Pat Cox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pat Cox
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Official portrait, 2002
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| President of the European Parliament | |
| In office 15 January 2002 – 20 July 2004 |
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| Vice President | Gérard Onesta |
| Preceded by | Nicole Fontaine |
| Succeeded by | Josep Borrell |
| Leader of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party Group | |
| In office 1 June 1998 – 15 January 2002 |
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| Preceded by | Gijs de Vries |
| Succeeded by | Graham Watson |
| Member of the European Parliament | |
| In office 25 July 1989 – 20 July 2004 |
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| Constituency | Munster |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office November 1992 – June 1994 |
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| Constituency | Cork South-Central |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Patrick Cox
28 November 1952 Dublin, Ireland |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
| Other political affiliations |
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| Spouse |
Cathy Cox
(m. 1987) |
| Children | 6 |
| Education | Ardscoil Rís |
| Alma mater |
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Patrick Cox (born 28 November 1952) is an Irish former politician and journalist. He served as the President of the European Parliament from 2002 to 2004. Before that, he led a major political group in the European Parliament. He was also a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Munster area from 1989 to 2004. In Ireland, he was a Teachta Dála (TD) for Cork South-Central from 1992 to 1994.
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Early Life and Education
Patrick Cox was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1952. He grew up in Limerick. He went to school at Ardscoil Rís in Limerick. Later, he studied at the University of Limerick and Trinity College Dublin. He is married to Cathy, and they have six children.
Career in Journalism
Before becoming a politician, Patrick Cox was a well-known journalist. He worked as a presenter for RTÉ's Today Tonight. This was a popular TV show in Ireland during the 1980s that discussed current events. He left this job to start his political career.
Political Journey
Starting in Irish Politics
Patrick Cox first ran for local elections in 1979. He later became a TD (a member of the Irish Parliament) for Cork South-Central in 1992. He was part of the Progressive Democrats party at that time.
Serving in the European Parliament
In 1989, Cox was elected as a MEP for the Munster area. An MEP represents their country in the European Parliament, which helps make laws for the European Union.
He left his original party in 1994 and ran as an independent candidate. He won his MEP seat again. From 1998 to 2002, he became the leader of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR) group in the European Parliament. This was a big achievement, as he was the first Irish person to lead such a group.
President of the European Parliament
In 2002, Patrick Cox was chosen to be the President of the European Parliament. This is a very important role, like being the speaker of a parliament. He was the first Irish person to hold this position. He served as President until 2004. During his time as President, he worked on important issues for the European Union. He did not run for re-election in 2004.
Work After Politics
After leaving the European Parliament, Patrick Cox continued to be involved in European affairs.
- He became the President of European Movement, a group that supports cooperation in Europe.
- He also helped start the European Privacy Association in 2009.
- He supported the Spinelli Group, which aims to bring the countries of the European Union closer together.
- Between 2012 and 2014, he led a special mission in Ukraine for the European Parliament. This mission watched over certain legal cases in the country.
Other Activities and Roles
Patrick Cox has also served on the boards of several organizations and companies. These include:
- European Investment Bank (EIB), which provides loans for projects in Europe.
- KPMG, a large company that offers business services.
- Michelin, a well-known tire company.
- Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe, which promotes European integration.
Awards and Recognition
Patrick Cox has received several important awards for his work.
- In 2004, he was given the Charlemagne Prize. This award is given to people who have done a lot to help European unity. He received it for his efforts in expanding the European Union and making it more democratic.
- He has also received high honors from countries like Romania and Italy.
