Jim Langevin

congressman, D-RI

Recognized as a national and party leader on national security, health care and stem cell research, Congressman Jim Langevin has dedicated his many years of public service at the federal and state levels to the hard-working citizens of Rhode Island. As part of the Democratic Leadership team, Langevin serves as both a Democratic Regional Whip for New England and a member of House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn's Senior Whip Team. In these roles, he is responsible for educating other Democratic members on key issues and helping to craft the party's strategy and legislative agenda. As the co-founder and co-chairman of the bipartisan House Cybersecurity Caucus, he has taken on a leadership role in raising awareness of cyber security issues in Congress and fostering dialogue and debate on the critical questions surrounding this topic. In addition, advancing the science of stem cell research continues to be another of Langevin's top priorities. Langevin championed the passage of H.R. 3, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, and its predecessor H.R. 810, which call for expansion of the federal policy on embryonic stem cell research. He proudly joined President Obama in early 2009 as he signed an Executive lifting the Bush Administration's restrictions on embryonic stem cell funding and will continue to work with his colleagues in Congress to give the President's order the force of law. Born April 22, 1964, Langevin is the first quadriplegic to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. At the age of 16, Langevin was injured while working with the Warwick Police Department in the Boy Scout Explorer program. A gun accidentally discharged and a bullet struck Langevin, leaving him paralyzed. The tremendous outpouring of support from his community inspired Langevin to give something back and enter public service. He graduated from Rhode Island College and earned a Master's Degree in public administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.