- Biography
-
Congressman Billy Tauzin of Chackbay,
who represents Louisiana's diverse 3rd Congressional District – stretching
from the
mouth of the Mississipp
i River to the outskirts of New Orleans, Baton
Rouge and Lafayette – is currently serving his 12th term in the U.S.
House of Representatives. He was first sworn in in 1980 in a special swearing
in to fill the seat vacated by Dave Treen, who resigned from Congress after
becoming Governor of Louisiana, and now has served the 3rd District longer
than any of his predecessors.
Congressman Tauzin has won 12 consecutive races, receiving an overwhelming
popular vote on each occasion (averaging more than 90%) on his way to becoming
the Dean of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation.
On January 4, 2001, Congressman Tauzin became the first Louisianian ever
to be named Chairman of the influential House
Committee on Energy and Commerce, which has jurisdiction over all interstate
and foreign commerce, including energy, telecommunications, health care, biomedical
research, consumer protection, the environment and travel and tourism. In
addition, he is a senior member of the House
Resources Committee.
Congressman Tauzin also serves as Deputy Majority
Whip, making him the only person in the history of the U.S. House of Representatives
to serve in the leadership of both major political parties. What's more, in
an effort to promote a spirit of bipartisan cooperation on Capitol Hill, he
co-founded and served as Co-Chairman of the Mainstream Conservative Alliance,
better known as Republican "Blue Dogs."
Prior to being sworn in to Congress, Representative Tauzin served with
distinction in the Louisiana
State Legislature. He was Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee
and Chief Administration Floor Leader. Twice he was chosen one of Louisiana's
"Ten Best Legislators."
Known as a fiscal conservative, as well as a national leader on the issue
of tax reform, Congressman Tauzin recently barnstormed across America on a
40-city tour with House Majority Leader Dick Armey, debating the need to abolish
the federal income tax and the IRS. He also has left his mark on issues ranging
from natural gas, airline, trucking and electricity deregulation to the Clean
Air Act, Superfund and the historic Telecommunications Reform Act of 1996.
In addition, he was the original author of the Securities Litigation Reform
Act and the Cable Act – the only bills over the past decade to become law
despite a Presidential veto.
Over the years, Congressman Tauzin has been honored by such diverse groups
as the Chamber of Commerce, Farm Bureau, National Federal of Independent Business,
B'nai B'rith, Concord Coalition, Business Software Alliance, National Association
of Manufacturers, Christian Coalition, Boy Scouts of America, National Association
of Broadcasters, the 3rd Congressional District Black Caucus, and many more.
An author, amateur actor and native Cajun, Congressman Tauzin proudly
reflects the culture and values of South Louisiana, where the "joie de vie"
(the joy of life) is celebrated with a gusto that is envied across the nation.
Congressman Tauzin received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Nicholls
State University in 1964 and a Law Degree from Louisiana
State University in 1967. He is married to the former Cecile Bergeron
of Crowley, Louisiana, and has five children by a previous marriage.
