Ron Kind
Encyclopedia
Ronald James "Ron" Kind is the U.S. Representative
for , serving since 1997. He is a member of the Democratic Party
. His district is located in the western portion of the state and is anchored by La Crosse
and Eau Claire
and Platteville
.
Kind attended the public schools in La Crosse and became a standout student athlete at Logan High School
in both football and basketball. He accepted a scholarship
to Harvard College
where he graduated with honors in 1985. While attending Harvard, Kind played quarterback on the football team and worked during the summer with Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire
in Washington. In Proxmire's office he helped investigate waste, which provided the basis for some of the senator's famous Golden Fleece Award
s.
Kind went on to receive a master's degree from the London School of Economics
and a Law Degree from the University of Minnesota Law School
. He practiced law for two years at the law firm of Quarles and Brady in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Kind returned to his hometown of La Crosse to become a county prosecutor. He later served as a special prosecutor in numerous counties throughout western Wisconsin.
Kind's other (non-committee) titles are the Democratic Chief Deputy Whip
, co-founder of both the Upper Mississippi River Congressional Caucus and the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus
, and co-vice-chair of the New Democrat Coalition
.
He is the House sponsor of the FIT Kids Act, federal legislation that would require school districts to report on students' physical activity and to give youngsters health and nutritional information.
Kind has focused most of his time and effort on the Subcommittee of Health on health care issues within small business. As a member of the Natural Resources Committee, he has worked on a very important issue to his district which is the restoration of the Mississippi River; especially fighting off invasive species that could threaten the future of the river. He also concentrates on the problem of agriculture reform, for which he has received national recognition for his work in 2007.
In interest group ratings from his time in office, Kind has supported women’s issues, poverty reform, veterans issues, social security, environmental issues, education, and civil rights.
. He later won a five-person race for the Democratic nomination and went on to defeat his Republican
opponent, James Harsdorf
52 percent to 48 percent, becoming only the second Democrat to represent this district in the 20th century. Kind didn't face another contest nearly that close until 2010.
.
, who was subsequently recalled for voting against collective bargaining rights. Many political pundits attributed Kind's slim victory to his positive regional campaign tactics (such as using campaign funds for community volunteer projects), in contrast to Kapanke's use of negative attacks ads from such groups as Americans For Prosperity.
).
Kind is a member of the La Crosse Optimists Club, a leader in the Boys and Girls Club, and the La Crosse YMCA
. He is also on the board of directors for Coulee Council on Alcohol or Other Drug Abuse. His wife organizes the annual Congressional Art Competition for high school artists in western Wisconsin.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for , serving since 1997. He is a member of the Democratic Party
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...
. His district is located in the western portion of the state and is anchored by La Crosse
La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse is a city in and the county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The city lies alongside the Mississippi River.The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 52,485...
and Eau Claire
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Eau Claire is a city located in the west-central part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 65,883 as of the 2010 census, making it the largest municipality in the northwestern portion of the state, and the 9th largest in the state overall. It is the county seat of Eau Claire County,...
and Platteville
Platteville, Wisconsin
Platteville is the largest city in Grant County in southwestern Wisconsin. The population was 11,224 at the 2010 census, growing 12% since the 2000 Census. Much of this growth is likely due to the enrollment increase of the University of Wisconsin–Platteville...
.
Early life, education and career
Kind was born and raised in La Crosse. He is the third of five children born to Greta and Elroy Kind, and the fifth generation of his family to live in the area. Kind's mother formerly worked as the assistant director of personnel in the La Crosse School District. His father had a 35-year career as a telephone repairman and union leader at the La Crosse Telephone Company.Kind attended the public schools in La Crosse and became a standout student athlete at Logan High School
Logan High School (La Crosse, Wisconsin)
Logan High School is one of the two public high schools in La Crosse, Wisconsin in the School District of La Crosse. Despite a recent shift in high school attendance area boundaries, Logan High School has not met an enrollment target set for the School District of La Crosse high schools...
in both football and basketball. He accepted a scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
to Harvard College
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
where he graduated with honors in 1985. While attending Harvard, Kind played quarterback on the football team and worked during the summer with Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire
William Proxmire
Edward William Proxmire was an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a United States Senator from Wisconsin from 1957 to 1989.-Personal life:...
in Washington. In Proxmire's office he helped investigate waste, which provided the basis for some of the senator's famous Golden Fleece Award
Golden Fleece Award
The Golden Fleece Award is presented to those public officials in the United States whom the judges feel waste public money.Established in 1975 by former U.S. Senator William Proxmire , and issued until 1988, it was revived by the Advisory Board of the Taxpayers for Common Sense in 2000...
s.
Kind went on to receive a master's degree from the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
and a Law Degree from the University of Minnesota Law School
University of Minnesota Law School
The University of Minnesota Law School, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, is a professional school of the University of Minnesota. The school offers a Juris Doctor , Masters of Law for Foreign Lawyers, and joint degrees with J.D./M.B.A., J.D./M.P.A, J.D./M.A., J.D./M.S., J.D./Ph.D.,...
. He practiced law for two years at the law firm of Quarles and Brady in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Kind returned to his hometown of La Crosse to become a county prosecutor. He later served as a special prosecutor in numerous counties throughout western Wisconsin.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Ways and MeansUnited States House Committee on Ways and MeansThe Committee of Ways and Means is the chief tax-writing committee of the United States House of Representatives. Members of the Ways and Means Committee are not allowed to serve on any other House Committees unless they apply for a waiver from their party's congressional leadership...
- Subcommittee on OversightUnited States House Ways and Means Subcommittee on OversightThe House Way and Means Subcommittee on Oversight is one of the six subcommittees within the House Ways and Means Committee-Jurisdiction:From the House Rules:...
- Subcommittee on HealthUnited States House Ways and Means Subcommittee on HealthThe U.S. House Energy Subcommittee on Health is a subcommittee within the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.-Jurisdiction:The House Subcommittee on Health has general jurisdiction over bills and resolutions relating to issues within the scope of the Subcommittee's jurisdiction, and has...
- Subcommittee on Social SecurityUnited States House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social SecurityThe Subcommittee on Social Security is a subcommittee of the Committee on Ways and Means in the United States House of Representatives.-Jurisdiction:From the House rules...
- Subcommittee on Oversight
- Committee on Natural Resources
- Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and WildlifeUnited States House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and WildlifeThe United States House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs is one of the five subcommittees within the House Natural Resources Committee-Members, 112th Congress:- External links :*...
- Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public LandsUnited States House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public LandsThe United States House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands is one of the five subcommittees within the House Natural Resources Committee-Members, 112th Congress:-External links:*...
- Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife
Caucus memberships
- Congressional Wildlife Refuge CaucusCongressional Wildlife Refuge CaucusThe Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus is a large bi-partisan Congressional Member Organization in the U.S. House of Representatives formed to support the National Wildlife Refuge System through legislation, funding, and education.-History:...
- International Conservation CaucusUnited States Congressional International Conservation CaucusThe U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus is a bipartisan congressional organization that was founded in September 2003 with the conviction that “the United States of America has the opportunity, the obligation and the interests to advance the conservation of natural resources for...
- Sportsmen's Caucus
- Upper Mississippi River Congressional Caucus
- Congressional Arts Caucus
Kind's other (non-committee) titles are the Democratic Chief Deputy Whip
Whip
A whip is a tool traditionally used by humans to exert control over animals or other people, through pain compliance or fear of pain, although in some activities whips can be used without use of pain, such as an additional pressure aid in dressage...
, co-founder of both the Upper Mississippi River Congressional Caucus and the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus
Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus
The Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus is a large bi-partisan Congressional Member Organization in the U.S. House of Representatives formed to support the National Wildlife Refuge System through legislation, funding, and education.-History:...
, and co-vice-chair of the New Democrat Coalition
New Democrat Coalition
The New Democrat Coalition is a Congressional Member Organization within the United States Congress made up of Democrats who support an agenda that the organization describes as moderate and pro-growth. A July 2009 Press release described the organization as "the largest moderate coalition in the U.S...
.
He is the House sponsor of the FIT Kids Act, federal legislation that would require school districts to report on students' physical activity and to give youngsters health and nutritional information.
Kind has focused most of his time and effort on the Subcommittee of Health on health care issues within small business. As a member of the Natural Resources Committee, he has worked on a very important issue to his district which is the restoration of the Mississippi River; especially fighting off invasive species that could threaten the future of the river. He also concentrates on the problem of agriculture reform, for which he has received national recognition for his work in 2007.
In interest group ratings from his time in office, Kind has supported women’s issues, poverty reform, veterans issues, social security, environmental issues, education, and civil rights.
1996
Kind was first elected in (map) in November 1996. In September 1995, he had announced his intention to run for the 3rd Congressional District seat being vacated by 16-year incumbent Steve Gunderson
Steve Gunderson
Steven Craig "Steve" Gunderson is the President and CEO of the Council on Foundations and a former Republican congressman from Wisconsin.-Early years:Gunderson grew up near Whitehall, Wisconsin...
. He later won a five-person race for the Democratic nomination and went on to defeat his Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
opponent, James Harsdorf
James Harsdorf
James Harsdorf is an American politician and dairy farmer from Wisconsin.Born in Stillwater, Minnesota, Harsdorf graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in animal science. He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in a 1977 special election, defeating future Wisconsin...
52 percent to 48 percent, becoming only the second Democrat to represent this district in the 20th century. Kind didn't face another contest nearly that close until 2010.
2004, 2006
In 2004 he won with 57 percent of the vote and won with 65 percent of the vote in 2006 against Paul R. NelsonPaul R. Nelson
Paul Raymond Nelson is a resident of Woodville, Wisconsin, United States Marine Corps veteran, and real estate agent. He was the Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district challenging incumbent Democrat Ron Kind in the 2006 mid-term election...
.
2008
In 2008 he won with 63 percent of the vote.2010
In 2010 he won with 50 percent of the vote against former State Senator Dan KapankeDan Kapanke
Daniel E. Kapanke is a former Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 32nd District from 2004 until losing his seat to Jennifer Shilling in the 2011 recall elections.-Early life, education and career:...
, who was subsequently recalled for voting against collective bargaining rights. Many political pundits attributed Kind's slim victory to his positive regional campaign tactics (such as using campaign funds for community volunteer projects), in contrast to Kapanke's use of negative attacks ads from such groups as Americans For Prosperity.
Personal life
Kind and his wife, Tawni, live in his hometown of La Crosse. She is an official court reporter for the County Court system. They have two sons, Johnny (born in August 1996) and Matthew (born in May 1998). They are members of Immanuel Lutheran Church (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran SynodWisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod is a North American Confessional Lutheran denomination of Christianity. Characterized as theologically conservative, it was founded in 1850 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As of 2008, it had a baptized membership of over 389,364 in more than 1,290 congregations,...
).
Kind is a member of the La Crosse Optimists Club, a leader in the Boys and Girls Club, and the La Crosse YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
. He is also on the board of directors for Coulee Council on Alcohol or Other Drug Abuse. His wife organizes the annual Congressional Art Competition for high school artists in western Wisconsin.
External links
- U.S. Congressman Ron Kind official U.S. House website
- Ron Kind for Congress official campaign website
- Profile at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin