1975, graduate (Hons), Claremont McKenna College; 1976, Master's in American Government, Claremont Graduate University. 1976-78, Director, Corporate Relations, Claremont McKenna College. First elected to Congress in 1980. 1995, authored the congressional reform package that streamlined committee staff, promoted fiscal responsibility, created term-limits for committee chairman, and opened committee meetings to the public and press. 1999, joined the House Leadership, House Committee on Rules. 2001, selected as Chair of the State's Republican Congressional Delegation, leading California's House Republicans on critical state-wide issues. Interests: the promotion of individual liberty, economic opportunity, personal responsibility, limited government and security, both at home and abroad; 2006, authored comprehensive legislation to reform lobbying and ethics laws. Member, Council on Foreign Relations; Member of the Board, International Republican Institute. Recipient of awards and honours. Founding Chairman of the House Democracy Partnership (HDP), which works directly with the legislatures in 12 countries around the globe, helping to build democratic institutions in new and re-emerging democracies.