Thomas A. Daschle

A Representative and a Senator from South Dakota. Born in Aberdeen, S. Dak. On December 9, 1947. Attended private and public schools. Graduated South Dakota State University 1969. Served in the United States Air Force 1969-1972. Elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-sixth Congress in 1978 and reelected to the three succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1979-January 3, 1987). Elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate in 1986. Reelected in 1992 and 1998 and served from January 3, 1987, to January 3, 2005. Co-chair, Democratic Policy Committee, Democratic Conference (1989-1999). Minority leader and Democratic caucus chairman (1995-June 6, 2001. 2003-2005). Majority leader and Democratic caucus chairman (June 6, 2001-January 3, 2003). Unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 2004. Nominated by President Barack Obama to be Secretary of Health and Human Services in 2009, nomination subsequently withdrawn.