Leen van der Waal facts for kids
Leendert van der Waal (born September 23, 1928 – died September 10, 2020) was a Dutch engineer and politician. He was a member of the Reformed Political Party (SGP). He served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 1984 to 1997. Van der Waal was born in Ridderkerk, a town in South Holland, Netherlands. He passed away at the age of 91.
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Who Was Leendert van der Waal?
Leendert van der Waal was an important figure in Dutch politics. He started his career as an engineer before moving into public service. His journey from building things to helping lead a country shows how different skills can be used to make a difference.
What Does an Engineer Do?
An engineer is a person who designs, builds, or maintains engines, machines, or public works. They use science and math to solve problems and create new things. Leendert van der Waal studied engineering at the Delft University of Technology, a famous university in the Netherlands. This background likely helped him think logically and solve problems during his time as a politician.
Becoming a Politician
After his work as an engineer, Leendert van der Waal became a politician. A politician is someone who works in government, helping to make decisions for a city, region, or country. They represent the people and try to improve their lives through laws and policies.
Van der Waal was part of the Reformed Political Party (SGP). This party is a political group in the Netherlands that bases its ideas on Christian beliefs. People join political parties because they share similar ideas about how society should be run.
Serving in the European Parliament
One of Leendert van der Waal's most important roles was serving as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). He was an MEP for 13 years, from 1984 to 1997.
The European Parliament is like a big meeting place for politicians from many different countries in Europe. These politicians, called MEPs, work together to make laws and decisions that affect millions of people across Europe. They discuss important topics like trade, the environment, and human rights. Being an MEP means you help shape the future of a whole continent!
His Later Years
After his time in the European Parliament, Leendert van der Waal continued to be an respected figure. He lived a long life, passing away on September 10, 2020, just before his 92nd birthday. His life showed a dedication to both technical work and public service.
