Mentors (Gulf)

The U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress shows wonderful hospitality to Gulf delegates!

Former congressional members have volunteered to act as Mentors to the 20 delegates coming from Kuwait and Oman.  Through personal meetings and home hospitality, they guide delegates through the U.S. political landscape. These mentors are also quite eager to learn more about Kuwait and Oman and develop lasting friendships and ties in the region.

Many thanks to the  following people who are acting as mentors for the  Fall Delegation.

1. Scott Klug (Republican Co-Chair)

LFP Mentee: Abdullah Al-Mahruqi (Oman)

Home District: Wisconsin’s 2^nd District

Years in Office: 1991-1999  (Four terms)

Committees While in Office: Energy and Commerce

Education: Lawrence University, BA; Journalism, MA, 1976; University of Wisconsin, MBA

Occupation: Public Affairs Director, law firm of Foley & Lardner

 

2. Larry LaRocco (Democratic Co-Chair)

LFP Mentee: Abdullah Al-Awadhi (Kuwait)  and Basmah Al-Kiyumi (Oman)

Home District: Idaho’s 1^st District

Years in Office: 1991-1995  (Two terms)

Committees While in Office: Banking, Interior

Education: University of Portland, BA; The Stanford University Institute of TV and Radio; Boston University, MS; Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies

Occupation:  Policy Director of Brownstein/Hyatt/Farber/Shreck, a law and government relations firm.

 

3. Phil English (Republican)

LFP Mentee: Ahmed Almasharafi (Oman)

Home District: Pennsylvania’s 3^rd and 21^st Districts (due to redistricting)

Years in Office: 1995-2009  (Seven terms)

Committees While in Office: Ways and Means Committee

Education: University of Pennsylvania, BA

Occupation: Senior Government Relations Advisor, Law Firm of Arent Fox LLP

 

4. Jack Buechner (Republican)

LFP Mentee: Dana Al Sarhani (Oman)  and Khalid Al-Haribi (Oman)

Home District: Missouri’s 2nd congressional district

Years in Office: 1987–1991 (Two terms)

Committees While in Office: Budget; Science, Space and Technology

Education: Buechner graduated from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas and graduated with a BA in political science. He received his JD from Saint Louis University School of Law.

Occupation:  Attorney, Anderson Kill & Olick

5.  Martin Frost (Democrat)

LFP Mentee: Ahmed Essa (Kuawit -- journalist)  and Mariam Al-Shemali (Kuwait)

Home District: Texas’s 24th congressional district
Years in Office: 1979 to 2005 (13 terms)

Committees While in Office: Rules, Budget, Chair of the Democratic Caucus

Education: He graduated in 1964 with a bachelor’s degrees in journalism and history from the University of Missouri. He received a law degree from Georgetown University in 1970.

Occupation:  Attorney at the law firm Polsinelli Shughart

6. Ron Sarasin (Republican)

LFP Mentee: Ali Al Saidi (Oman)

Home District: Connecticut 5th district

Years in Office: 1973-1979 (3 Terms)

Committees While in Office:

Education: He earned his B.S., University of Connecticut, Storrs, 1960. and J.D., University of Connecticut School of Law, Hartford, 1963.

Occupation:  President, U.S. Capitol Historical Society

7. Tom Downey (Democrat)

LFP Mentee: Huda Al-Mashari (Oman)  and Mashael Al-Hijri
Home District: 2^nd District of New York

Years in Office: 1975-1993 (9 terms)

Committees While in Office: Armed Services, Budget, Ways and Means

Education: Downey earned a B.S. from Cornell University in 1970 and a J.D. from American University in 1980

Occupation:  Founder and lobbyist at the Downey McGrath Group, Inc., a  government affairs consulting firm

8. Barbara Kennelly (Democrat)

LFP Mentee: Sara Alasousi (Kuwait) and Nejat Al-Amiri (Kuwait)
Home District: Connecticut

Years in Office: 1982-1999 (9 terms)

Committees While in Office: Ways and Means, Committee on Intelligence, Vice Chairman of Democratic Caucus

Education: B.A. from Trinity College in Washington, D.C., a certificate in business administration from Harvard Business School , and an M.A. in government from Trinity College in CT.

Biography: Barbara B. Kennelly has spent 25 years in public service at local, state and federal levels. A former ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee’s Subcommittee on Social Security, Mrs. Kennelly was the first woman to serve as Chief Majority Whip and she was Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus. She was also the first woman to serve on the House Committee on Intelligence. Throughout her career, Mrs. Kennelly has advocated for Social Security, Medicare and other health and retirement issues. After leaving Congress, she served as Counselor to the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration.  Mrs. Kennelly served on the 2005 White House Conference on Aging.  In 2006, Mrs. Kennelly was appointed to the Social Security Advisory Board by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Mrs. Kennelly resides in Hartford , Connecticut and Washington DC .  More info at http://womenincongress.house.gov/member-profiles/profile.html?intID=129

Many thanks to the  following people who are acting as mentors for the  Fall Delegation.