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Tom Harkin

Personal data
Date of birthNovember 19, 1939(age 76)
Place of birthCumming, Iowa
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseRuth Harkin
ChildrenAmy Harkin Goodrich
Jenny Harkin
ResidenceCumming, Iowa
Alma materIowa State University (B.A.)
The Catholic University of America (J.D.)
OccupationAttorney
ReligionRoman Catholic
Military service
Service/branchUnited States Navy/United States Navy Reserve
Years of service1962-1989
UnitNaval Air Facility Atsugi/Guantanamo Bay/Reserves
Assumed officeJanuary 3, 1985
Serving with Chuck Grassley
Preceded byRoger Jepsen
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Assumed officeSeptember 9, 2009
Preceded byTed Kennedy
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
In officeJanuary 4, 2007 - September 9, 2009
Succeeded byBlanche Lincoln
Preceded bySaxby Chambliss
In officeJune 6, 2001 - January 3, 2003
Succeeded byThad Cochran
Preceded byRichard Lugar
In officeJanuary 3 - January 20, 2001
Succeeded byRichard Lugar
Preceded byRichard Lugar
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 5th district
In officeJanuary 3, 1975 - January 3, 1985
Succeeded byJim Ross Lightfoot
Preceded byWilliam J. Scherle

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Thomas Richard "Tom" Harkin (born November 19, 1939) is the junior United States Senator from Iowa (1985 � present) and a member of the Democratic Party. He previously served in the United States House of Representatives (1975 � 1985).

Born in Cumming, Iowa, Harkin graduated from Iowa State University and the The Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law. He served in the United States Navy as an active-duty jet pilot from 1962 to 1967. After serving as a congressional aide for several years he made two runs for the U.S. House of Representatives, losing in 1972 but winning in 1974. He went on to serve five terms in the House.

Harkin won a race for U.S. Senate in 1984 by a wide margin. He was an early frontrunner for his party's presidential nomination in 1992, but dropped out in support of eventual winner Bill Clinton. Now serving his fifth term, Harkin is chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. He is ranked as the most senior junior senator.


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