MENENDEZ, Robert

1954–

Biography

MENENDEZ, Robert, a Senator and a Representative from New Jersey; born in New York, N.Y., on January 1, 1954; graduated from Union Hill High School, Union City, N.J., 1972; B.A., Saint Peter's College, Jersey City, N.J., 1976; J.D., Rutgers University School of Law, Newark, N.J., 1979; lawyer, private practice; member of the Union City, N.J., board of education 1974-1978, and chief financial officer 1978-1982; mayor of Union City, N.J., 1986-1992; member of the New Jersey state general assembly 1987-1991; member of the New Jersey state senate 1991-1993; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Third and to the six succeeding Congresses, and served from January 3, 1993, to January 16, 2006, when he resigned to become a U.S. senator; chair, House Democratic Caucus (One Hundred Eighth through One Hundred Ninth Congresses); appointed on January 17, 2006, to the United States Senate to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Jon S. Corzine; service began on January 17, 2006, and took the oath of office on January 18, 2006; elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006 for the term commencing January 3, 2007; reelected in 2012 for the term ending January 3, 2019; chair, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (2008-2011), Committee on Foreign Relations (One Hundred Thirteenth Congress [February 1, 2013-January 3, 2015]).

View Record in the Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress

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Bibliography / Further Reading

"Robert Menendez" in Hispanic Americans in Congress, 1822-2012. Prepared under the direction of the Committee on House Administration by the Office of the Historian and the Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Washington: Government Printing Office, 2013.

Menendez, Robert. Growing American Roots: Why Our Nation Will Thrive as Our Largest Minority Flourishes. New York: New American Library, 2009.

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Committee Assignments

  • House Committee - Foreign Affairs
  • House Committee - International Relations
  • House Committee - Public Works and Transportation
  • House Committee - Select Committee on Homeland Security
  • House Committee - Transportation and Infrastructure
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