Class of 2005
Born April 22, 1964, Congressman James Langevin has dedicated his life to public service.
At the age of sixteen, Jim was injured while working with the Warwick Police Department in the Boy Scout Explorer program. A gun accidentally discharged and a bullet struck Jim, leaving him paralyzed. The tremendous outpouring of support from his community inspired Jim to give something back. He ran as a State Delegate to Rhode Island’s Constitutional Convention in 1986 and served as its Secretary. Two years later, he won election to the Rhode Island House of Representatives, where he established a reputation as a hard-working reformer committed to good government.
In 1994, Representative Langevin defeated a Republican incumbent to become the nation’s youngest Secretary of State. He took on the challenge of reforming Rhode Island’s outdated election system., established the state’s Public Information Center and, with Brown University, published “Access Denied,” which examined the General Assembly’s compliance with the Open Meetings Law and documented routine and widespread violations.
In 1998, Jim easily won re-election to his second term as Secretary of State, and in 2000, he made a successful run for the U.S. House of Representatives.
During his first term, Congressman Langevin was a lead sponsor of historic election reform legislation and was able to incorporate the tested reforms he implemented in Rhode Island. Langevin has also been a strong advocate for access to affordable health care, quality public education for every child, and sensible fiscal policies designed to encourage job and economic growth for all Americans.
Langevin has served on the House Armed Services Committee since his first term. In 2003, he was also asked to serve on the newly-created House Select Committee on Homeland Security. He continues to serve on this committee, which has since become permanent, and is the Ranking Member on its Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack.
Congressman Langevin serves on a number of Boards, including PARI Independent Living, Tech Access, The Warwick Shelter and the Festival Ballet. Langevin is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Lions Club and Save the Bay.
He graduated from Rhode Island College, then went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
