of five children and was raised in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, graduating from Glenbard West High School. Roskam received his B.A. in political science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his J.D. from the Chicago-Kent College of Law.

In 1984, Roskam taught history and government at All Saints High School in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. From 1985 to 1986, Roskam served as a legislative assistant, to Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX), and from 1986 to 1987 as a legislative assistant to Rep. Hyde. In the late 1980s, Roskam served as the Executive Director of Educational Assistance Ltd., a scholarship program for disadvantaged children founded by his father in 1982. In 1992, Roskam was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, serving from 1993 to 1999. In 2000, he was appointed by DuPage County Republican leaders to replace the retiring Beverly Fawell in the Illinois State Senate where he served until his election to the US House of Representatives. Roskam resides in Wheaton, Illinois with his wife Elizabeth and their four children.

Roskam was a partner in the law firm Salvi, Roskam & Maher, a personal injury firm. He was named "Best Oral Advocate" by the American College of Trial Lawyers. The firm, now called Salvi & Maher, is politically notable because former Republican Senate candidate Al Salvi and former Republican House candidate Kathy Salvi are also partners in the firm. The Chicago Tribune noted that Roskam earned over $615,000 in 2005 as a personal injury trial lawyer.

After his parents took a trip to Vietnam and saw veteran dog tags for sale on the street, Roskam, along with his parents worked to return the dog tags to their owners or the families of the deceased.

Illinois General Assembly

Peter Roskam served in the Illinois General Assembly as State Representative from 1993 to 1998, and State Senator from 2000 to 2006. In the Senate Roskam served as the Republican Whip, the Republican spokesman on the Executive Committee, and a member of the Rules Committee, Environment and Energy Committee, Insurance and Pensions Committee, and Judiciary Committee. In the Senate Roskam has sponsored legislation giving the Supreme Court of Illinois authority to reverse a death penalty sentence, has sponsored legislation increasing the penalties for repeat D.U.I. offenders, and was the lead sponsor of a law to maintain courts' power to hold deadbeat parents in contempt to ensure child support. Roskam has authored or co-authored fourteen bills to cut taxes.

In 1998, when Al Salvi was running for Illinois Secretary of State, Roskam asked the Illinois Comptroller's office for a list of state employees. At the time, Roskam told the Chicago Tribune that the request was for personal use. However, Roskam gave the list to Salvi, who used the list to send numbered campaign fundraising tickets to state employees. The numbering allowed the campaign to keep track of who contributed and who didn't.

In January 2005, Roskam fought amending the Illinois Human Rights Act to include sexual orientation on the grounds that it would require churches and religious organizations to hire homosexuals. However, the act contains an explicit exemption for churches and religious organizations. The Illinois Senate passed the amendment 30-27-1 and on January 1, 2006, Illinois became the 16th state to have such a law.

In November 2004, Roskam voted against State Comptroller Dan Hynes' $1 billion proposal to raise taxes on cosmetic surgery to fund stem cell research. The proposal was defeated 29-28-1 in the Illinois Senate.

Congressional service

Roskam serves on the House Financial Services Committee and sits on its subcommittees for Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises; Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade and Technology; and Oversight and Investigations.

Roskam's voting record may be found here.

Political positions

Alternative Energy

Roskam supports the development of Alternative Energy, and has introduced legislation to fund research into reducing the environmental impact of idling cars. He cites both the health benefits of alternative fuels, and the importance of not being dependent on foreign sources of energy as reasons for further research into alternative energy. Roskam says that currently, sources of alternative energy are not "developed enough to be fully integrated as a comprehensive solution," but says that research into these areas offer "hope."

Education

In the State Senate, Roskam cosponsored legislation to provide tax relief to teachers who use their own money to purchase school supplies.

In 1993, Roskam sponsored a proposal in the Illinois Legislature to eliminate material in schools that "expressly counsels for suicide." Some opponents said it could have been applied to literature that some would categorize as an appropriate part of a schools curriculum.

Gun politics

Roskam sponsored a bill in the state Senate which would have allowed retired military and police personnel to carry concealed weapons. He has gained the endorsement of the National Rifle Association (NRA), for being a supporter of gun rights. On July 15 2006, Roskam was the featured guest at a NRA support rally for him in Addison, Illinois.

While in the state Senate, Roskam sponsored gun legislation with two major components. One part called for the destruction of background check records within 90 days of a gun's purchase. The other part closed the so-called "gun show loophole" by requiring background checks on potential gun purchasers at gun shows. The Tribune noted that gun-control advocates were supportive of closing the gun-show loophole; however, Roskam received criticism from police for the proposed destruction of background check records. Police use those records to investigate straw purchasers who buy guns for criminals and to prepare themselves when serving a warrant or making an arrest at a home.

Immigration

In interviews on National Public Radio, Roskam stated his opposition to the Senate's Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 and stated support for the House immigration reform bill, H.R. 4437 the Border Protection, Anti-terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. During the interviews he claimed his constituency did not support amnesty and wanted stronger border security.

The Iraq War

On September 21 2006, Roskam said that the US should "stay the course" and that US troops should not return home until Iraq is safe. He criticized his opponent Tammy Duckworth's views on withdrawal, saying "the Sixth district is not a cut-and-run district." On October 23 2006, Roskam said it was a mistake the U.S. didn't go in with full force in Iraq. Later, Roskam expressed support for quarterly status reports to Congress on Iraqi troop training.

Social Security and Medicare

On May 20, 2005, Roskam and six other Illinois senators missed a vote in the Illinois Senate on a non-binding resolution urging the United States Congress to protect Social Security and reject private accounts. The resolution passed 32-19-1, but no action was taken in the Illinois House. Roskam has said in a WBBM post debate press conference, "I am against privatizing Social Security, I am against raising taxes for Social Security benefits, and I'm against benefit reductions for Social Security.

According to a direct mailing by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), Peter Roskam will protect Social Security by opposing any plans that reduce benefits. Roskam told The Hill that he opposes any measures that would add private savings accounts or slice up the current program to create a private account. However, Roskam responded to a National Taxpayers Union questionnaire stating he would "work and vote for Social Security Choice that will allow younger workers to have the choice of investing much of their Social Security taxes in regulated individual retirement accounts."

On January 12, 2007, Roskam voted along with the majority of his party against the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act, which would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate lower covered Part D drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries.

Stem-cell research

Roskam supports adult and umbilical cord stem cell research. Roskam has argued against embryonic stem cell research in the Illinois Senate, even if privately funded, and voted against the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act in Congress.

Taxes

Roskam advocates making permanent the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts , and has sponsored or cosponsored fourteen pieces of legislation for lower taxes, including child tax credits and reducing the income tax, and has stated support for a research and development tax credit. As an Illinois General Assembly legislator, Roskam authored and supported several pieces of tax reduction legislation. Americans for Tax Reform named Roskam "Hero of the Taxpayer" in 2005 for his opposition to HB-755 which would have raised income and sales taxes by 67% or nearly $7 billion.

Other positions

Roskam helped to pass the Safe American Roads Act of 2007 which prohibits the DOT from granting Mexican Trucks access beyond the U.S./Mexico commercial zone until the DOT complies with the safety and security regulations congress has already enacted.

Roskam opposes plans to expand O'Hare International Airport, and instead favors building a third regional airport in Chicago's southern suburbs.

Peter Roskam opposes abortion except when the life of the mother is at risk, making no exceptions for cases of rape or incest Roskam also supports the death penalty, opposes same-sex marriage and civil unions, and supports allowing the use of earmarks in federal budgeting.

Roskam named lawsuit reform as a top priority. During a 1995 push for tort reform in the Illinois General Assembly, Roskam voted for the reform measure despite promises to the contrary. Terrence Lavin, a member of the Illinois Bar Association who became its president in 2003, said that Al Salvi and Roskam promised, "We will never, ever vote for tort reform", when they solicited a $25,000 donation to a political action committee. Roskam later reimbursed much of the money collected after he voted to support the reforms. During the 2006 campaign, Roskam was accused by Duckworth's campaign manager, Jon Carson of soliciting frivolous lawsuits via his Yellow Pages ads.

Roskam supports CAFTA. In 2005, Roskam received a 67% rating from the Illinois Environmental Council. In 2004 he scored 100%, while in 2003 he scored 40%. In November 2006, Roskam expressed opposition to raising the national minimum wage from $5.15 per hour, referring to possible effect on small businesses, and voted against a bill to increase the national minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour over two years in Congress.

1998 Congressional campaign

Roskam ran for Congress in 1998 in Illinois' 13th congressional district to replace retiring Congressman Harris W. Fawell, but lost in the Republican primary to Judy Biggert. Roskam received 40% of the vote to Biggert's 45%.

In 1999, at Biggert's request, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) investigated a mailing sent out by a Political Action Committee (PAC), the Campaign for Working Families (CWF), in support of Peter Roskam. The FEC did not find the Roskam campaign at fault, but CWF was found to have violated election law. The PAC was led by conservative Gary Bauer.

2006 Congressional campaign

In March 2006, Roskam, running unopposed, won the Republican nomination to attempt to fill Henry Hyde's open seat. His opponent in the November general election was Iraq War veteran, Democrat Tammy Duckworth. Hyde endorsed Roskam. The competitive race was called "the nation's most-watched congressional contest" by Eric Krol of the Daily Herald.

On November 7 2006, Roskam defeated Duckworth by a margin of 51% to 49%.

Roskam was endorsed by the Teamsters labor union, The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, and The Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The candidates debated on WTTW/Channel 11 (October 23), WBEZ radio (October 19), WBBM radio (September 24), and at the College of DuPage (12 October).

Electoral history

• 2006 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — 6th District
  • Peter Roskam (R), 51%
  • Tammy Duckworth (D), 49%

• 1998 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — 13th District Republican Primary
  • Judy Biggert (R), 45%
  • Peter Roskam (R), 40%

• 1996 Race for Illinois State Representative — 40th district
  • Peter Roskam (R), 70.8%
  • Kevin Schuele (D), 29.2%

• 1994 Race for Illinois State Representative — 40th district
  • Peter Roskam (R), unopposed

• 1992 Race for Illinois State Representative — 40th district
  • Peter Roskam (R), 61%
  • Pat Cullerton (D), 39%

Notes

1. ^ ROSKAM, Peter Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved July 24, 2007
2. ^ "About Peter". Roskam for Congress Committee.
3. "The Story of EAL". Educational Assistance Ltd. Retrieved 2007-05-12.
4. Kadin, Deborah (January 16, 2000). "GOP leaders choose Roskam for Fawell's Senate seat". Daily Herald. Paddock Publications, Inc. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
5. ^ Eric Zorn, Chicago Tribune blog. Candidate's reform talk may be adding insult to injury. June 22, 2006.
6. Vogel, Curtis. "Husband, wife find 37 soldier IDs being sold on streets of Ho Chi Minh City". MSNBC. Retrieved 2007-03-16.
7. "Roskam ready to go to bat for Sixth Congressional District". Roskam for Congress Committee. May 31, 2006. Retrieved 2007-03-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
8. "Voters will judge these episodes from Roskam’s past" Eric Krol Friday, September 22, 2006 Daily Herald
9. Suburban Chicago News. Gay Rights. (Dead link)
10. (775 ILCS 5/) Illinois Human Rights Act
11. State of Illinois 93rd General Assembly. Roll call vote — SB 3186 (pdf). January 10, 2005.
12. Associated Press via The Advocate. Illinois becomes 16th state with gay rights law. January 4, 2006.
13. http://www.ioc.state.il.us/office/iocnews/ViewNewsRelease.cfm?ID=2070837173
14. Chicago Tribune. Illinois Senate narrowly defeats stem-cell measure. November 19, 2004.
15. State of Illinois 93rd General Assembly. HB 3589 amendment 7 (pdf). November 18, 2004.
16. Illinois to open first hydrogen fuelling station Fuel Cell Today April 10, 2007. Retrieved August 18, 2007
17. "CONGRESSMAN ROSKAM PUSHES TO CUT CO2 EMISSIONS, REDUCE GAS CONSUMPTION" (Press release). June 12 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-12. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
18. Roskam, Peter (April 18 2007), The Importance of Alternative Energy, Lombardian, Villa Park Review, retrieved July 12 2007 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
19. Bill Status of SB1675 Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved June 19, 2007
20. Would you, could you twist a fact? By Eric Zorn Friday, October 20, 2006 Chicago Tribune
21. Would you, could you twist a fact? "A National Knife Fight" by Joshua Green, Oct 2006 Esquire by Joshua Green, Oct 2006
22. http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=69272
23. "Peter Roskam's priorities" Chicago Tribune; Oct 26,05; pg. 24
24. National Public Radio. Robert Siegal on NPR and Michelle Norris from NPR's All Things Considered.
25. "Little common ground for Roskam, Duckworth", John Biemer, September 23, 2006, Chicago Tribune
26. "Iraq not central in war on terror, Duckworth says" BY PAT CORCORAN ELK GROVE TIMES
27. "Final debate focuses on the war" by Eric Krol Tuesday, October 24, 2006 Daily Herald
28. Illinois General Assembly. 94th General Assembly. Senate Joint Resolution No. 13. Roll call — Third Reading. May 20, 2005.
29. WBBM post-debate press conference, September 22, 2006.
30. Kaplan, Jonathan E. (2006-09-21). "'82 issues return in '06". The Hill. Retrieved 2007-03-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
31. Office of the Clerk, House of Representatives. H.R. 4 — Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act, Roll call 23. January 12, 2007.
32. Daily Herald. (Dead Link).
33. Biemer, John (August 2, 2006). "Duckworth joins stem cell debate". The Chicago Tribune. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
34. Office of the Clerk, House of Representatives. H.R. 3 Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act — Roll Call 20
35. ROSKAM: DEMOCRAT BUDGET WILL CRIPPLE ECONOMY, HURT IL 6th DISTRICT Congressman Peter J. Roskam. June 14, 2007. Retrieved August 18, 2007
36. "Taxes & The Economy". Roskam for Congress Committee. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
37. National Taxpayer Advocacy Group Names Roskam Hero of the Taxpayer Americans for Tax Reform 24 May, 2005
38. "A Critical Analysis of Education Funding Reform". Illinois Policy Institute. July 2004. Retrieved 2007-05-12.
39. Keep on Trucking…Safely The Hill May 18, 2007. Retrieved June 19, 2007
40. Roskam for Congress. Door-To-Door Man. July 27, 2006.
41. Koehler, Michael (2006-10-20). "House candidates debate at college" (PDF). College of DuPage Courier. p. 1. Retrieved 2007-05-12.
42. Easy to tell who’s who in 6th District By Eric Krol Thursday, September 14, 2006 Daily Herald
43. "Associated Press election coverage". The Associated Press. September 7, 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
44. Eric Krol (August 22, 2006). "Roskam defends federal pork support". Daily Herald. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
45. Krol, Eric (2006-05-13). "Roskam supports Bush on database". Daily Herald. p. 17.
46. http://www.ilenviro.org/publications/files/2005scorecard.pdf
47. Roskam balks at hiking minimum wage By Marni Pyke Daily Herald Saturday, November 11, 2006
48. "Minimum pay bill advances" By Richard Simon Published January 11, 2007
49. http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe1998/ilh.htm
50. http://eqs.sdrdc.com/eqsdocs/00003C0B.pdf
51. Krol, Eric (2006-10-12). "Debate on immigrants stokes race" (reprint). Daily Herald (in English). Paddock Publications, Inc. Retrieved 2006-10-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
52. CNN. House Election Results.
53. http://www.teamster.org/06news/hn_060517_5.asp
54. http://www.wbez.org/election/index.asp?category=11
55. Democratic Party of DuPage County, 1996 Election results for DuPage County.
56. Chicago Sun-Times. Illinois House Races. Page 30. November 5, 1992.

External links

• U.S. Congressman Peter Roskam official House site
• Roskam for Congress official campaign site
• United States Congress. "Peter Roskam (id: r000580)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Federal Election Commission — Peter Roskam campaign finance reports and data
• On the Issues — Peter Roskam issue positions and quotes
• OpenSecrets.org — Peter Roskam campaign contributions
• Newsmeat listing of campaign contributors
• Project Vote Smart — Representative Peter J. Roskam (IL) profile
• SourceWatch Congresspedia - Peter Roskam profile
• Washington Post — Congress Votes Database: Peter Roskam voting record
• Roskam's GI Dog Tag website

• 1961 births
• Living people
• Members of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois
• Illinois State Senators
• Members of the Illinois House of Representatives
• Illinois lawyers
• Illinois politicians
• People from Wheaton, Illinois