Released by Weygand Committee:

Leadership. Vision. Integrity.

These are the attributes that make Bob Weygand the most qualified individual to serve in the United States Senate.

A landscape architect by trade, Bob Weygand was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1996 and is currently serving his second term in Congress. A 1998 recipient of the nationally recognized Claude Pepper Award, given to a person who has championed the cause of home health care for millions of Americans, Bob has spent a lifetime fighting for those issues that matter in the real lives of every day Rhode Islanders. Whether it is leading the charge to see that Rhode Island seniors have access to affordable prescription drugs or that children start school ready to learn or in his vigorous efforts to save Medicare, Bob Weygand has been a leader in Washington. And, although Rhode Island is the smallest state in the nation, it is well represented in Congress thanks to the hard work of Congressman Bob Weygand.

Raised in the heart of a working class neighborhood in the City of Pawtucket, Bob is a life long resident of the Ocean State. A graduate of St. Raphael Academy, he went on to attend the University of Rhode Island earning a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A). He would later start his own landscape architectural firm in 1982.

He began his public service in 1978 when he became a member of the East Providence Planning Board, becoming its chairman in 1979. First elected to public office in 1984 as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, representing District 84, Bob stayed in the General Assembly until 1993 serving on a number of committees including the House Corporations Committee, for which he was Chairman. He also earned Legislator of the Year honors in 1988. It was during his time as a State Representative that Bob helped to write Rhode Island's land use laws which have been recognized nationally for being the most progressive and forward thinking of their kind in the country.

Bob Weygand is a name and a person we can trust in the US Senate. Perhaps no better example of this was his role in uncovering an extensive corruption operation in the City of Pawtucket in 1991. While working on a municipal landscaping project, Bob was solicited for a bribe by then Pawtucket Mayor Brian Sarault in the form of a kickback scheme. A person noted for possessing the highest degree of integrity, Bob notified the FBI and subsequently worked with them in conducting an elaborate undercover operation. This included Bob wearing a wire during his meetings with Sarault, all in an effort to expose and bring to justice a corrupt Mayor. As a result of his courageous actions during the Pawtucket corruption probe, the FBI awarded Bob their Award for Exceptional Public Service, becoming the first private citizen to receive this prestigious honor. He was also recognized with the Rhode Island Distinguished Service Star.

Elected Lieutenant Governor in 1992, Bob made seniors issues and small business top priorities during his two terms in office. As Chairman of the Long Term Coordinating Council, he authored legislation to protect the elderly and to improve access to long-term care services. As a result, he was appointed Chairman of Rhode Island's delegation to the White House Conference on Aging, where he advocated for improvements to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

Honored by the United States Small Business Administration, he was elected Chairman of the Rhode Island Small Business Advocacy Council and was also named to serve as a Presidential delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business.

Elected National Chairman of the Democratic Caucus of Lieutenant Governor's in 1995, he continued his work in the areas of environmental protection, housing and land use policy. He has been honored with the Leadership Award presented by the American Planning Association.

As United States Congressman, Bob was one of the first legislators to recognize the high cost of prescription drugs for senior citizens, then introduced legislation with his colleagues to provide affordable medication to seniors at a 40-50% savings. Bob is also credited with fighting for federal funding which provided Rhode Island with the resources it needed to construct bike paths for all Rhode Islanders to enjoy. He has worked to save and strengthen Medicare.

Congressman Weygand serves on the House Committee on Budget and the Committee on Banking and Financial Services. Chosen president of his freshman class in Congress in 1997 he was also chosen to participate in the Democratic Leadership Group. During this time in Congress he fought for protecting the rights of our state's working men and women by supporting legislation such as an increase in the minimum wage.

Bob has enjoyed a long history with civic and charitable organizations. He has held leadership positions and memberships with groups such as the United Way, Meeting Street Center, Big Brothers of Rhode Island, Save the Bay, the Rhode Island Park Association and the Rhode Island Scenic Highway Board.

Married for 30 years to the former Frances A. Scullian they have three children, Jennifer (Zevon), Allison and Robert Jr. The Weygands recently welcomed into the world their first grandchild when Jennifer gave birth on August 1, 2000 to Celia Zevon.

Bob Weygand believes that Rhode Island has a unique opportunity to return a Democrat to this US Senate seat for the first time in 24 years. He is a principled individual who grew up admiring the likes of such political legends as John O. Pastore, Claiborne Pell and J. Joseph Garrahy. It is in the shadow of these Rhode Island giants that he seeks support of those who share his concern and values on the important issues affecting average Rhode Islanders.

As a US Senator, Weygand will work to see that the uninsured and underinsured have access to health care coverage; that our seniors can afford to purchase their often lifesaving prescription drugs; that Rhode Island's children start school ready to learn and have access to a world-class education complete with state of the art technology; and, that we create and retain well paying jobs for all Rhode Islanders.