Blue Water Navy

FILNER, Bob, a Representative from California; born in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pa., September 4, 1942; B.A., Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., 1963; M.A., University of Delaware, Newark, Del., 1969; Ph.D., Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., 1973; faculty, San Diego State University, San Diego, Calif., 1970-1992; staff, United States Senator Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota, 1975; staff, United States Representative Donald M. Fraser of Minnesota, 1976; member, San Diego, Calif., school board, 1979-1983, president, 1982; staff, United States Representative Jim Bates of California, 1984; member of the San Diego, Calif., city council, 1987-1992; deputy mayor of San Diego, Calif., 1990; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Third and to the eight succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1993-present); chair, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (One Hundred Tenth and One Hundred Eleventh Congresses).

Putting People First

Bob Filner is deeply committed to the battle for justice and equality. In 1961, Bob spent several months in a southern jail as a "Freedom Rider" in the Civil Rights movement. Bob is a fearless fighter and always insists that the needs of the people must come first.

A Unique Background in Science and History

Ever since he was a young boy, Bob has been interested in science and the way in which scientific advancements change society. Bob is one of only a tiny handful of Members of Congress with a scientific degree and one of only 18 members in the House holding a Ph.D.
But Bob Filner has never been an isolated, ivory-tower academic. He has always believed that what a person does is more important than what they say.
During his twenty year tenure as a Professor of History at San Diego State University, Bob challenged his students to do more than think lofty thoughts. He taught them that ideas don’t mean anything unless they are put into action to help people and make the world a better place. It's a lesson he continues to demonstrate in the U.S. Congress.

Justice for Veterans

One of Bob Filner's early appointments upon arriving in Washington was a seat on the House of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. In that role, Bob has been a tireless fighter for veterans, winning the praise of thousands of individual veterans and high accolades from national veterans' organizations. Early in the 110th Congress, Bob's colleagues elected him Chairman of this committee.
Bob is fighting to call attention to health problems affecting veterans who served in Vietnam and the Gulf War.

Organizational Memberships:
Sierra Club
Common Cause
Navy League
Gray Panthers
Economic Conversion Council
ADL
American Civil Liberties Union
MAPA
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
NWPC

After reading this, I must say it does not do the man justice, for you have to hear him speak and have an opportunity to talk with him.