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First elected to Congress in 1976, Dr. Ron Paul of Surfside, Texas, has long been considered the nation's leading spokesman for sound money, free markets and Constitutional government, along with the allied ideas of personal liberty, a strong defense and a non-interventionist foreign policy. In the words of former Treasury Secretary William Simon, Dr. Paul was the "one exception to the Gang of 535" on
Capitol Hill.
While in Congress during the late 1970s and early 1980s, Dr. Paul's ideas were not popular. Dr. Paul was the first person in modern history to author term limits legislation, then lived under them by stepping down from his seat in 1984 and returning to his medical practice. For more than two decades, Dr. Paul has advocated the abolishment of income taxes and cutting the size and power of the federal government to a proper, constitutional level. He was also one of the early advocates for protecting the sanctity of life and opposing abortion. While in Congress during the 1970s and early 1980s, Paul served on the Banking Committee, and was a key member on the Gold Commission
In 1988, Dr. Paul was the Libertarian Party nominee for the U.S. Presidency.
On November 5, 1996, Dr. Paul was re-elected to Congress by the people of the 14th Congressional District. He serves on the House of Representatives' Financial Services Committee and the International Relations Committee. On the Financial Services Committee, he is the vice-chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.
Dr. Paul has written numerous books, including Challenge to Liberty and The Case for Gold. He has been a distinguished counselor to the Ludwig von Mises Institute and, as a physician, has delivered more than 4,000 babies in his obstetrics/gynecological practice.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dr. Paul is a graduate of Gettysburg College and Duke University School of Medicine. He proudly served the United States as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force in the 1960s, then moved to Texas in 1968 to begin a medical practice in Brazoria County. Ron Paul and his wife Carol make their home in Surfside Beach, Texas. They are the parents of five children and have 15 grandchildren.
Among Dr. Paul's many honors are included:
the "Taxpayers' Best Friend" Award from the National Taxpayers Union
the Mises Institute's Groseclose Prize and Leadership Award
the Leadership Award of the Coalition for Peace Through Strength
the Distinguished Service Award from Americans for Constitutional Action
the highest rating ever given by the Council for a Competitive Economy
the Torch of Freedom Award from the Young Conservatives of Texas
the Guardian of Freedom Award from the Young Americans for Freedom
One Congressman commented that Ron Paul "personified the Founding Fathers' conception of the citizen-statesman. He made it clear from the start that his principles would never be compromised, and they never were." Added a Congresswoman: "There are few people in public life who through thick and thin, rain or shine, stick to their principles. Ron Paul is one of those few."
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