Louisiana native Bobby Jindal is proud to be the Freshman Congressman representing the First District of Louisiana.
Elected to Congress on November 2, 2004, Bobby has set a strong agenda for his first term - Working to improve economic development in Louisiana so our children do not have to leave the state to find a job - Securing our homeland and winning the War on Terrorism - Improving our health care system so everyone has access to quality, affordable health care - Protecting the natural treasures of Louisiana, preserving our beautiful coast and enhancing our role in supplying oil and gas to the world.
His role as Freshman Class President and appointments to the House Committee on Homeland Security, the House Committee on Resources, and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce uniquely position him to be able to address his priorities and best serve the people of Louisiana.
In 1996, two years after graduate school at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, he was appointed Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH). There were many issues that needed resolving during his tenure, not the least of which was the growing deficit in Louisiana's Medicaid program. Focusing his attention on the problem, Jindal led the effort to revamp the system, turning the $400 million deficit he inherited into a surplus of $220 million in just three years.
In 1998, Bobby left DHH and was appointed Executive Director of the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare, a 17-member panel under the chairmanship of Senator John Breaux (D-LA) and Congressman Bill Thomas (R-CA). As Executive Director, Bobby was responsible for the day to day operation of the Commission. The Chairmen's recommendations continue to be the driving force behind much of the ongoing debate on how to strengthen and improve Medicare.
Bobby returned to Louisiana state government in 1999, when he accepted an appointment to become President of the University of Louisiana System. The system, which includes Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the University of Louisiana at Monroe, is the 16th largest higher education system in the country. In any year, the system oversees the education of 80,000 individuals.
After serving in that capacity for two years, Bobby was appointed Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. This Presidential appointment made Bobby a senior health policy advisor to President George W. Bush.
Bobby is a native of Louisiana, born in Baton Rouge. He is a graduate of the Louisiana Public School System, Brown University (with a 4.0 Grade Point Average) and Oxford University, which he attended as a Rhodes Scholar, having turned down admissions to medical and law schools at both Harvard and Yale.
This is his first time in elected office. He ran for Governor of Louisiana in 2003, fulfilling his promise not to run a negative campaign. Instead, he focused his efforts on a positive message and addressed the needs of Louisiana, the same message he brings to the U.S. House of Representatives.
He is married and the father of three young children; his wife and children live in the district in Louisiana.
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