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Tom Cole |
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Currently Elected Oklahoma United States Representative District 4 |
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Party: |
Oklahoma Republican Party |
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Email: |
http://www.cole.house.gov/contact-tom.html |
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Website: |
tomcoleforcongress.com |
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Phone: |
405.329.6500 |
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Address: |
PO Box 722256
Norman OK 73070 |
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Legislative Assignments: |
House Committee on Appropriations
House Subcommittee on Legislative Branch
House Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies
House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies
House Committee on Natural Resources
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General: (political statement of goals, objectives, views, philosophies) |
Tom Cole became the Representative for Oklahoma's Fourth Congressional District on November 6th, 2002. During his tenure in the House Cole has established himself as a strong voice for the conservative views and values of the Fourth District. He is an advocate for a strong national defense, a defender of the interests of small business and taxpayers, a proponent of education at all levels and a leader on issues dealing with Native Americans and tribal governments. Cole was named as one of "Five Freshmen to Watch" by Roll Call at the outset of his congressional career.
Speaker Dennis Hastert appointed Cole to the powerful House Rules Committee in January of 2005. The Rules Committee serves as the body through which all significant legislation must pass before being considered by the House, giving Cole a voice in virtually every issue that comes before Congress. In addition to the Rules Committee, Cole serves on the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, also known as the Ethics Committee. He retains his membership and seniority on the House Armed Services Committee to which he was appointed in 2002. Cole also serves as a Deputy Majority Whip. In this role he helps line up the votes needed to pass the legislative agenda of the President and the House Republican Conference. |
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Personal: (Gender, age, marital status, spouse's name and age, children's name and
ages, home town, current residence) |
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Tom Cole is a fifth generation Oklahoman and an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation. He is currently the only Native American serving in Congress and was inducted in the Chickasaw Hall of Fame in 2004. Tom and his wife Ellen, have one son, Mason, and reside in Moore, Oklahoma. |
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Education: (times and places of schools, colleges, major, degrees, activities, sports) |
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A former college instructor in history and politics, Cole holds a B.A. from Grinnell College, an M.A. from Yale University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma. Cole has been a Thomas Watson Fellow and a Fulbright Fellow at the University of London. He currently serves on the national Board of the Fulbright Association. |
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Profession: (profession and work experience outside politics) |
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Cole is a founding partner and past president of CHS & Associates, a nationally recognized consulting and survey research firm based in Oklahoma City. The firm has been named one of the top twenty in its field in America and has literally dozens of past and current clients scattered across the country. |
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Military: (branch, years of service, active duty experience, highest rank, medals,
honors, discharge date and type) |
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None. |
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Civic: (past and present organizations, charities involvement) |
Member, Norman Chamber of Commerce, 2003-present
Honorary Member, Rotary Club, 2003-present
Board of Directors, Fulbright Association, 2002-present
Member, Oklahoma Historical Society, 1999-present
Member, Moore Chamber of Commerce, 1988-present
Member, Oklahoma Academy for State Goals
Moore Public Schools Foundation for Excellence.
Member, Oklahoma Academy for State Goals. |
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Political: (dates and titles of previously held political offices) |
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Cole has a significant background of service to his home state of Oklahoma. He has served as a District Director for former Congressman Mickey Edwards, a member of the Oklahoma State Senate, and as Oklahoma's Secretary of State. In this capacity he served as former Governor Frank Keating's chief legislative strategist and liaison to the state's federal delegation. Keating tapped Cole to lead Oklahoma's successful effort to secure federal funds to assist in the rebuilding of Oklahoma City in the wake of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19th, 1995. |
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Religion: (current and past religious affiliations, beliefs) |
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United Methodist. |
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Accomplishments: (significant accomplishments, awards, achievements) |
Cole has been a Thomas Watson Fellow and a Fulbright Fellow at the University of London. He currently serves on the national Board of the Fulbright Association.
Cole is a founding partner and past president of CHS & Associates, a nationally recognized consulting and survey research firm based in Oklahoma City. The firm has been named one of the top twenty in its field in America and has literally dozens of past and current clients scattered across the country.
He is currently the only Native American serving in Congress and was inducted in the Chickasaw Hall of Fame in 2004.
Speaker Dennis Hastert appointed Cole to the powerful House Rules Committee in January of 2005. In addition to the Rules Committee, Cole serves on the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, also known as the Ethics Committee. He retains his membership and seniority on the House Armed Services Committee to which he was appointed in 2002. Cole also serves as a Deputy Majority Whip. In this role he helps line up the votes needed to pass the legislative agenda of the President and the House Republican Conference. |