STENY HOYER

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has spent his life dedicated to public service.  Beginning with his election to the Maryland State Senate in 1966, he has spent over 40 years fighting for policies to improve America. 

In November, 2006, Congressman Hoyer was elected by the Democratic Caucus to the post of Majority Leader, the second highest ranking position in Congress.  He served as Democratic Whip from 2002 to his election as Majority Leader.  He also served as Chairman of the Democratic Caucus from 1989 to 1995.

Since his election to Congress in 1981 to represent the 5^th Congressional District of Maryland, Congressman Hoyer has worked tirelessly to elect Democrats to Congress.  From 1995 to 2002 he served as the chief candidate recruiter for the Democratic Caucus.  He has traveled around the country to help elect and re-elect Democrats.  Since being elected Whip in 2002, Congressman Hoyer has traveled to 41 states and campaigned or recruited in over 112 districts. 

Congressman Hoyer has also worked hard to make sure that Members, candidates, campaign committees and state parties have the resources they need to succeed.  Since his election in 1981, he has given or raised over $23.5 million to help elect Democrats.

On the foreign policy front, Congressman Hoyer is a well-recognized champion for the cause of human rights, individual freedoms and religious liberties. He is the former Chairman and Ranking Democrat of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the Helsinki Commission), which advocates on such issues in Eastern Europe and the countries of the former Soviet Union.

Congressman Hoyer has always been dedicated to higher education, and currently serves on the St. Mary's College Board of Trustees. He also is a former member of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents and the Naval Academy Board of Visitors.

He received his BA from the University of Maryland in 1963 and his JD from Georgetown University Law Center in 1966.  After his election to the State Senate, he became the youngest State Senate President in Maryland's history in 1975 at the age of 35.

He and his wife, the late Judith Pickett Hoyer, have three daughters, Susan, Stefany, and Anne, and three grandchildren, Judy, James Cleveland and Alexa, and one great-granddaughter, Ava.