Jim Gerlach (R-PA-6)

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Jim Gerlach Congressman Pennsylvania District 6

House links: Jim Gerlach (R-PA-6)i

Campaign links: Jim Gerlach (R-PA-6)i

Jim Gerlach Congressional Candidate Pennsylvania District 6

Jim Gerlach Biography from House.gov

Electoral History

1990 -Elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
1992 – Re-elected to Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
1994 – Elected to Pennsylvania State Senate.
1998 – Re-elected to Pennsylvania State Senate.
2000 – Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, PA.
2002 – Elected to U. S. House of Representatives.
2004 – Delegate to Republication National Convention in New York City.
2004 – Re-elected to U. S. House of Representatives.
2006 – Re-elected to U. S. House of Representatives.
2008 – Delegate to Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
2008 – Re-elected to U. S. House of Representatives.
2010 — Re-elected to U.S. House of Representatives.

Federal Legislative Accomplishments

Environment

Prime sponsor of the National Estuary Program reauthorization (HR 4731) that continues this program for 5 years, at $35 million, to promote protection and preservation of estuary habitat, wildlife and aquatic life. This legislation was signed into law by President Bush on October 30, 2004.
Prime sponsor of HR 5313 that would establish, within the Federal Farmland Protection Program, a local challenge grant initiative to incentivize local municipalities to set up open space and farmland preservation programs. The bill passed the House unanimously on September 26, 2006.

Financial Services

Prime sponsor of HR 749 to provide underserved individuals better access to federal credit union services. The bill passed the House unanimously on April 26, 2005.

Medicare Reform

Led efforts to protect state prescription assistance programs, like Pa’s PACE/PACENET, as part of historic Medicare reform legislation enacted in 2003 to provide the federal Part D prescription drug benefit to seniors. As a result of this effort, PACE/PACENET will continue to operate to benefit over 200,000 PA seniors while saving the state approximately $100-200 million annually.

Trade

Prime sponsor of HR 1053 to permanently lift Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions against Ukraine inorder to establish normal trade relation status between that country and the United States. The legislation was signed into law by President Bush on March 23, 2006.

Veterans

Prime sponsor of HR 1516 to require the establishment of a national veterans cemetery in Southeastern Pennsylvania within 4 years. This legislation was signed into law by President Bush on 11/11/03.

Legislative Assignments – 112th Congress

Member — Ways and Means Committee
Member — Ways and Means Committee’s Subcommittee on Health
Member — Ways and Means Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight

Legislative Assignments – 111th Congress

Member – Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Member – Financial Services Committee
Co-chairman – House Land Conservation Caucus
Co-chairman – House Ukraine Caucus

Legislative Assignments – 110th Congress

Member – Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Member – Financial Services Committee
Co-Chairman – House Land Conservation Caucus

Legislative Assignments – 109th Congress

Member – Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Member – Financial Services Committee
Member – The Saving America’s Cities Working Group
Co-Chairman & Founder – House Land Trust Caucus

Legislative Assignments – 108th Congress

Member – Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Member – Small Business Committee
Member – Speaker’s Task Force on Medicare Reform

State Legislative Accomplishments

Consumer Protection

Prime sponsor of Act 74 of 1996 to protect mobile homeowners from unreasonable and unfair eviction by mobile home park owners.

Criminal Justice

Prime sponsor of Act 6 of 1995 to combat the rise of juvenile crime in the Commonwealth by expanding the use of fingerprinting and photographing of juvenile offenders charged with misdemeanors and felony offenses.

Prime sponsor of Act 22 of 1995 to permit a family member of a murder victim to testify at the sentencing hearing of the convicted murderer as to the impact of the murder on the victim’s family.

Prime sponsor of provisions to Act 157 of 1998 to establish a felony offense for the use of communication devices (beepers, cell phone, pages, etc.) during illicit drug trafficking activities.

Prime sponsor of Act 52 of 2002 to authorize the use of audio recording by police officers during traffic stops.

Government Efficiency

1994 — Appointed by Senate Majority Leader to the Pennsylvania IMPACCT Commission, which was established to review and study ways to make state government operations and services more productive.
1995 – Named vice-chairman of the Pennsylvania PRIME Council by Governor Tom Ridge to oversee implementation of IMPACCT Commission recommendations in the Ridge Administration and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
1997-98 -Led efforts to pass five IMPACCT initiatives (Acts 9, 15, 22, 53, & 57 of 1998) that saved taxpayers approximately $500 million over 5 years.

Health Care

Prime sponsor of Chapter 11 of PA’s historic 2001 tobacco settlement legislation (HB 2). This Chapter established the Hospital Uncompensated Care Program and Extraordinary Expense Program to allocate $40 million in reimbursements annually to PA hospitals for the uncompensated and charitable care they provide.
Prime sponsor of frivolous lawsuit legislation (SB 406) that prompted the PA Supreme Court to amend the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure (Rule 1023.1) to allow for assessment of attorney fees and costs against parties filing frivolous suits or motions.

Interscholastic Athletics

2000-2002 – Jim chaired the Pa. Interscholastic Athletic Association Council formed pursuant to Senate Resolution 127 to reform the operations of the PIAA and improve the administration of high school athletic competition.

Land Use & Growth Management

Prime sponsor of historic land use reform legislation (Act 68 of 2000) to provide “smart growth” planning and zoning tools to municipalities to address sprawl development.

Local Tax Reform

1997 – Organized and coordinated the Help for Homeowners Coalition, a state-wide coalition of local government, taxpayer, senior citizen, agriculture and environmental organizations established to promote and advocate passage of the constitutional amendment ballot question to permit implementation of a homestead exemption for residential properties in local taxing jurisdictions. In November, 1997, Pennsylvanians passed the homestead ballot question by a 61-39% margin.

Welfare Reform

Prime sponsor of Act 35 of 1996, the state’s highly-touted welfare reform law, which has helped reduce the state’s welfare rolls by nearly 200,000 and requires able-bodied welfare recipients to undertake necessary education and employment search activities and public service in exchange for public assistance.

Constituent Projects

1993 – Helped Downingtown Water Authority secure $4 million from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority for reconstruction of the Authority’s water plant in the Borough of Downingtown.
1993 – Helped secure $2 million from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for the installation of safety median barriers to prevent cross-over accidents along the heavily-travelled Route 30 by-pass in central Chester County.
1993 – Established a Pennsylvania youth apprenticeship program in Chester County by linking employers interested in establishing four-year apprenticeship programs with students from the Centers for Arts and Technology at the Brandywine & Pickering Campuses.
1994 – Initiated contact with the Delaware County Community College to establish a branch center in Chester County at the former Downingtown Industrial and Agricultural school property in East Brandywine Township.
1996 – Initiated efforts to establish the Jefferson Citizenship Initiative in public school districts in Chester County. The Initiative provided enhanced civic education in five local public schools through advanced distance-learning technology.
1998 – Established, in cooperation with the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, a volunteer mentor program to help newly-employed welfare recipients make the transition from welfare dependency to self-sufficiency.
1999 – Spearheaded legislative effort to acquire a $3 million state grant to provide fiberoptic technology to all Chester County school districts to facilitate enhanced distance-learning services and cost savings to the Chester County Intermediate Unit and member districts.
2000 – Spearheaded legislative effort to acquire a $850,000 grant to support the Foundry Building restoration project in Phoenixville Borough as part of its Phoenix Steel site revitalization effort.
2001 – Helped secure $300,000 grant from DCED to undertake the French Creek Manor senior citizen housing project in Phoenixville.
Helped secure $250,000 state grant to the Valley Forge National Park for restoration of historic buildings.
2002 – Helped secure $2 million in state funding for preliminary design and engineering for the Schuylkill Valley Metro commuter rail project.
2002 – Helped secure a $300,000 in state funding for a Pottstown area cancer incidence study.
2002 – Helped secure a $500,000 DCED grant for renovation of the First Fidelity Bank building in Pottstown.

2003 – Helped secure federal funding in FY ’03 appropriations bills for following district projects:

$9 million for Schuylkill Valley Metro.- $1 million for Buses and Bus Facilities in Berks County.
$1 million for Norristown Transportation Center improvements.
$700,000 for Rodale Institute Farm wastewater research.
$300,000 for National Night Out Program.

2004 – Helped secure federal funding in FY ’04 appropriations bills for following district projects:

$14 million for Schuylkill Valley Metro.
$7.5 million for other PA06 transportation projects.
$500,000 for US30 BypassPA10 to US30 Business (PennDOT)
$750,000 for Lafayette Street Extension/PA Turnpike (MontCo)
$3 million for Norristown Intermodal (Southeast PA Transit Authority)
$500,000 for PA222 Kutztown Bypass (PennDOT)
$2.6 million for Bus Replacement (BARTA)
$200,000 for French Creek Parkway
$2.5 million for Bally Ribbon Mills.
$500,000 for Harcum College laboratory equipment.
$300,000 for National Night Out.
$270,000 for weed management research at Rodale Institute
$225,000 for Phoenixville Foundry building.
$200,000 for Downingtown wastewater system improvements.
$200,000 for St. Joseph Medical Center redevelopment study.
$200,000 for Valley Forge National Park restoration.
$100,000 for Elmwood Park Zoo conservation center.
$50,000 for Downingtown United Sports Foundation.

2005 – Helped secure federal funding in FY’05 appropriations bills for following district projects:

$10 million for SEPTA Schuylkill Valley Metro.
$6 million for SEPTA – Ardmore Transit Center.
$2 million for BARTA Facility construction.
$1.5 million for Valley Forge National Historic Park.
$300,000 for Save the Speaker’s House historic preservation project.
$300,000 for National Night Out program.
$300,000 for Reading geographical information system project.
$250,000 for Montgomery County Community College.
$200,000 for Harcum College Healthcare Initiative for the Aging.
$100,000 for Immaculata University.
$100,000 for Freedom’s Foundation at Valley Forge – Free Enterprise Institute.
$100,000 for Rodale Institute
$ 46,000 for Rodale Institute – Farming systems trial project.

2005 – Secured federal funding authorization for the following transportation projects in the highway authorization bill:

$9.5 million for Lafayette Street Extension
$5 million for French Creek Parkway
$4 million for PA100 Blackhorse Road
$2.6 million for PA10 New Morgan
$2.4 million for I176 Reconstruction
$2.3 million for PA222 Kutztown Bypass
$1.3 million for King of Prussia Road/Upper Gulph Road
$1.28 million for Blair Creek Bridge
$1.9 million for PA422622
$1.2 million for River Road Extension
$836,000 for Paoli Transit Center
$800,000 for Plank/Ott/Myers/Seitz
$800,000 for PA422 – Berkshire
$484,000 for US 322/PA10

2006 – Helped secure federal funding in FY’06 appropriations bills for the following projects:

$4 million for Schuylkill Valley Metro
$2 million for SEPTA – Paoli Transportation Center
$1 million for Coatesville Train Station
$1.8 million for BARTA – Franklin Street Station, locater system and bus replacement
$250,000 for Cabrini College at Norristown
$200,000 for Pine Forge Academy – Student Center
$200,000 for Berks County Community Foundation.

2007 – Helped secure federal funding in FY’08 appropriations bill for the following:

$1,250,000BARTA, Franklin Street Station Intermodel, Reading, PA
$800,000St. Joseph University Science Center – equipment
$611,000City of Reading Police Department – Security Cameras
$500,000Johnson Matthey – Lightweight Power Supply Development
$ 500,000Borough of Downingtown, Bridge Over Brandywine Creek, Downingtown, PA
$470,000Upstart Productions – All Kids Count
$438,000 Mercy Suburban Hospital, Norristown, PA
$376,000Chester County Police – Police Video Cameras
$350,000Albright College Science Facilities
$292,000 Harcum College, Bryn Mawr, PA – purchase of equipment
$282,000Delaware County Community College – Small Business Center
$264,000Rodale Institute, Weed Management Research
$243,000West Chester University, West Chester, PA – nursing program development
$235,000Chester County DA’s Office – incident response management technology
$195,000Reading School of Nursing, Reading
$123,000College Consortium, SE PA Consortium for Higher Education
$100,000Montgomery County Community College – expansion of West Campus
$87,000Alvernia College, Reading, PA – nursing education program
$87,000Chester County Hospital, West Chester, PA construction project
$70,500 St. Joseph University – Violence Prevention & Response Training
$45,000 Rodale Institute, carbon sequestration research

2008 — Created the Chester County Trauma Center Task Force to explore re-establishment of a trauma center in the County.

2008 — Created the Chester County Pipeline Task Force to coordinate community information and participation in natural gas pipeline approval process before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

2009 – helped secure federal funding in FY’09 appropriations bill for the following:

$712,500 – Downingtown Borough for a bridge over Brandywine Creek
$600,000– Alvernia College for the South Reading Youth Initiative
$570,900– Alvernia College for Scientific Instrumentation Initiatives
$500,000– City of Reading for Reading Waste Water Treatment Plant
$475,000– Borough of Boyertown for Main Street streetscape improvements
$428,000– Chester County Hospital for facilities and equipment
$380,000– Albright College for science instrumentation and three research labs
$300,000– Delaware County Community Collegefor a small business solutions center
$258,000– American Library Association for the All Kids Count program
$250,000– Exeter Police Department funding for emergency response team
$238,000– Central Pennsylvania African American Museum –exhibits for Underground Railroad
$237,000– Montgomery County Community College – continued expansion of their West Campus
$214,000– Pocopson Township Historical Committee for Locust Grove Schoolhouse
$200,000– Berks County Community Foundation – for the Reading Police K9 unit
$190,000– Chester County Historical Societyfor a community historical education Initiative
$147,000– Phoenixville Community Education Foundation –for remedial after school math and reading
$143,000– ILEAD for College Without Walls
$142,500– Valley Forge Park National historical Park for bridge over Valley Creek for Loop Trail
$142,500– Historic Yellow Springsfor parking and street enhancements
$ 92,000– Police Athletic League of Norristown for PAL youth programs
$ 42,000 – The Rodale Institute for Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi research

2009- Helped secure federal funding in FY’10 omnibus appropriations bill for:

$3,200,000– Rajant – Portable Mobile Emergency Broadband Systems project w/Sestak, Casey,Specter.
$3,200,000– AGICOTS technology for space command and control project w/Specter.
$2,400,000– Bally Ribbon Mills – 3D bias woven perform development w/Schwartz,Sestak, Specter.
$1,000,000– Morphotek – Potent Human Monoclonal Antibodies Against BoNT A,B and E project for mass production and treatment of large populations.
$1,000,000– The Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA to develop ultra fast power processor for Smart Grid. Silicon Power located in Malvern, PA is a partner to this project.
$500,000 Borough of Downingtown, Downingtown, PA to build Boot Road Bridge over the Brandywine Creek, which will provide access to Chester County’s Keystone Opportunity Zone.
$500,000– City of Reading Wastewater Treatment Plant, Reading, PA for upgrades to address environmental issues as required by the Department of Justice-consent decree.
$470,000– Alvernia University, Reading, PA to form a partnership with the Reading Police
Academy and create a hightech laboratory, which will be used by the Academy to train police officers and criminal justice students in investigation techniques for white collar, internet and cyber crime.
$350,000– Downingtown Library & Downingtown Area Senior Center joint building campaign, Downingtown, PA.
$350,000– Berks County Emergency Response Team, Exeter Township, PA to buy armored vehicle and other equipment for Berks County Emergency Response Team.
$349,000– Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA for crop rotation research to improve air, soil and water quality.
$250,000– Berks AreaTransportation Authorityfor the design, engineering and construction required to rehabilitate, restore and develop the historic Franklin Street Station.
$250,000– Borough of Phoenixville, Phoenixville, PA for the new sidewalks, lights, and pavers.
$250,000– Riverplace Development Corporation, Reading, PA for the Penn Corridor redevelopment project in Reading, West Reading and Wyomissing.
$243,000– Harcum College, Bryn Mawr, PA to provide mentoring and training to science teachers and expand the health sciences at Harcum.
$200,000– Neuman College, Aston, PA for pharmacy education and workforce development in Aston and Phoenixville.
$200,000– St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA to support and develop an interdisciplinary approach to dealing with crisis violence and a stateoftheart strategy for violence prevention in the communities of Pennsylvania.
$157,000– Phoenixville Public Library, Phoenixville, PA to update the library’s collection.
$150,000– West Chester University, West Chester, PA to create the Entrepreneurial Leadership Center to provide expertise and development services to startup Small businesses.
$100,000– Devereux Center for Effective Schools, King of Prussia, PA for schoolwide positive behavior support for atrisk youth in Reading School District.
$100,000– Cabrini College, Radnor, PA to assist school personnel to provide support to students affected by domestic abuse.
$ 90,000– Spring Township Police, Reading, PA for video cameras for each of the department’s patrol vehicles.
$ 90,000– Police Athletic League of Norristown, Norristown, PA to support the continued delivery of programs to youth ages 518 through the Norristown PAL Center.

Honors/Awards

1992 – Pennsylvania Planning Association – For his work on the House Select Use and Growth Management Committee, the Pennsylvania Planning Association honored Jim with special recognition at its 1992 annual conference.
1993 & 1996 – National Federation of Independent Businesses – Jim was named a “Guardian of Small Business” by the NFIB for his work in protecting and preserving the future of free enterprise in small business in the Commonwealth during the past two legislative sessions.
1995 – Green Valleys Association Environmental Award – In recognition of Jim’s record in preserving and protecting the Commonwealth’s environment, the Association presented him with this Award.
1996 – Pennsylvania Manufactured Home Owners Association – Jim was awarded the Association’s Certificate of Appreciation for introduction and passage of SB 1191 (Act 74 of 1996).
1997 – Citizens Against Higher Taxes – Jim was named a “Taxpayer Hero” for his pro-taxpayer voting record in the 1995-96 legislative session.
1998 – PA Farm Bureau – Political Action Committee – Jim was named a “Friend of Agriculture”for his outstanding pro-farmer voting record.
1998 – PA Municipal Authority Association – Jim received the Association’s Distinguished Service Award for his legislative support on issues of concern to PMAA
1998 -Citizens Against Higher Taxes – Jim was again named a “Taxpayer Hero” for having the best pro-taxpayer voting record of all 253 state legislators during the 1997-1998 legislative session.
1998 – PA District Attorneys Association – Jim received a Certificate of Recognition for his consistent support of major law enforcement, criminal justice, and victims rights legislation.
1998 – Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry – Jim received 1998 Watch Dog Award for his pro-jobs voting record.
1999 -Tri-County Chamber of Commerce – Jim received the Chamber’s Legislator of the Year Award for his pro-business voting record.
2001 – Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy – Jim received its Land Use Award for his work in securing landmark land use reform legislation – Act 67 & 68 of 2000.
2002 – Delaware Valley Planning Commission – Jim was selected as Regional Elected Official of the Year for his work on land use and water resource management legislation.
2002 – Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association – Jim was awarded its Public Sector Award for his efforts to foster regional cooperation on transportation and other area issues.
2003 – Chester Co. Chamber of Business & Industry – Jim received the Chamber’s “Spirit of Free Enterprise” Award.
2003- PA Recreation & Park Society – The Society awarded Jim its Local Government Award for his efforts in assisting local municipalities preserve open space while a state legislator in the PA Legislature.
2004 – Harcum College – Jim was granted an honorary Doctor of Law degree by Harcum for his 13 years of public service as a state and federal legislator.
2004 – Americans for Tax Reform – ATR awarded Jim its “Taxpayer Hero” award for his pro-taxpayer voting record.
2004 – Small Business Survival Committee – SBSC recognized Jim for his pro-jobs voting record.
2004 – U.S. Oncology – This network of 470 community-based oncology practices and cancer centers awarded Jim its Medal of Honor award for his work to preserve cancer patient access to community-based care.
2005 – National Association of Manufacturers – NAM awarded Jim its Legislative Excellence Award for his pro-manufacturer and pro-jobs voting record in the 108th Congress.
2005 -Voice Foundation – Presented Jim with its VERA Award of Achievement for his contributions to medical research and the medical community generally.
2005 -The ARC of Montgomery County – Presented Jim with the Vincent J. Fitzpatrick Humanitarian Award for his contributions toward the betterment of life for people with disabilities.
2005 – U. S. Chamber of Commerce – Awarded Jim its Spirit of Free Enterprise award for his pro-business voting record during the second session of the 108th Congress.
2005 – Natural Lands Trust – Awarded Jim the Highlands Coalition award for his efforts to enact Highlands Conservation Act to preserve and protect the Highlands ecosystem from Pennsylvania to Connecticut.
2005 – National Psoriasis Foundation – Presented Jim with its Congressional Champion Award in recognition of his efforts to advance a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
2006 – American Health Care Association – Awarded Jim its Leading Light of Long-Term Care Award for his work to support policies and funding to maintain high-quality long-term care Services for the elderly.
2006 – Humane Society of the United States – Awarded Jim its Legislative Leader Award for his pro-animal rights voting record in 2005.
2006 – National Association of Community Health Centers – Awarded Jim its Distinguished Community Health Superhero Award for his efforts in 2005 to support America’s community health centers and the 15 million uninsured and medically under-served to whom they provide health care services.
2006 – U. S. Chamber of Commerce – Presented Jim with its Spirit of Free Enterprise award for his pro-business voting record during the first session of the 109th Congress.
2006 – Transportation Management Association of Chester County – Named Jim “Transportation Executive of the Year” for his leadership in regional transportation
infrastructure and service issues.
2006 – American Farm Bureau Federation – Named Jim a “Friend of Farm Bureau” for his pro-farmer voting record in the 109th Congress.
2006 – National Manufacturers Association – Presented Jim with its Legislator Leader award for his pro-manufacturer voting record in the 109th Congress.
2006 – Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council – Named Jim its “Small Business Champion” in the 109th Congress
2007 – Humane Society of the United States – Awarded Jim its Legislative Leader recognition for his pro-animal rights voting record in 2006.
2007 – PA. Legal Aid Network – Presented Jim with its Excellence Award for his “outstanding commitment to equal justice for those who have no where else to turn.”
2007 – Tri-County Chamber of Commerce – Awarded Jim its Regional Planning Award for his efforts to preserve the environmental quality of life in the Pottstown area and Montgomery County.
2008 – National Association of Community Health Centers – Presented Jim its“Distinguished Community Health Superhero” Award for efforts to preserve, strengthen and expand access our nation’s health centers.
2008 – U. S. Chamber of Commerce- Awarded Jim its Spirit of Enterprise Award for the 1st Session of the 110th Congress.
2008 – National Breast Cancer Coalition – Awarded Jim its Certificate of Excellence for a perfect voting record during 1st Session of 110th Congress.
2008 – Land Trust Alliance – Awarded Jim special recognition for his “leadership in renewing the enhanced tax incentive for donations of conservation easements.”
2008 – Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation — Awarded Jim its “ACE Award” for his action, commitment and effort in supporting important breast cancer research, prevention and treatment funding legislation.
2008 – The Speaker’s House – Awarded Jim its first “Speaker’s Choice Award” for his leadership and commitment to the preservation and redevelopment of the historic home of Frederick Muhlenberg, the first Speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives.
2009 – Named “Legislator of the Year” by the Exton Region Chamber of Commerce for his dedicated service to the Chester County business community.
2009 – Named “Federal Legislator of the Year” by the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Association for outstanding leadership to the bioscience industry in Pennsylvania.
2009 – Chester County EMS Council – Awarded Jim its “Robert Thompson Memorial Award” for significant contributions to the planning, funding and improvement of the Chester County emergency medical services system.
2009 – Honored during Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry’s “Salute to Leadership” for his pro-business record of accomplishments.
2010 – U. S. Chamber of Commerce – Awarded Jim its Spirit of Free Enterprise recognition for his pro-business record during the 1st Session of the 111th Congress.
2010 – Association for Commuter Transportation – Presented Jim with its Leadership Award for his dedication and service to reduce traffic congestion and provide options to commuters.
2010 – National Association of Community Health Centers – Presented Jim with its “SuperHero” Award for his efforts to preserve and expand access of community health centers during the 111th Congress.

Community Involvement

Jim serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Brandywine Health Foundation. He previously served on the Board of Directors of MECA (Mission for Educating Children with Autism), the Board of Trustees of Dickinson College, the Chester County Agricultural Development Council, the West Brandywine Township Zoning Hearing Board, and the Board of Directors of the Brandywine Hospital.

Personal

Born and raised in Ellwood City, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.
1973 – Graduated from Lincoln High School, Ellwood City.
1977 – Graduated cum laude from Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania with a bachelor of arts degree in political science.
1980 – Graduated from the Dickinson School of Law with a juris doctor degree.
Family: Married to Karen and has 3 children and 3 step-children.
Resides in Chester Springs, Chester County.

Biography of Jim Gerlach from Jim Gerlach for Congress Committee

A lifelong Pennsylvaniaresident, Jim Gerlach has established himself as an effective advocate for Pennsylvaniataxpayers, an honest voice in public policy discussions and is consistently rated by the non-partisan National Journal as one of the most independent Republicans inWashington.

Jim grew up in a small Pennsylvaniasteel town just north of Pittsburgh. At the age of five, his father was tragically killed in a car accident, leaving behind Jim, his mother and two sisters. Together, with the love and support of his family, Jim learned how a community can rally behind others and help those in need. Thanks to his mom’s hard work, financial aid and a part-time job, Jim attended and graduated from DickinsonCollegeand Dickinson School of Law.

Jim entered public service in 1990 because he believes in a hand-up, not a hand-out, and is an outspoken and caring champion for change, commonsense and fiscal conservatism. He served southeasternPennsylvania in the state House of Representatives and state Senate before being elected to Congress in 2002.

In Congress, Jim has continued his hard work for the residents of the 6th Congressional District of Pennsylvania. His priorities include making tax cuts permanent which save Pennsylvaniataxpayers on average over $2,000 per year, increasing access to affordable healthcare, improving our regional transportation infrastructure, protecting open space and breaking our dependence on foreign oil.

In addition, Jim sponsored the legislation establishing a new national veterans’ cemetery in Southeastern Pennsylvania, founded the bi-partisan Land Conservation Caucus in Congress and proudly supported passage of Medicare’s prescription drug benefit for seniors – a plan that took effect in January, 2006 and provides millions of seniors’ access to affordable prescription medications. He has also worked to end the political rhetoric and bring about real bi-partisan consensus on how we as a nation stabilize and withdraw from Iraq.

As a state legislator, Jim’s leadership efforts in streamlining government bureaucracy and cutting waste saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. He was the prime sponsor of landmark welfare reform legislation that reduced Pennsylvania’s welfare rolls by nearly 200,000, and Jim’s historic land use legislation provided local officials the tools needed to combat suburban sprawl and promote smart growth.

Jim is married to Karen and has three children and three stepchildren. Together they make their home in Chester Springs, ChesterCounty.