Chet Edwards: Career Chronology

Nationally, Thomas Chester ("Chet") Edwards is not a well-known political figure, but to the residents of a strip of Central Texas stretching from just south of Dallas to just south of College Station, he's a popular, long-term Congressman. Edwards won the two most recent re-elections of his 18-year tenure with 51% of the vote in 2004 and 58% of the vote in 2006.

Among his constituents is a part-time rancher from Crawford named George W. Bush.

Here is a chronological look at the life of Chet Edwards:

1951: Born on November 24 in Corpus Christi. He has been a lifelong Methodist.

1974: Graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Economics from Texas A&M University. He received the Earl Rudder Award at graduation, which is given to two outstanding seniors.

1974-1977: Congressional aide to Congressman Olin E. Teague.

1978: Loses the election to succeed the retiring Teague to future Sen. Phil Gramm.

1981: Receives MBA from Harvard Business School.

1981-1985: Serves as a marketing representative for Trammell Crow Company.

1983-1989: Serves in the Texas State Senate, during which time he is named one of the Ten Best Legislators by Texas Monthly magazine.

1990: Wins Congressional seat representing the 17^th District.

1990-1996: Serves on Veterans Affairs and Armed Services Committees.

1995: Appointed Democratic chief deputy whip.

1996: Appointed to the Appropriations Committee.

2001: Works on Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee on issues involving protecting against terrorist threats. Opposes Bush Administration proposal to cut $100 million from nuclear non-proliferation budget.

2003: Secures $84 million to help install radiological detectors in the busies foreign ports.

2003: Named "Legislator of the Year" by the Association of the U.S. Army.

2005: Introduces the GI Bill of Rights for the 21^st Century.

2006: Receives the Award of Merit, the highest award given by the Military Coalition.

2007: Receives Marix Congressional Achievement Award from Military Officers Association of America for his work in support of the U.S. Army and military families.

2007: Authored the largest increase in veterans funding in the history of the Veterans Administration and receives the yearly Congressional award from both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

Today: Serves on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, Co-chair of the House Army Caucus, the USO Congressional Caucus, and is Chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee.

Chet Edwards is one of only eight members of the House to have served as senior members of the House Budget and Appropriations Committees.

Rep. Edwards wife, Lea Ann and sons J. T. and Garrison attend the Calvary Baptist Church in Waco.