Released by Lazio 2000:

Congressman Rick Lazio was elected to his house seat in November 1992, defeating an 18-year incumbent in an upset victory. Lazio has since been re-elected by margins of 68%, 64%, and 66% -- the largest percentages in the history of his district on Long Island.

A leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, New York's Newsday gave Lazio their top ranking, saying he is "the star of the Long Island delegation." At the start of the 1999 Congress, Lazio was named to the post of Assistant Majority Leader, where he is playing a key role in shaping the legislative agenda in the House. Lazio also serves as Deputy Majority Whip, helping the House leadership and Republican members communicate with each other on a wide variety of Legislative issues and presenting the views of the New Yorkers to House leadership. An experienced legislator, Lazio has used his leadership position to advocate for New York interests and shape legislation to benefit the people of New York. Lazio has built bi-partisan relationships as well as working closely with New York's governor, George Pataki, the Mayor of the City of New York, Rudolph Giuliani, and legislators and people across the state to effect positive change for New York.

Lazio works to improve government by making it more efficient and more accountable. He is a results-oriented lawmaker who is committed to reducing the high federal tax burden on our working men and women. In each of the last two years, Lazio has successfully fought for responsible family tax cuts, most recently, voting to phase-out the Marriage Tax Penalty that now penalizes millions of America's families. He believes that government must be more efficient and effective in order to serve the people.

Lazio's unrelenting efforts to curb government waste and his outstanding voting record on behalf of taxpayers have earned him the praise of citizen watchdog groups throughout America. He's been rated by the Concord Coalition as New York's most fiscally responsible member of Congress. As a member of the House Budget Committee, Lazio helped author legislation that brought the first balanced federal budget in a generation. Proving that fiscal discipline and environmental conservation can go hand in hand, Lazio has also been named to the League of Conservation Voters' "Earth List", LCV's highest honor, for his outstanding work on protecting the environment.

As Housing chairman, Lazio is responsible for leading congressional efforts to reform housing and community policies for the 21st century. In October 1998, after a three-year battle with defenders of the status quo, legislation authored by Lazio to reform America's depression-era public housing laws was finally signed into law. This historic bill shifts power away from Washington into the hands of local communities and makes thousands of additional New York families eligible for federal home-buying assistance. This important bill rewards hard work and encourages residents to improve their quality of life.

Lazio's leadership role does not stop with housing. Lazio is focused on ensuring the safety and well being of all New Yorkers and their families. A former Assistant District Attorney, he continues to draw on his law enforcement background to keep violent criminals off our streets. Lazio's work has led every major local law enforcement organization and the National Association of Police Organizations to endorse his elections to Congress.

Lazio also serves as the senior New York Republican on the House Commerce Committee, which establishes the framework for such critical local and national matters as utilities deregulation, securities law, telecommunications, Medicare, teaching hospitals, and waste management. He has used this position to advocate for a better educational system and to foster economic growth through the promotion of technology industry as a source of good, high paying jobs for New Yorkers. He believes that high tech industry, community revitalization, and focused, responsible education can transform towns across New York State and lead to renewed economic growth and a better quality of life for New Yorkers.

As a member of the Health Subcommittee and co-founder of the House Cancer Awareness Working Group, Lazio has been at the forefront of the battle against breast cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

An alumnus of West Islip High School, Lazio graduated from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie and earned a law degree from American University. Before serving in Congress, he was twice elected to the Suffolk County Legislature. Lazio has been named Chairman of the 1999 National Italian-American Convention and is Congress' representative on the Holocaust Asset Committee. He resides in Brightwaters, Long Island with his wife, Patricia, and their two daughters, Molly Ann and Kelsey.