Biography
Marcy Kaptur, born on June 17, 1946, in Toledo, Ohio, is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving Ohio's 9th Congressional District since 1983. As of 2023, she became the longest-serving woman in congressional history. Raised in a working-class Polish-American family, her parents operated a small grocery store, and her mother was a union organizer at the Champion Spark Plug factory. Kaptur has been a steadfast advocate for the working people of her district, focusing on economic development, veterans' affairs, and infrastructure projects.
Education and Political Experience
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Education:
- Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Wisconsin
- Master's degree in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan
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Political Experience:
- Served as a domestic policy advisor to President Jimmy Carter, contributing to housing and neighborhood revitalization legislation
- Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982, defeating a first-term Republican incumbent
- First woman to serve as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
- Co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus and the Congressional Hungarian Caucus
Notable Achievements
World War II Memorial: Initiated and championed the legislation to establish the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., a project that took 17 years to complete and was dedicated in 2004.
Infrastructure Projects: Secured federal funding for significant projects in Ohio's 9th District, including the I-280 Veterans' Glass City Skyway, the largest bridge project in Ohio's history, and the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge visitors center.
Trade and Economic Policy: A vocal opponent of free trade agreements like NAFTA, advocating for fair trade laws to protect American workers and industries.
Veterans' Affairs: Recognized for her dedication to veterans, receiving the Veterans of Foreign Wars' Americanism Award and the Prisoner of War "Barbed Wire" Award.
Throughout her tenure, Representative Kaptur has remained committed to addressing the economic challenges of the Midwest, advocating for infrastructure development, and supporting veterans and working-class Americans.
