Tom Udall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tom Udall
|
|
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2021
|
|
| United States Ambassador to Samoa | |
| In office February 17, 2022 – January 14, 2025 |
|
| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Scott Brown |
| Succeeded by | David Gehrenbeck (Chargé d'affaires) |
| United States Ambassador to New Zealand | |
| In office December 2, 2021 – January 14, 2025 |
|
| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Scott Brown |
| Succeeded by | David Gehrenbeck (Chargé d'affaires) |
| United States Senator from New Mexico |
|
| In office January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2021 |
|
| Preceded by | Pete Domenici |
| Succeeded by | Ben Ray Luján |
| Vice Chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2017 – January 3, 2021 |
|
| Preceded by | Jon Tester |
| Succeeded by | Lisa Murkowski |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Mexico's 3rd district |
|
| In office January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2009 |
|
| Preceded by | Bill Redmond |
| Succeeded by | Ben Ray Luján |
| 28th Attorney General of New Mexico | |
| In office January 1, 1991 – January 1, 1999 |
|
| Governor | Bruce King Gary Johnson |
| Preceded by | Hal Stratton |
| Succeeded by | Patricia A. Madrid |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Thomas Stewart Udall
May 18, 1948 Tucson, Arizona, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jill Cooper |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | See Udall family |
| Education | Prescott College (BA) Downing College, Cambridge (LLB) University of New Mexico (JD) |
| Signature |  |
Thomas Stewart Udall (born May 18, 1948) is an American diplomat and politician. He served as the United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. Before that, he was a U.S. Senator for New Mexico from 2009 to 2021.
Udall also served in the U.S. House of Representatives for New Mexico from 1999 to 2009. He was the Attorney General for New Mexico from 1991 to 1999. He comes from a family of politicians, the Udall family. His father, Stewart Udall, was a U.S. Representative and Secretary of the Interior. His uncle, Mo Udall, was also a U.S. Representative. His cousin, Mark Udall, was a U.S. Senator for Colorado at the same time he was a Senator.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Tom Udall was born in Tucson, Arizona. His mother was Ermalee Lenora Webb, and his father was Stewart Udall. Stewart Udall was the Secretary of the Interior from 1961 to 1969.
Tom Udall went to Prescott College for his first degree. He then studied law at the University of Cambridge in England. After that, he earned another law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law.
Early Political Career
In 1982, Udall first ran for Congress in New Mexico. He did not win that election. He ran again in 1988 but lost by a small number of votes.
From 1991 to 1999, Udall served as the Attorney General of New Mexico. In this role, he was the state's chief legal officer.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Udall ran for Congress again in 1998. He won the election for New Mexico's 3rd district. He was re-elected four more times without much opposition.
What He Did in the House
As a U.S. Representative, Udall worked on various issues. He was part of groups that focused on both moderate and more liberal ideas. He also helped create the House Peak Oil Caucus. This group looked at how the world's oil supply might run out.
He was a member of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations. This committee decides how the government spends money. He also worked on issues related to Native American communities and international conservation.
Serving in the U.S. Senate
In 2007, Udall announced he would run for a Senate seat. The long-serving Senator, Pete Domenici, was retiring. Udall won the election in 2008. His cousin, Mark Udall, also won a Senate seat in Colorado that same year.
Udall was re-elected to the Senate in 2014. He decided not to run for a third term in 2020.
Key Votes and Actions
During his time in the Senate, Udall voted on many important laws. He supported the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." This law had prevented openly gay people from serving in the military. He also voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This law aimed to make health care more affordable.
Udall was one of the first members of Congress to worry about government surveillance programs. He spoke out about these concerns before they became widely known.
Laws He Helped Create
In 2013, Udall introduced a bill to transfer land to the Sandia Pueblo tribe. This helped the tribe gain more control over their ancestral lands.
He also proposed a change to the U.S. Constitution. This change would allow limits on how much money can be spent to support political candidates. This idea was meant to reduce the influence of large donations in elections.
In 2015, Udall helped create a law to update chemical safety rules. This law, called the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, improved how chemicals in everyday products are regulated. It made sure they are safer for people and the environment.
His Committee Work
In the Senate, Udall served on several important committees. These included:
- Committee on Appropriations: This committee controls government spending.
- Committee on Foreign Relations: This committee deals with how the U.S. interacts with other countries.
- Committee on Indian Affairs: This committee focuses on issues affecting Native American tribes.
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: This committee handles topics like trade, science, and transportation.
Political Views
Gun Laws
Udall supported stricter gun control laws. He voted for measures that would protect the names of gun owners. He also joined a protest in the House to demand votes on gun control after a shooting. He believed it was important to prevent terror suspects from getting guns.
Environmental Protection
Udall was a strong supporter of environmental protection. He received high scores from environmental groups for his voting record. In 2018, he received a top award from the Sierra Club.
In 2019, he signed a letter asking for full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Act. This act helps protect national parks and public lands. He also supported the Green New Deal. This plan aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa
On July 16, 2021, President Joe Biden chose Tom Udall to be the United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. The Senate confirmed his nomination in October 2021.
Udall officially began his role in New Zealand on December 2, 2021. He presented his credentials to the New Zealand governor-general, Dame Cindy Kiro. He then presented his credentials to the Head of State of Samoa on February 17, 2022.
Personal Life
Tom Udall is married to Jill Cooper, and they have one daughter. He is part of a well-known political family. His father, Stewart Lee Udall, was a Congressman and Interior Secretary. His uncle, Morris Udall, was also a Congressman. His cousin, Mark Udall, was a U.S. Senator for Colorado.
Udall is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
See also
In Spanish: Tom Udall para niños
- Lee–Hamblin family
