Bob Latta

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Bob Latta
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 5th district
Incumbent
Assumed office  December 13, 2007
Preceded by	Paul Gillmor
Born	April 18, 1956 (1956-04-18) (age 53) Bluffton, Ohio
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Marcia Latta
Residence	Bowling Green, Ohio
Alma mater	Bowling Green State University, University of Toledo
Occupation	attorney
Religion	Roman Catholic[1]

Robert Edward 'Bob' Latta (born April 18, 1956) is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio's 5th congressional district. The Fifth District consists of Williams, Defiance, Paulding, Van Wert, Fulton, Henry, Putnam, Wood, Sandusky, Seneca, Crawford, Huron, and parts of Mercer, Lucas, Wyandot, and Ashland Counties. His father, Del Latta, also represented the fifth district.

[edit] Early life

Born in Bluffton, Ohio, Latta graduated from Bowling Green Senior High School, 1974, Bowling Green State University, B.A., cum laude, 1978, and the University of Toledo College of Law, J.D., 1981. Prior to entering public service, Latta practiced law in northwest Ohio. He is married to the former Marcia Sloan of rural Stryker, Williams County, Ohio. The Lattas have two daughters who attend Bowling Green High School.

[edit] Ohio political career

First race was a failed run to replace his father when he retired from congress in 1988.

Latta was elected a Wood County Commissioner in 1990 and 1994. In 1996, he was elected to the Ohio Senate to represent the Second District that consisted of Wood and Ottawa and parts of Lucas and Erie Counties. In 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006, he was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives from the Sixth District. The Sixth District comprised all of Wood County.

In the Ohio General Assembly, Latta served as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and House Criminal Justice Chairman. In the Ohio Senate, he championed legislation that became law dealing with elimination of the estate tax for 78% of Ohioans, and laws impacting juveniles, criminal and civil issues, wildlife, and the Ohio National Guard. In the Ohio House, he continued his work in passing criminal legislation that included forcing all felons and certain misdemenants to give DNA samples that were entered into the national database, and bills dealing with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, and the Ohio National Guard. He received three Watchdog of the Treasury awards.

[edit] Congressional career

Latta entered a five way special primary and won the election in November of 2007. He won the special general election in December 2007 with 57% of the vote. He was sworn in on December 13, 2007. He was re-elected in November 2008 with 64% of the vote.

Since entering the United States House of Representatives, Latta has been an active member of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT). HEAT is seeking an energy policy for the United States that includes all forms of energy. In the 110th Congress, Latta introduced legislation that would help certain members of the armed forces retired reserve obtain health coverage; amending the Internal Revenue Code to increase the standard charitable mileage for delivery of meals on wheels; expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that any comprehensive plan to reform our national energy policy must promote the expanded use of renewables and alternative energy sources; and encouraging the growth of the nation's telecommunication and technology industries.

During the 110th Congress, Latta was honored by the American Farm Bureau Federation Friend of the Farm Bureau, the National Association of Manufaturers Legislative Excellence award, and the United States Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Enterprise award.

In the 111th Congress, Latta has introduced legislation that would repeal the cost of living adjustment for Congress. He is a member of the American Energy Solutions Group which drafted to American Energy Act that promotes a comprehensive energy policy for the United States so that we rely less on foreign energy sources. He is also a member of the House Republican Whip team.

[edit] Committee assignments

• Committee on Agriculture
  • Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
  • Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
  • Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
  • Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials

Committee on Budget

[edit] References

• Bob Latta at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

[edit] External links

• Congressman Bob Latta official U.S. House website
• Bob Latta for U.S. Congress campaign site

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues