Richard L. Saslaw
Encyclopedia
Richard Lawrence "Dick" Saslaw (born February 5, 1940, in Washington, D.C.
) is an American politician. A conservative Democrat
, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates
1976–80, after which he was elected to the Senate of Virginia
. He the 35th district, made up of parts of Fairfax County
and the city of Alexandria
.
Saslaw has been the Democratic leader of the Senate since 1996, serving as Minority Leader 1998–2007 and Majority Leader since 2008. He ran for Congress in Virginia's 8th district in 1984. He was defeated by then-Congressman Stanford Parris.
(1958–60), before receiving a B.S.
degree in economics from the University of Maryland
. After that, he went into the gasoline service station business.
Saslaw and his wife Eleanor, a retired guidance director and member of the Virginia State Board of Education
, settled in northern Virginia in 1968. Their daughter, Jennifer, received her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia
. and her law degree from Stanford Law School. They live in Springfield, VA.
gained a majority by picking up four seats in the Virginia State Senate. Senator Saslaw was named Majority Leader when the Democrats assumed control of the chamber in 2008.
He also serves as chair of the Senate's Labor and Commerce Committee.
Education has been one of his priorities. In 2006, the Association of School Boards named him Virginia Legislator of the Year.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
) is an American politician. A conservative Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
1976–80, after which he was elected to the Senate of Virginia
Senate of Virginia
The Senate of Virginia is the upper house of the Virginia General Assembly. The Senate is composed of 40 Senators representing an equal number of single-member constituent districts. The Senate is presided over by the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia...
. He the 35th district, made up of parts of Fairfax County
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County is a county in Virginia, in the United States. Per the 2010 Census, the population of the county is 1,081,726, making it the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 13.5% of Virginia's population...
and the city of Alexandria
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
.
Saslaw has been the Democratic leader of the Senate since 1996, serving as Minority Leader 1998–2007 and Majority Leader since 2008. He ran for Congress in Virginia's 8th district in 1984. He was defeated by then-Congressman Stanford Parris.
Personal life
Saslaw was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in the suburbs. He served in the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
(1958–60), before receiving a B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in economics from the University of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
. After that, he went into the gasoline service station business.
Saslaw and his wife Eleanor, a retired guidance director and member of the Virginia State Board of Education
Virginia State Board of Education
The Virginia State Board of Education is an independent board established by the state of Virginia in the United States which helps set state elementary and secondary educational policy, advocates within state government for elementary and secondary education, administers some state educational...
, settled in northern Virginia in 1968. Their daughter, Jennifer, received her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
. and her law degree from Stanford Law School. They live in Springfield, VA.
Majority Leader
In the 2007 Virginia legislative elections, DemocratsDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
gained a majority by picking up four seats in the Virginia State Senate. Senator Saslaw was named Majority Leader when the Democrats assumed control of the chamber in 2008.
He also serves as chair of the Senate's Labor and Commerce Committee.
Education has been one of his priorities. In 2006, the Association of School Boards named him Virginia Legislator of the Year.
Gun Control
- In February 2011, Saslaw was one of eight senators on the Senate Courts of Justice Committee who “passed by indefinitely” House Bill 1573, defeating the bill by an 8 to 4 margin. The bill, also known as Castle DoctrineCastle DoctrineA Castle Doctrine is an American legal doctrine arising from English common law that designates one's place of residence as a place in which one enjoys protection from illegal trespassing and violent attack...
, would have allowed “a lawful occupant use of physical force, including deadly force, against an intruder in his dwelling who has committed an overt act against him, without civil liability.”