Jo Ann Emerson, Republican

Current office: U.S. House

Birth place: Bethesda, MD (09/16/1950)
Home city: Cape Girardeau, MO

Education: BA, Political Science, Ohio Wesleyan University, 1972.

Profession: Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, American Insurance Association, 1994-1996 Director of State Relations and Grassroots Programs, National Restaurant Association, 1991-1993 Deputy Communications Director, National Republican Congressional Committee, 1983-1990.

Political: Representative, United States House of Representatives, 1996-present Changed Party Designation from Independent to Republican, January 7, 1997 Elected, Republican in Special Election, November 5, 1996 Elected, Independent in General Election, November 5, 1996.

Membership: Vice Chair, Center Aisle Caucus Vice Chair, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly's Committee on Civilian Security, present Advisory Board, Members and Family Room, United States House of Representatives, 1994-present Federal Communications Commission, Small Business Advisory Committee, 1991-1992 Co-Chair/Co-Founder, Congressional Rural Caucus National Republican Congressional Committee Outreach Coordinator, Rural Health Care Coalition Western Caucus. Chair, National Prayer Breakfast, 2005 Advisory Board, Arneson Institute for Practical Politics and Public Affairs Founding Member, Bipartisan Congressional Retreat Board Member, Bread for the World Advisory Committee, Children's Inn National Institutes of Health Congressional Coalition on Adoption Chair, Board of Directors, Congressional Hunger Center Copper Dome Society of Southeast Missouri State University First Presbyterian Church, Cape Girardeau Board Member, Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation President, House of Representatives Prayer Breakfast National Guard and Reserve Components Congressional Members Organization PEO Women's Service Group, Chapter FY, Cape Girardeau Former Board of Directors, Presbyterian Children's Home Honorary/Life Trustee, Westminster College.

First elected: 11/05/1996
Last elected: 11/04/2008
Next election: 2008

Family: Husband: Ron Gladney; 2 Children: Victoria, Katharine; 6 Stepchildren: Elizabeth, Abigail, Alison, Stephanie, Jessica, Sam.


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