The keynote speaker at the 2000 Democratic National Convention, Congressman Harold E. Ford, Jr., (TN-09) was elected to represent the Ninth District of Tennessee in 1996 at age 26. He was reelected to the House of Representatives in 1998 with nearly 80 percent of the vote, and again in 2000 with no opposition. Ford represents a new generation of political leaders who seek to replace the partisan politics of the past with fresh ideas and a pragmatic approach to the challenges of the twenty-first century.

The New York Times Magazine declared that "Ford's politics have genuine appeal" and that Ford "is helping lead the change [toward] a more centrist, pragmatic approach." The Knoxville News Sentinel offered the following assessment of Ford: “A smart, articulate, politically tough and wise beyond his years, Ford has forged a record as a moderate who weighs legislation carefully based on the issues involved, not based on ideology." In endorsing Ford for reelection, the Memphis Commercial Appeal wrote: "He has demonstrated the ability, intelligence, and energy to help his constituents....He hasn't let his youth or relative political inexperience prevent him from effectively representing the Ninth Congressional District." Newsweek labeled Ford a “shrewd dealmaker” with a “frenetic passion for his work.”

Since he was elected, Ford's main priority in Congress has been improving education: “After years of neglect and low expectations, it is time to lift the bar on student achievement. For too long, we have allowed children to languish in underfunded schools that expect nothing out of them. Our children deserve substantial new investments in their education, as well as accountability measures to ensure they are learning. Education is not only about lifting the hopes of children -- in this century, education will be the key to the security and economic future of our nation.”

Congressman Ford has worked to improve education as a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee. Ford has been a consistent supporter not only for increased funding for education, but also for stronger accountability -- ideas which formed the basis of the “No Child Left Behind Act of 2001,” the bipartisan legislation overhauling the federal role in K-12 education.

Ford is also an advocate of increasing college opportunities. He authored the "Make College Affordable Act" to help working families meet the rising tuition costs. The bill called for a tax deduction for higher education expenses, including tuition, fees, room and board, as well as interest on student loans. These provisions became law as part of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001.

In addition to his work on education issues, Congressman Ford is also a member of the House Committee on Financial Services. The Committee's jurisdiction includes securities, insurance, banking, consumer credit, domestic and international monetary policy, and housing and urban development. "Financial markets have become truly global,” Ford says. “The Financial Services Committee must lead the way in reshaping government policy to fit this new reality. Another challenge is working to strengthen communities by expanding homeownership and affordable housing. Finally, in an economy where access to credit and capital are increasingly important, we must lower barriers to capital and help Americans understand the importance of personal credit. By expanding access to credit we expand economic opportunity -- and in doing so we bring more Americans into the circle of prosperity."

Toward that end, Ford has introduced the "Consumer Credit Empowerment Act," a bill designed to help consumers better understand the credit reporting system, their credit rating, and how to remain a safe credit risk. The bill would give consumers access to their credit reports, free of charge, along with their credit scores and a clear explanation of how the score was computed. Consumers would be armed with the same access to information that lenders and creditors now enjoy, giving them the resources necessary to become better customers and investors.

According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Ford is a “lawmaker of influence [who has] exerted himself on issues beyond the reach of his committees.” Ford was widely lauded for his successful efforts to persuade his colleagues to support the campaign finance reform legislation that passed the House in February 2002. He has fought for prescription drug coverage under Medicare and for a “Patients’ Bill of Rights.” Ford is a consistent advocate for balanced budgets and fiscal responsibility in Washington.

Ford recently teamed up with Rep. Tom Osborne (R-NE) to author the Call to Service Act, a bill to expand opportunities for Americans to perform national and community service. The bill calls for a fivefold increase in the AmeriCorps national service program, with half of the new volunteer opportunities dedicated to tasks related to homeland security. It increases Montgomery G.I. benefits and establishes a new short-term military enlistment option. “The terrorist attacks against the United States have created a groundswell of patriotic sentiment,” Ford explains. “The Call to Service Act will harness the spirit of national service in the effort to strengthen our communities and defend our nation.”

Ford served as freshman class President during the second session of the 105^th Congress. Since joining Congress, Ford has joined and worked closely with several progressive, pro-growth coalitions, including the New Democrat Coalition, the Congressional Black Caucus and the Blue Dog Coalition.

Prior to his election to Congress, Ford worked under the leadership of the late U.S. Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown as a Special Assistant to the Economic Development Administration in 1993. He also served as a Special Assistant to the 1992 Clinton/Gore Transition Team, and as an aide to the Senate Budget Committee under former U.S. Senator James Sasser. Congressman Ford coordinated his father's re-election campaigns in 1992 and 1994.

Congressman Ford received his law degree from the University of Michigan School of Law in 1996. He earned a bachelor's degree in American History from the University of Pennsylvania in 1992. Born in Memphis, Tennessee on May 11, 1970, Congressman Ford is the eldest son of former U.S. Representative Harold E. Ford and Dorothy Ford. He has two brothers, Jake and Isaac Ford.