Dave Weldon

David Joseph Weldon, (known as Dave Weldon) (born August 31 1953, Amityville, New York) is an American politician and physician. He has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1995, representing (map).

Personal

Weldon served in the United States Army from 1981 to 1987 and the United States Army Reserve from 1987 until 1992. In 1978,he received a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the State University of New York, and in 1981 a medical degree from the State University of New York, Buffalo School of Medicine. He practiced as a physician in Florida after becoming an MD.

Weldon resides in Indialantic, Florida, with his wife, Nancy, and their two children, Katie and David.

In December, 2005, Weldon joined with several other Congressmen to form the Second Amendments, a bipartisan rock and country band set to play for United States troops stationed overseas over the Holiday season. Weldon plays the bass guitar.

Committee Assignments

• Committee on Appropriations
• Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
• Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
• Chair and Co Founder, Congressional Aerospace Caucus
• Chair and Co Founder, Congressional Israel Allies Caucus

Terri Schiavo controversy

In response to the legal battle over the removal of the feeding tube of Terri Schiavo, Weldon introduced legislation to force review of the case by the federal government. Weldon, who has a medical degree, believed that Schiavo was not in a vegetative state. He supported his belief saying, "She responds to verbal stimuli, she attempts to vocalize, she tracks with her eyes, she emotes, she attempts to kiss her father.

Congressional elections

2006

Weldon faced Democrat Bob Bowman in the general 2006 election. Weldon raised significantly more campaign funds than Bowman: By the end of September, Weldon's total was $673,321 versus $21,944 for Bowman. Weldon also refused to debate Bowman during the campaign. In the November election, Weldon received 125,596 votes to Bowman's 97,947.

2008

On January 25, 2008, with this seat becoming a top battleground in 2008 elections, Dave Weldon announced he would not seek another term and would be returning to his medical practice. He has endorsed state Senator Bill Posey to succeed him.

Position on 2008 "Bailout"

On September 29, 2008, Weldon voted for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. He was one of only three Florida Republicans to do so.

Memberships

Weldon is a member of the following:

• Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
• American College of Physicians, Fellow
• American Legion Post 163
• Brevard County Medical Society
• Florida Medical Association
• Phi Beta Kappa Society
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 453A
• Washington Legal Foundation national board of advisors

See also

• United States House of Representatives elections in Florida, 2008
• Florida's 15th congressional district

References

External links

• Congressman Dave Weldon official U.S. House website
• Weldon.house.gov — Special Order by U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon, M.D.' (autism epidemic address), Congressional Record (June 18, 2004)
• Dave Weldon for Congress official campaign website

• Online Focus: U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon (interview re: stem cell research), Public Broadcasting Service (August 9, 2004)
• Rep. Dave Weldon, M.D. testimony before the Institute of Medicine Immunization Safety Review Committee, SafeMinds (January 11, 2001)