The Honorable Frank Lautenberg The Honorable Frank R. Lautenberg

United States Senator from New Jersey,
Columbia University, New York, New York
Economics, 1949

Having retired from the Senate in 2000 after 18 years representing New Jersey, Senator Lautenberg answered a call to step into the race for his old seat with only five weeks to the election. Aside from its news noteworthiness, his victory signals a remarkable flexibility and commitment to public service.

Born in Paterson, New Jersey to Polish and Russian immigrant parents, like many of his generation Frank R. Lautenberg made the most of an educational opportunity when he attended Columbia University on the G.I. Bill. After receiving his economics degree in 1949, he co-founded and later led the first payroll services company in the United States, which eventually became one of the largest computer service corporations in the world.

First elected to the United States Senate in 1982, Senator Lautenberg subsequently ran and won in 1988 and 1994. Widely lauded for “never forgetting his roots,” many of his legislative accomplishments were aimed at benefiting the less advantaged sectors of society. Deeply concerned with the welfare of the un- and underemployed, he compiled a solid legislative record on health care, transportation, education, and science issues in an effort to ensure the vitality of the entire Northeast economy.

If the phrase “only in America” has special meaning for Senator Frank Lautenberg, he also gives it meaning for thousands of others. During his first three terms, he supported or sponsored initiatives to balance the budget, stop aid to states that support terrorism, ban domestic abusers from owning guns, tighten drunk driving standards, strengthen our commitment to the environment, and improve our transportation system.

He pushed strongly to provide a prescription drug benefit under Medicare, for a Patients Bill of Rights, and for measures to prevent retirement funds from being used for other purposes. He also co-authored the Ryan White Act to help in providing services to AIDS patients.

Senator Lautenberg, welcome back.