Keynote
Monday, October 18, 2004, 4:30pm - 5:00pm
Senator John Sununu, New Hampshire
John Sununu first ran for public office in 1996, winning election in New Hampshire’s First Congressional District and serving three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2002, John defeated both an incumbent Senator and an incumbent Governor to become the youngest member of the United States Senate.
At the age of 39, John has already distinguished himself as a dedicated tax-fighter and an innovative legislator, bringing an extensive background in science, engineering, and small business to his work in Washington. He is the 61st person to serve New Hampshire as a Senator and occupies the Senate seat held by such distinguished individuals as Nicholas Gilman, a signer of the U.S. Constitution, and Styles Bridges, one of New Hampshire’s longest-serving Senators and a leader of the Senate.
During his six years in the House of Representatives, John rose to become Vice-Chairman of the Budget Committee, taking a leading role in shaping the nation’s annual budget priorities. He also served on the House Appropriations Committee and worked to pass legislation protecting New Hampshire’s Lamprey River, supporting the families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, and strengthening funding for special education.
In the Senate, John serves on the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Governmental Affairs, and the Joint Economic Committee. John is Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on International Operations and Terrorism.
John Sununu grew up in Salem, New Hampshire and is one of eight children. He was first introduced to public service at a young age when his mother served as chairman of the local school board. John attended public schools, graduated from Salem High School, and received Bachelors and Masters degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. John has also earned a Masters degree in Business Administration from the Harvard Graduate School of Business.
John and his wife Kitty have three children.
