Education:
JD, Georgetown University, 1969
BS, Foreign Services and Economics, Georgetown University, 1966.

Professional Experience:
Attorney, 1973-1982
Legal counsel, Illinois Senate Judiciary Committee, 1972-1982
Legal counsel, Illinois Lieutenant Governor, 1969-1973.

Political Experience:
Majority Whip, United States Senate, 2006-present
Assistant Floor Leader United States Senate, 2001-present
Senator, United States Senate, 1997-present
Assistant Minority Leader, United States Senate, 2004
Representative, United States House of Representatives, 1983-1996
Democratic Nominee for Lieutenant Governor, State of Illinois, 1978
Democratic Nominee for Illinois State Senate, 1976.

Organizations:
Co-Chair, Atlantic Conference.

Caucuses/Non-Legislative Committees:
Co-Chair, Democratic Platform Committee, 2000
Co-Chair, Caucus on International Narcotics Control
Member, Congressional Coalition on Adoption
Member, Congressional Fire Services Caucus
Member, Congressional Internet Caucus
Member, Congressional Soybean Caucus
Member, Congressional Wine Caucus
Political Whip Co-Chair, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
Policy Committee
Founding Member, Senate Global Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Caucus
Co-Chair, Senate Hunger Caucus
Member, Senate National Guard Caucus
Co-Chair, Senate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education Caucus
Member, Senate Steel Caucus
Member, Steering Committee.

Committees:
Appropriations, Member
Joint Committee on the Library, Member
Judiciary, Member
Rules and Administration, Member
Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, Member
Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs, Member
Subcommittee on Defense, Member
Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, Chair
Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law, Chair
Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security, Member
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, Member
Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, Member
Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security, Member
Subcommittee on The Constitution, Member
Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Member