Representative Tim Roemer

Representative Tim Roemer
Name	Tim Roemer
Birth date	30 October 1956
Birth place	South Bend, Indiana
Alma mater	University of Notre Dame, University of California, Los Angeles
Occupation	Politician; diplomat; academic
Office	United States Ambassador to India
Term start	January 2009
Term end	March 2011
Predecessor	David Mulford
Successor	Ambassador Robert O. Blake Jr.
Party	Democratic Party
Spouse	Ameya Roemer

Representative Tim Roemer is an American politician, diplomat, and academic who served four terms as a United States Representative from Indiana's 3rd congressional district and later as United States Ambassador to India under President Barack Obama. Known for work on intelligence reform, education reform, and India–United States relations, he has also held roles with The Century Foundation, New America, and several academic institutions. Roemer's career spans local politics, national legislation, and international diplomacy.

Early life and education

Born in South Bend, Indiana, Roemer is the son of Mary and John Roemer (note: father not to be confused with economist John Roemer). He graduated from LaSalle High School in Michigan before attending the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a bachelor's degree and was involved in campus activities connected to Roman Catholicism and South Bend community organizations. He later pursued graduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles and participated in programs touching on public policy and international relations with contacts across institutions such as Harvard University, Georgetown University, and Yale University affiliates.

Early career and local politics

Roemer began his public life working in the offices of Lieutenant Governor of Indiana and for state-level officials including connections to Indiana state politics figures like Joe Kernan and Evan Bayh. He served on local boards and civic organizations associated with South Bend institutions, interacting with leaders from University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary's College (Indiana), and municipal officials. Roemer ran for and secured positions within county-level and regional bodies, collaborating with figures from St. Joseph County, Indiana and engaging with statewide networks tied to the Democratic Party leadership of Indiana Democratic Party members including Baron Hill and Brad Ellsworth.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1990, Roemer represented Indiana's 3rd congressional district from 1991 to 2003. In Congress he served on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, interacting with legislators such as Nancy Pelosi, Newt Gingrich, Tom DeLay, John Boehner, Steny Hoyer, and Dick Gephardt. Roemer co-sponsored and supported legislation alongside members including Richard Lugar, Evan Bayh, Joseph Biden, John McCain, Carl Levin, and Jack Murtha. He participated in high-profile congressional activities during the administrations of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and collaborative oversight with agencies like the Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Defense, National Security Council, and the 9/11 Commission stakeholders such as Tom Kean and Lee Hamilton.

Post-congressional career and diplomatic service

After leaving the House, Roemer engaged with think tanks and academic entities including The Century Foundation, New America, Brookings Institution, and University of California. He served as a senior fellow and advisor on projects with leaders like Susan Eisenhower, Fareed Zakaria, Joseph Nye, and Richard Haass. In 2009 President Barack Obama nominated him as United States Ambassador to India, succeeding David Mulford and working in concert with officials such as Hillary Clinton, Rahul Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Pratibha Patil, and Indian Ministry staff. As ambassador he addressed bilateral issues alongside counterparts from Ministry of External Affairs (India), engaged with corporate leaders from Tata Group, Reliance Industries, Google, and Microsoft, and coordinated with defense contacts including A. K. Antony and Pranab Mukherjee. Following his ambassadorship he held positions with non-profits and advisory boards, collaborating with organizations such as Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Council on Foreign Relations, United Service Organizations, and universities including University of Notre Dame and Georgetown University.

Political positions and legislative initiatives

Roemer championed legislation on intelligence reform, education initiatives like the No Child Left Behind Act debates, and privacy measures in coordination with commissions and colleagues including Lee Hamilton, Tom Kean, Eliot Engel, Pete Hoekstra, and Jane Harman. He advocated for strengthened India–United States relations and trade frameworks, working with negotiators involved in dialogues with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, President Barack Obama, and trade officials linked to U.S. Trade Representative offices. Roemer supported veterans' policies in tandem with lawmakers such as John Murtha and Daniel K. Inouye, and took positions on counterterrorism alongside figures from Central Intelligence Agency leadership and the Department of Homeland Security under secretaries like Michael Chertoff and Janet Napolitano. On economic and regional development he collaborated with members related to Midwestern policy such as Richard Lugar, Mike Pence, and Joe Donnelly.

Personal life and honors

Roemer is married to Ameya Roemer and is a father; his family life intersected with community institutions like University of Notre Dame alumni networks and faith organizations associated with Roman Catholicism. He has received honors from civic groups, universities, and international organizations, including recognitions tied to India–United States friendship awards, honorary degrees from regional colleges, and acknowledgments by policy bodies including The Century Foundation and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Roemer remains active in public discourse through media appearances on outlets like PBS, NPR, CNN, and contributions to publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Foreign Affairs.

Category:1956 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Indiana Category:Ambassadors of the United States to India