Tom Vilsack

Tom Vilsack
U.S. Department of Agriculture Tom Witham · Public domain · source
Name	Tom Vilsack
Office	United States Secretary of Agriculture
President	Joe Biden, Barack Obama
Term start	February 26, 2021
Predecessor	Sonny Perdue
Governor	Terry Branstad
Term start2	January 15, 1999
Term end2	January 12, 2007
Predecessor2	Terry Branstad
Successor2	Chet Culver

Tom Vilsack is an American politician who has served as the United States Secretary of Agriculture under Joe Biden and Barack Obama. He previously served as the Governor of Iowa from 1999 to 2007, and was a member of the Iowa Senate from 1993 to 1999, representing Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native Iowa's Fort Dodge, Iowa area. Vilsack has worked with various organizations, including the National Governors Association, Democratic Governors Association, and the United States Department of Agriculture. He has also been involved with the Iowa State Fair, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa.

● Early Life and Education

Tom Vilsack was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and later moved to Iowa with his family, where he attended Hudson High School (Iowa) in Hudson, Iowa. He then went on to study at Hamilton College (New York), Albany Law School, and University of Pittsburgh, earning degrees in Sociology and Law. Vilsack's early life and education were influenced by his family's involvement in Iowa politics, including his father's work with the Iowa Democratic Party and his mother's involvement with the League of Women Voters. He has also been involved with the American Bar Association, Iowa State Bar Association, and the National Association of Secretaries of State.

● Career

Vilsack's career in politics began when he was elected to the Iowa Senate in 1992, representing the 10th district (Iowa Senate). He served in the Iowa Senate until 1998, when he was elected as the Governor of Iowa. During his time in the Iowa Senate, Vilsack worked with other notable politicians, including Chuck Grassley, Tom Harkin, and Leonard Boswell. He has also been involved with the National Conference of State Legislatures, Council of State Governments, and the State Legislative Leaders Foundation.

● Secretary of Agriculture

As the United States Secretary of Agriculture, Vilsack has worked to promote American agriculture, including the production of corn, soybeans, and wheat. He has also been involved in efforts to improve food safety, including the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act, signed into law by Barack Obama in 2011. Vilsack has worked with other government agencies, including the United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the United States Department of Commerce. He has also collaborated with international organizations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Health Organization, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

● Governor of Iowa

As the Governor of Iowa, Vilsack focused on issues such as education, health care, and economic development. He worked to improve the state's education system, including the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act, signed into law by George W. Bush in 2002. Vilsack also worked to expand health care access, including the implementation of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which was signed into law by Bill Clinton in 1997. He has also been involved with the National Governors Association, Democratic Governors Association, and the Republican Governors Association.

● Personal Life

Vilsack is married to Christie Vilsack, a former United States House of Representatives candidate, and they have two sons, Jess Vilsack and Doug Vilsack. He is a member of the Catholic Church and has been involved in various charitable organizations, including the Catholic Charities USA, United Way, and the American Red Cross. Vilsack has also been recognized for his work, including receiving the National Association of Secretaries of State's Margaret Chase Smith American Democracy Award and the National Governors Association's Distinguished Service Award. He has also been involved with the Iowa Cubs, Des Moines Register, and the Quad City Times.