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Thomas J. Ridge

Tom Ridge
Tom Ridge.jpg
1st United States Secretary of Homeland Security
In office
January 24, 2003 – February 1, 2005
President George W. Bush
Preceded by Position established
Succeeded by Michael Chertoff
1st United States Homeland Security Advisor
In office
September 20, 2001 – January 24, 2003
President George W. Bush
Preceded by Position established
Succeeded by John Gordon
43rd Governor of Pennsylvania
In office
January 17, 1995 – October 5, 2001
Lieutenant Mark Schweiker
Preceded by Robert Casey
Succeeded by Mark Schweiker
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 21st district
In office
January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1995
Preceded by Donald Bailey
Succeeded by Phil English
Personal details
Born Thomas Joseph Ridge
(1945-08-26) August 26, 1945 (age 71)
Munhall, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Michele
Children 2
Education Harvard University (BA)
Dickinson School of Law (JD)
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch  United States Army
Rank Army-USA-OR-06.svg Staff sergeant
Unit 23rd Infantry Division
Battles/wars Vietnam War
Awards Bronze Star
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Gallantry Cross
Combat Infantryman Badge

Thomas Joseph "Tom" Ridge (born August 26, 1945) is an American politician who served as the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security from 2001 to 2003, and the first United States Secretary of Homeland Security from 2003 to 2005. Prior to this, Ridge was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 1995 and the 43rd Governor of Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Ridge was born in Munhall, Pennsylvania and raised in veterans' public housing in Erie, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Harvard University with honors, Ridge served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He earned the Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, and the Combat Infantryman Badge for his service. He then returned to Pennsylvania and completed his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at the Dickinson School of Law, graduating in 1972, and entered private practice.

As Assistant District Attorney in Erie, Ridge ran for Congress in his district, where he served six terms. He then ran for Governor in 1994, despite being little-known outside of northwest Pennsylvania. He won the election, and was reelected in 1998 with the most votes for a Republican governor in Pennsylvania (where Democrats outnumber Republicans by almost 500,000) in more than half a century. As Governor of Pennsylvania, Ridge is credited for statewide advances in economic development, education, health care and the environment.


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