Week 3 Bob Menendez Congressman Bob Menendez has been active politically since he was a young man. As a 20-year-old in 1974, Menendez led the effort to reform education in his hometown of Union City, New Jersey by fighting successfully to change an appointed school board to an elected one. He helped turn the city's schools around, increasing graduation rates, attendance, and student performance. In the 29 years since then, his political acumen, commitment to education, and willingness to take on tough challenges have led him through several political careers to become the highest ranking Hispanic member of Congress in history. Menendez's parents left Cuba in 1953. He was born in New York City on New Year's Day in 1954. His parents then moved to Union City, where Menendez attended public schools, graduating from Union Hill High School in 1972. He completed a B.A. at St. Peter's College in New Jersey, and went on to study law at Rutgers University, earning his J.D. in 1979. The following year Menendez was admitted to the bar and began to practice law. Following his efforts to make membership on the Union City Board of Education an elective office, Menendez himself—while still a college student—ran successfully for the Board in 1974. He went on to chair the school board. On the heels of his successful efforts in education reform, Menendez was elected mayor of Union City in 1986. Menendez worked simultaneously in several positions as his political career took off. From 1987 to 1991, he served in the New Jersey State House of Assembly, while continuing to work as a lawyer in private practice and as mayor of Union City. Menendez was elected to the New Jersey Senate in 1991, becoming the first Hispanic state senator in the Garden State. He served there until he achieved another first—becoming the first Hispanic congressman from New Jersey when he was elected in 1992 as the U.S. representative for the 13th district. Menendez has been immensely popular with his constituents. He was elected to his sixth term in November 2002 with 78 percent of the vote. As a member of Congress, Menendez has made a stellar rise through the ranks of the Democratic House leadership. In 2002, he was elected by his colleagues to chair the Democratic Caucus of the House of Representatives. He is the only Hispanic ever elected to a leadership position, in either chamber of Congress, by either party. He also serves as chair of the Democratic Task Force on Education and the Democratic Task Force on Homeland Security. Menendez's efforts as a public servant have not gone unrecognized. In 1987 he was honored by the National Conference of Mayors for his work in promoting Union City's financial aid to non-profit day-care centers. In 1998 Menendez was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his commitment to human rights and his stance on immigration. He also has been lauded for his commitment to improving higher education. Most recently, he was awarded the Rutgers Medal in 2003. At the award ceremony, Rutgers University President Richard L. McCormick remarked: "Congressman Menendez has been a passionate, effective advocate for the people of New Jersey. He has emerged as a national leader and is one of Capitol Hill's true friends of higher education. Through his many years of public service, he has brought honor and inspiration to the university community…" Photo Usage: Photo courtesy of U. S. Representative Bob Menendez Hispanic Heritage Month 2003 | Links