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Jerry Weller

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This is a profile of a former U.S. Representative. (See the Illinois portal for all incumbents, candidates and blogs.)
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Jerry Weller served the 11th Congressional district of Illinois from 1995-2008

Gerald C. "Jerry" Weller was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1995-2008, representing the 11th District of Illinois (map).

Contents

Record and controversies

General information about important bills and votes for can be found in Congresspedia's articles on legislation. You can add information you find on how Jerry Weller voted by clicking the "[edit]" link to the right and typing it in. Remember to cite your sources!

Iraq War

Weller voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.[1]

For more information see the chart of U.S. House of Representatives votes on the Iraq War.

Environmental record

For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Marriage to a Guatemalan legislator

On November 20, 2004, Weller married Zury Ríos Montt in Guatemala. They were married in the home of ex-dictator and president Efrain Rios Montt, the father of Zury. Causing confusion about her name are previous married names: Jeovanny Chávez, Garci'a Bravatti and Lopez Villatoro; (or mother's name Rios Sosa) but on her official website as a Congressman of Guatemala she advertises herself under her father's name, Rios Montt. An FRG party leader, she has said that she works on behalf of woman's health issues. She is also a supporter of CAFTA. She served as Chair of the Latin American Interparlimentary Group which some have claimed to be a conflict of interest for her. Jerry Weller sits on the House International Relations Committee, Western Hemispere, which many say is a conflict of interest for him as well. Jerry Weller has long been known for his advocacy of free trade.

Possible failure to report land ownership

In November 2006, the Chicago Reader reported that Weller owned several properties in Guatemala that he had not listed on financial disclosure forms. He had listed three other properties in the country, but local Guatemalan records show that Gerald Craig Weber - the name on the forms for the land Weller admits to owning - also owns or owned three more parcels in the area. As there is nothing illegal in him owning the land in itself, it is unclear why Weller would declare some of his Guatemalan holdings but not others.[2]

The Chicago Sun-Times reported[3] that Weller will announce his retirement from Congress on September 21, 2007, following on the heels of a Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington report that "labeled Weller one of the 22 most corrupt members of Congress, accusing him of improperly disclosing land deals in Nicaragua."

Reparations for Japanese Latin Americans

Weller cosponsored The Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Latin Americans of Japanese Descent Act in the 110th Congress which would establish a commission that would determine the facts and circumstances involving the relocation, internment and deportation of Japanese Latin Americans.[4]

Main article: Redress for Japanese Latin Americans/ U.S. legislation#Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Latin Americans of Japanese Descent Act of 2007

Retirement

On September 21, 2007, it was expected that Jerry Weller would announce his intention to retire at the end of the term.[5]

Retirement confirmation

After receiving negative publicity for his Nicaraguan land deals, Jerry Weller of officially confirmed his retirement on September 21, 2007. Weller claimed that this decision was made in the summer with his wife and that his family is his first priority. He said, "I have been privileged to serve you, and I am still your congressman for the next 14 months. I look forward to continuing to work with you, but most of all, I am looking forward to being a full-time father and a full-time husband."[6]

Bio

Background

Weller was born July 7, 1957, in Streator, Illinois, was educated at the University of Illinois, and was a staff member for Representative Tom Corcoran, assistant to the director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, an aide to Secretary of Agriculture John R. Block and a member of the Illinois House of Representatives before entering the House.

Congressional Career

Congressman Weller won against Democrat Tari Renner in 2004 [1]. Weller's vote total was 172,975 or 59% while Renner's vote total was 121,819 or 41%.

He serves as Deputy Majority Whip under Whip Roy Blunt.

2006 elections

In 2006, the Democrats nominated John Justin Pavich to face Weller in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) [2] Weller retained his seat.

Money in politics

This section contains links to – and feeds from – money in politics databases. <crpcontribdata>cid=N00004745&cycle=2006</crpcontribdata>

Links to more campaign contribution information for Jerry Weller
from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org site.
Fundraising profile: 2006 election cycle Career totals
Top contributors by organization/corporation: 2006 election cycle Career totals
Top contributors by industry: 2006 election cycle Career totals


Committees and Affiliations

Committee assignments in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

Coalitions and Caucuses

  • Congressional Sportmen's Caucus
  • Gaming Caucus
  • National Republican Congressional Committee
  • Co-Chair, Republican Housing Opportunity Task Force
  • Republican Israel Caucus
  • Trails Caucus

Boards and other Affiliations

  • Ducks Unlimited
  • Rotary
  • Wilmington Youth Center Board

More Background Data

Wikipedia also has an article on Jerry Weller. This article may use content from the Wikipedia article under the terms of the GFDL.

Contact

DC Office:
108 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3635
Fax: 202-225-3521
Web Email
Website

District Office - Joliet:
2701 Black Road, Suite 201
Joliet, IL 60435
Phone: 815-740-2028
Fax: 815-740-2037

Campaign Office:
1250 Andrea Court
Morris, IL 60450

Articles and Resources

Resources

Articles

Local blogs and discussion sites

Corresponding article on Wikipedia and Cause Caller. (If Cause Caller link does not work, pick from its list of senators and representatives.)

Current Office: U.S. House of Representatvies
111th Congress
Leadership Position:
 Committees Chaired:
 Committees,
Ranking Member On:
 Caucuses:
Committees:
110th Congress
Leadership Position:
None		 Committees Chaired:
 Committees,
Ranking Member On:
 Caucuses:
Congressional Sportmen's Caucus; Gaming Caucus; National Republican Congressional Committee; Co-Chair, Republican Housing Opportunity Task Force; Republican Israel Caucus; Trails Caucus
Committees: House Committee on Ways and Means, House Committee on Ways and Means/Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, House Committee on Ways and Means/Subcommittee on Trade
Congressional Career
First Elected to Current Office:
November 8, 1994		 First Took Current Office:
January 3, 1995		 Next Election:
November 4, 2008		 Term Ends:
January 3, 2009
Freshman Member?
No		 Previous Political Work?
Illinois State Representative, Staff Assistant, Representative Tom Corcoran,		 Other Party Membership:
District Offices:
1. 2701 Black Road, Suite 201, Joliet, IL 60435
Phone: 815-740-2028 / Fax: 815-740-2037
Campaign Contact:

Website:
Webform Email: / Email:

Campaign Offices:

1.
Phone: / Fax:
Zip Code Affiliations:
Misc:

Date of Birth: July 7, 1957








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