…from the October/November 2007 edition:
Name: Judy Biggert
Hometown: Hinsdale, IL
Occupation: Member, U.S. House of Representatives, 13th District of Illinois
Previous Jobs: Member of the Illinois House of Representatives, 1993 – 1998; Attorney specializing in real estate, estate planning, and probate, 1975 – 1998; Clerk to The Honorable Luther M. Swygert, U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 1963 – 1964.
Individual(s) who inspired me as a child: When I was very little, my father told me that with a good education I could be anything in the world I wanted to be. Though I did not achieve my dream of becoming a ballerina, I truly believe that almost everything good in my life has come to me as the result of his encouragement and a good education.
Historical figure(s) I would most like to meet: Abraham Lincoln for his courage and Socrates for his wisdom.
Issue facing America that no one is talking about: We could be losing our edge in the physical sciences and R&D, threatening our position as the most creative and innovative nation in the world. According to Nobel Prize-winning economist Robert Solow, at least half of the total growth of the U.S. economy since World War II was brought about by science and technology innovations. To stay ahead in the global marketplace in the years to come, we must maintain a robust national investment in basic scientifi c research and encourage creative thinking and innovation now.
What the GOP must do to reclaim its congressional majority: We must work very hard to earn back the respect and trust of the American people. We will if we can demonstrate a renewed and unflinching commitment to fiscal discipline, economic growth, and the security of our nation. We can succeed if we return to the principles of our party: personal responsibility, less government intrusion, lower taxes and opportunity for all.