Mike Capuano

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Mike Capuano
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 8th district
Incumbent
Assumed office  January 6, 1999
Preceded by	Joseph Kennedy II
Born	January 9, 1952 (1952-01-09) (age 57) Somerville, Massachusetts, United States
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Barbara Capuano
Children	Joseph Capuano Michael Capuano
Residence	Somerville, Massachusetts
Alma mater	Dartmouth College, Boston College
Occupation	attorney
Religion	Roman Catholic

Michael Everett "Mike" Capuano (born January 9, 1952) is an American politician and Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 8th District of Massachusetts (map). The district, which was once represented by John F. Kennedy and Tip O'Neill, includes the northern three-fourths of Boston, as well as Cambridge and Somerville.

[edit] Birth and education

Capuano is a lifelong resident of Somerville. He was born to mother Rita Garvey Capuano and father Andrew Capuano, Michael attended Somerville High School, and graduated in 1969. In 1973, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College, and in 1977, a law degree from Boston College Law School. He specializes in tax law.

[edit] Political career

Serving the same seat his father once held, Capuano served as Alderman for Ward Five in Somerville from 1976 to 1979. Later, he became Alderman-at-Large, holding the position for two terms (1985 to 1989). Capuano then went on to become mayor of Somerville from January 1990 through December 1998.

Capuano was elected to Congress in 1998, succeeding fellow Democrat Joseph Kennedy II. He has been reelected five times, all unopposed in what has long been considered one of the safest Democratic districts in the nation, as well as the most Democratic district in New England. He was most recently reelected in 2008.^[1]. Along with being a member of the House Committee of Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Committee of Financial Services, Capuano also serves on the House Democratic Leadership team as a member of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.

Capuano is considered to be one of the biggest supporters in Congress for increasing international aid funding. He has become a voice for victims of the crisis in the Sudan and has secured new funding bills aimed at assisting poor African nations.

[edit] Committee assignments

Congressman Capuano is a member of three congressional committees, three party committees and co-founded five congressional caucuses while serving in the House. After the United States general elections, 2006 that created a Democratic majority in the House, Congressman Capuano was appointed Chairman of the Speaker's Task Force on Ethics Enforcement by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with whom he has a close relationship.

• Committee on House Administration
  • Subcommittee on Capitol Security (Chairman)
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on Aviation
  • Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
  • Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
• Committee on Financial Services
  • Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises
  • Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity
• Joint Committee on Printing

[edit] Party leadership and Caucus membership

• Chair, Speaker's Task Force on Ethics Enforcement
• Democratic Caucus: Chair, Committee on Organization, Study & Review
• Democratic Steering & Policy Committee
• Congressional Caucus on Community Health Centers (co-founder and co-chair)
• Congressional Caucus on Empowerment Zones and Empowered Communities (co-chair)
• Congressional Caucus on Korea (co-founder and co-chair)
• Congressional Caucus on Sudan (co founder and co-chair)
• Congressional Former Mayor's Caucus (co-founder and co-chair)
• Congressional Progressive Caucus

[edit] Private life

Capuano is married to Barbara Capuano. Barbara, also a Somerville High School graduate, received her B.S. from Boston State College in 1974, later earned her MBA from Babson College in 1976, and eventually became a certified public accountant. Mr. and Mrs. Capuano have two children, Joseph and Michael.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Congressman Michael E. Capuano official U.S. House site
  • Committees and Caucuses memberships
• Capuano for Congress official 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
• Profile at SourceWatch Congresspedia