Bill's 2002 Campaign Bio

From Bill's 2002 Campaign Site:

About Bill Luther...

Bringing Minnesota's Values...

Growing up on his family's dairy farm in Fergus Falls, Bill learned the values of hard work and family. His parents made sacrifices so that he, his brothers and sister could have a better life than they had.

Bill credits his parents with his interest in politics. They'd listen to the debates and discuss issues with their kids. They were well aware of the impact politicians could have on their country and community. They sent Bill to college in the early 1960's with a feeling of hope and of awe at what was going on in the world. John F. Kennedy had just been elected President, we were racing the Soviets to the moon, and it seemed like anything was possible.

Graduating from high school in 1963, he went on to earn electrical engineering and law degrees with honors from the University of Minnesota. NASA, our nation's space program, asked Bill to join their engineering division. Knowing where his true passion was, Bill declined NASA's offer and continued to pursue his true love- the law.

In 1967, Bill married his wife Darlene and they had two children, Alex and Alicia.
Darlene served in the Minnesota House of Representative from 1993-2002. In January 2002, Darlene lost her battle with stomach cancer. She will be remembered for her generosity and her passionate advocacy of school bus safety, the interests of the physically and mentally challenged, and organ donation.

First elected to the Minnesota Legislature in 1974, Bill served in both the House and Senate rising to the position of Assistant Senate Majority Leader while also practicing business law in Minneapolis. In the Legislature, he was a leader in reforming Minnesota's campaign finance laws.

To Washington

In 1994, Congressman Luther was one of only thirteen new Democrats elected to the House of Representatives. Because of his leadership skills and knowledge of public policy, Bill serves as a Regional Democratic Whip. This position gives him access to the House leadership to be an advocate for the needs of Minnesota. Bill also is a founding member of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of moderate, independent Democrats who are committed to fiscally responsible, common sense approaches to addressing the nation's problems.

In Congress, he has established a solid reputation for fiscal responsibility and preserving Minnesota's quality of life. Bill serves on one of Congress' most powerful committees, the Energy & Commerce Committee, as well as the subcommittees on Telecommunications and the Internet, Energy and Air Quality, and Environment and Hazardous Materials.

Bill doesn't get the chance to watch the sun rise over the dairy farm much these days, but he still tries to live the values he learned there and appreciate everything this state and country has to offer.