Dave Weldon

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Dave Weldon
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 15th district
In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2009
Preceded by	Jim Bacchus
Succeeded by	Bill Posey
Born	August 31, 1953 (1953-08-31) (age 56) Amityville, New York
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Nancy Weldon
Children	Katie Weldon David Weldon
Residence	Indialantic, Florida
Alma mater	State University of New York, Buffalo
Profession	physician
Religion	Non-denominational Protestant
Military service
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1981-1992

David Joseph Weldon, (known as Dave Weldon) (born August 31, 1953, Amityville, New York) is an American politician and physician. He was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Florida's 15th congressional district.

Contents 1 Personal 2 Committee Assignments 3 Terri Schiavo controversy 4 Congressional elections 4.1 2006 4.2 2008 5 Position on 2008 "Bailout" 6 Memberships 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

[edit] Personal

Weldon served in the United States Army from 1981 to 1987 and the United States Army Reserve from 1987 until 1992. In 1978, he received a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the State University of New York, and in 1981 a medical degree from the State University of New York, Buffalo School of Medicine. He practiced as a physician in Florida after becoming an MD.

Weldon resides in Indialantic, Florida, with his wife, Nancy, and their two children, Katie and David.

In December, 2005, Weldon joined with several other Congressmen to form the Second Amendments, a bipartisan rock and country band set to play for United States troops stationed overseas over the Holiday season. Weldon plays the bass guitar.[1]

[edit] Committee Assignments

• Committee on Appropriations
  • Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
• Chair and Co Founder, Congressional Aerospace Caucus
• Chair and Co Founder, Congressional Israel Allies Caucus

[edit] Terri Schiavo controversy

In response to the legal battle over the removal of the feeding tube of Terri Schiavo, Weldon introduced legislation to force review of the case by the federal government. Weldon, who has a medical degree, believed that Schiavo was not in a vegetative state. He supported his belief saying, "She responds to verbal stimuli, she attempts to vocalize, she tracks with her eyes, she emotes, she attempts to kiss her father."^[1]

[edit] Congressional elections

[edit] 2006

Weldon faced Democrat Bob Bowman in the general 2006 election. Weldon raised significantly more campaign funds than Bowman: By the end of September, Weldon's total was $673,321 versus $21,944 for Bowman.^[2] Weldon also refused to debate Bowman during the campaign.^[3] In the November election, Weldon received 125,596 votes to Bowman's 97,947.^[4]

[edit] 2008

On January 25, 2008, with this seat becoming a top battleground in 2008 elections, Dave Weldon announced he would not seek another term and would be returning to his medical practice.^[5] He endorsed state Senator Bill Posey to succeed him.

[edit] Position on 2008 "Bailout"

On September 29, 2008, Weldon voted for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008^[6]. He was one of only three Florida Republicans to do so.

[edit] Memberships

Weldon is a member of the following:

• Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
• American College of Physicians, Fellow
• American Legion Post 163
• Brevard County Medical Society
• Florida Medical Association
• Phi Beta Kappa Society
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 453A
• Washington Legal Foundation national board of advisors

[edit] See also

• United States House of Representatives elections in Florida, 2008
• Florida's 15th congressional district

[edit] References

1. ^ Aimie Parnes, link "Lawmaker races clock in attempt to save Schiavo", Naples News, March 12, 2005
2. ^ Larry Wheeler, "GOP leading Space Coast race for cash: Weldon, Feeney report finances", Florida Today, October 18, 2006
3. ^ Amber Smith, "Incumbent Touts His Achievements", The Ledger, October 31, 2006
4. ^ John McCarthy, "Weldon coasts to an easy win", Florida Today, November 8, 2006
5. ^ Jackie Kucinich and Aaron Blake, "Weldon will not seek reelection", The Hill, January 25, 2008
6. ^ "Bailout Roll Call". 2008-09-29. http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/29/bailout.rollcall.0929.pdf. Retrieved September 29, 2008. 

[edit] External links

• Congressman Dave Weldon official U.S. House website
  • Weldon.house.gov — Special Order by U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon, M.D.' (autism epidemic address), Congressional Record (June 18, 2004)
• Dave Weldon for Congress official campaign website

• 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
• Online Focus: U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon (interview re: stem cell research), Public Broadcasting Service (August 9, 2004)
• Rep. Dave Weldon, M.D. testimony before the Institute of Medicine Immunization Safety Review Committee, SafeMinds (January 11, 2001)

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Jim Bacchus	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 15th congressional district January 3, 1995- January 3, 2009	Succeeded by Bill Posey