Education:
JD, University of Iowa, 1983
BA, Iowa State University, 1980.

Professional Experience:
Attorney, Dutton, Braun, Staack, and Hellman, Public Limited Company.

Political Experience:
Representative, United States House of Representatives, 2006-present
Platform Committee, First Congressional District Democratic Party, 2004
Precinct Coordinator, John Edwards for President Campaign, 2004
Volunteer, Kerry-Edwards Campaign, 2004
Platform Committee, Black Hawk County Democratic Party, 1998, 2004
Platform Committee, Second Congressional District Democratic Party, 1998.

Organizations:
President, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa
Board of Directors, Iowa Legal Aid
Past President, Iowa Trial Lawyers Association
Board Member, Visiting Nurses Association
President, Waterloo Dollars for Scholars.

Caucuses/Non-Legislative Committees:
Governor Tom Vilsack's Task Force to Protect Iowans' Consumer Privacy
Founder, Populist Caucus.

Committees:
Energy and Commerce, Member
Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, Member
Subcommittee on Health (Energy and Commerce), Member
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (Energy and Commerce), Vice Chair