Congressman Jim Ramstad to Speak at a Special Full Committee Meeting Dinner on August 17th
Jim Ramstad was first elected to Congress in 1990 and re-elected in 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2002. He is a member of the Ways and Means Committee and the Trade and Health Subcommittees. Ramstad is founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Medical Technology Caucus and chair of the House Law Enforcement Caucus.
Jim has been recognized repeatedly by the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), Citizens Against Government Waste, Watchdogs of the Treasury and other taxpayer groups as one of the most fiscally responsible members of Congress. In 1998, The Concord Coalition gave him the eighth highest score among the U.S. House members for his votes to balance the budget and maintain fiscal responsibility.
Jim Ramstad has authored five anti-crime bills that have been enacted into law, including the "Jacob Wetterling Act," which established a national registration system for convicted child sex offenders and community notification.
Prior to his election to Congress, Jim served in the Minnesota Senate from 1981 through 1990, where he was Assistant Minority Leader.
Jim Ramstad has a long history of civic and community involvement. He currently serves as a board member of Minnesota D.A.R.E., Lake Country Food Bank and the Violence Against Women Coalition. Jim is a former chair of the State Human Rights Advisory Commission, and has served on the boards of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, Northwest and Ridgedale YMCAs, Normandale Community College Foundation, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, United Handicapped Federation, American Red Cross and TwinWest Chamber of Commerce.
Jim is also a member of Westphal Post 251 American Legion, Sons of Norway, Wayzata Community Church, Children's Home Society, Citizens League, Sierra Club, Minnesota Prayer Breakfast Committee, Plymouth Lions Club and Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce.
Jim Ramstad was born May 6, 1946, in Jamestown, North Dakota, where he graduated from high school. He received his B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota in 1968 (Phi Beta Kappa) and his J.D. (with Honors) from George Washington University in 1973. He earned his commission as a Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve, where he served from 1968-74. Ramstad is a former Criminal Justice Act attorney and adjunct professor of government and Constitutional law.
