Talk:Peter Roskam/Tone1
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| Peter Roskam | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2007– |
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| Preceded by | Henry Hyde |
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| Born | September 13, 1961 Hinsdale, Illinois |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Roskam |
| Religion | Anglican |
Peter James Roskam (born September 13, 1961 in Hinsdale, Illinois), an American politician, is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 2007, succeeding 16-term Republican Henry Hyde. Roskam practice law as a personal injury lawyer and a former member of the Illinois State Senate representing Illinois' 48th district.
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[edit] Personal history
Roskam was born in Hinsdale, Illinois and was raised in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, graduating from Glenbard West High School. Roskam received his B.A. 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. In 1985, Roskam served as a legislative assistant to Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX), and in 1986 as a legislative assistant to Rep. Hyde.[1] In the late 1980s, Roskam served as the Executive Director of Educational Assistance Ltd., a scholarship program for disadvantaged children. In 1992, Roskam was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, serving from 1993 to 1999. In 2000, he was appointed to the Illinois State Senate where he currently serves. 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.
Roskam is a member of the Anglican Mission in America, an offshoot of the Anglican Church.
[edit] 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%
[edit] Illinois General Assembly
Peter Roskam Served in the Illinois Genaral 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, worked to streamline education programs, and was the lead sponsor of a law to maintain courts' power to hold deadbeat parents in contempt to ensure child support.[1] Roskam has authored or co-authored fourteen bills to cut taxes.[2]
[edit] Political positions
[edit] The Iraq War and the War on Terror
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.[3]Roskam said it was a mistake the U.S. didn't go in with full force in Iraq. Roskam expressed support for quarterly status reports to Congress on Iraqi troop training.[4]
[edit] Social Security
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. [5]
Roskam supports Social Security investment options for younger workers and opposes benefit reduction, retirement age increases and privitization for retired workers and those nearing retirement. [6]. [7]
[edit] Taxes
Roskam advocates renewing the national 2003 tax cuts, and has sponsored or co-sponsored 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.[8]
[edit] Stem-cell research
Roskam supports adult and umbilical cord stem cell research.[9] Roskam has argued against embryonic stem cell research in the Illinois Senate,[10] and voted against the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act in Congress.[11] Describing the issue in 2004, Roskam said, "You're being asked to take one human life and cast it aside for the benefit of another."
[edit] Gun politics
Roskam opposes the 1994 Federal assault weapons ban.[12] Roskam sponsored a bill in the state Senate which would have allowed retired military and police personnel to carry concealed weapons.
Peter Roskam 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. The NRA has given $4,950 to Roskam's campaign.[13]
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 gun show loophole by requiring background checks on potential gun purchasers at gun shows. [14] The proposed 90-day time limit is more lenient than federal standards, which require the FBI to destroy this type of record within 24 hours.[15]
[edit] O'Hare Airport
Roskam opposes plans to expand O'Hare International Airport, and instead favors building a third regional airport in Chicago's southern suburbs. [16] The expansion is opposed by a consortium of local communities and by congressmen Henry Hyde and Jesse Jackson Jr[17][18] Many business groups, including the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, support O'Hare expansion.[19] Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, a Republican from Illinois, supports O'Hare expansion, as does the local Republican leadership from DuPage County. [20]
[edit] Immigration
Roskam supports the House bill on immigration reform. He opposes the Senate version on the grounds it's an amnesty bill. [21] Roskam supports sending United States National Guard troops to the border, supports legislation to make illegal presence in the country a felony and supports the building of fences along 700 miles of border.[21]
[edit] Other positions
Peter Roskam opposes abortion except when the life of the mother is at risk. [1] [22]. Roskam supports capital punishment, opposes same-sex marriage and civil unions.[23]
In November 2006, Roskam opposed raising the national minimum wage from $5.15 per hour, concerned about the effects on small businesses.[24]. He voted against a bill to increase the national minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour over two years in Congress.[25]
On January 12, 2007, Roskam voted against the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act. [26]
