Tom Ridge

HARRISBURG -- President Bush announced in an address to a joint session of Congress Thursday, September 20 that Gov. Tom Ridge will serve as the president's new anti-terrorism czar, a newly created cabinet-level position. Ridge was sworn in Monday, October 8.

Ridge has a long history of service both in the military and in government.

Ridge was born in a Pittsburgh suburb in 1945 and moved to Erie when he was 3 years old. He earned a scholarship to Harvard University and graduated with a degree in government studies in 1967.

Ridge was drafted into the army after his first year at Dickinson Law School in Carlisle, Pa. He served as an infantry staff sergeant in Vietnam between 1969 and 1970 and was awarded the bronze star and other medals for his bravery.

Ridge eventually became an assistant district attorney in Erie County and was elected to Congress in 1982. In 1995, Ridge was sworn in as Pennsylvania's 43rd governor.

At one point during the latest presidential campaign, Ridge was on Bush's short list as a potential running mate. He had also been mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate four years earlier, when Bob Dole was on the ballot.

Ridge frequently wears a hearing aid in his left ear to correct problems that started in childhood and worsened in Vietnam.

He and his wife, Michele have two adopted children.

Copyright 2001 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.