Tom Ridge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tom Ridge
1st United States Secretary of Homeland Security
In office January 24, 2003 – February 1, 2005
President	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Michael Chertoff
1st United States Homeland Security Advisor
In office September 20, 2001 – January 24, 2003
President	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	John Gordon
43rd Governor of Pennsylvania
In office January 17, 1995 – October 5, 2001
Lieutenant	Mark Schweiker
Preceded by	Robert Casey
Succeeded by	Mark Schweiker
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 21st district
In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1995
Preceded by	Donald Bailey
Succeeded by	Phil English
Personal details
Born	Thomas Joseph Ridge (1945-08-26) August 26, 1945 Munhall, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Michele Ridge
Children	2
Education	Harvard University (BA) Dickinson School of Law (JD)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Rank	Staff sergeant
Unit	23rd Infantry Division
Battles/wars	Vietnam War
Awards	Bronze Star National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal Vietnam Gallantry Cross Combat Infantryman Badge

Thomas Joseph "Tom" Ridge (born August 26, 1945) is an American politician.

Ridge served as the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security from 2001 to 2003, and the first United States Secretary of Homeland Security from 2003 to 2005.

Ridge was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 1995 and the 43rd Governor of Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Images for kids

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  Ridge with President George H. W. Bush and United States Senator John McCain in 1990

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  Ridge with Kirstjen Nielsen, John Kelly, and Michael Chertoff in 2018