James Langevin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jim Langevin

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island's 2nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2001–
Preceded by	Bob Weygand
Succeeded by	Incumbent

Born	April 22, 1964 (age 42) Providence, Rhode Island
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	single
Religion	Roman Catholic

Jim Langevin (born James R. Langevin on April 22, 1964) is a Democratic member of the Rhode Island congressional delegation. He represents the state's 2nd District.

Langevin was born in Providence, Rhode Island. He attended Rhode Island College, from which he received an undergraduate degree, in addition to serving as President of Student Community Government, Inc., and he has a Masters of Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government of Harvard University. [1]

Langevin was first elected a member of the Rhode Island State Assembly in 1988 and served as an assemblyman until 1994. He was elected Secretary of State of Rhode Island in 1995, and while at this post he earned a reputation for weeding out corruption in the state government. Langevin has been a member of the United States House of Representatives since 2001, representing the state's 2nd Congressional district (see map).

Langevin has been unable to walk since 1980, when, at the age of 16, he was seriously injured in an accidental shooting. He had been working as a volunteer at the Warwick Police Department when a weapon accidentally discharged, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Langevin uses a wheelchair, and is known as an advocate for people with disabilities. On July 27, 2004, he spoke to the Democratic National Convention, largely on the subject of stem cell research.

Langevin is Roman Catholic and is a pro-life Democrat in Congress. Langevin fended off a primary challenge from a more liberal Democrat in 2006, and he easily won re-election against Independent Rod Driver.