Biography
Mark DeSaulnier is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving California's 10th Congressional District, which encompasses much of Contra Costa County and part of Alameda County. Born on March 31, 1952, in Lowell, Massachusetts, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the College of the Holy Cross. In the early 1970s, DeSaulnier moved to California, where he became a small business owner, managing several successful Bay Area restaurants, including Henry Africa’s in San Francisco, Santa Fe Bar and Grill in Berkeley, and TR’s in Concord.
DeSaulnier's political career spans over three decades, beginning with his service on the Concord City Council from 1991 to 1994, where he also served as mayor in 1993. He was appointed to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors in 1994, serving until 2006. In 2006, he was elected to the California State Assembly, where he became the first freshman to chair the Assembly Transportation Committee. He later served in the California State Senate from 2008 to 2015, chairing the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee. In 2015, DeSaulnier was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he has passed over 60 legislative efforts, focusing on transportation, public health, and labor issues.
An avid runner, DeSaulnier has completed 23 marathons. He resides in Concord, California, where he raised his two sons, Tristan and Tucker.
Education and Political Experience
Notable Achievements and Positions
Legislative Accomplishments: Authored and passed over 60 legislative efforts in Congress, focusing on transportation infrastructure, public health, and labor issues.
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Committee Assignments:
- Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions within the Committee on Education and the Workforce.
- Member of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
- Member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, serving on the Subcommittees on Aviation; Water Resources and Environment; Highways and Transit; and Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- Appointed to the House Committee on Ethics, focusing on promoting accountability and transparency in government.
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Caucus Memberships:
- Congressional Progressive Caucus.
- Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
- Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.
- Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, serving as Co-Chair of the Climate Jobs Task Force.
Awards and Recognition: Received the Democracy Award for Transparency, Accountability, and Innovation from the Congressional Management Foundation in 2019.
DeSaulnier's extensive experience and dedication to public service have made him a prominent advocate for working families, transportation improvements, and public health initiatives in California and beyond.
