What is Congress' Role in Overseeing the
Use of Drones?

Congressman Tim Walz

U.S. Congressman Tim Walz is currently serving his fourth term representing Minnesota’s First Congressional District. Walz serves on three House committees: Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Veterans' Affairs. He is also one of nine House members to serve on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. In the 113th Congress, Walz will serve in leadership posts with the Sportsmen's Caucus and the National Guard and Reserve Caucus. Tim Walz was born in West Point, Nebraska and is the son of a public school administrator and community activist. Walz enlisted in the Army National Guard at the young age of 17, and retired 24 years later as Command Sergeant Major. Before retiring, Walz served overseas with his battalion in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Walz is the highest ranking enlisted soldier ever to serve in Congress. In 1989, Walz earned a B.S. in social science education from Chadron State College in Nebraska. Walz spent 1989-1990 teaching high school in China as a part of the first government-sanctioned groups of American educators to teach in China through a program at Harvard University. Upon returning to the U.S., Time married in 1994 and moved to his wife’s native Minnesota, where he began teaching and coaching at Mankato West High School. Veteran care has been a top priority for Congressman Walz. The Rochester Post Bulletin has described him as having "relentless energy" and touted his strong work ethic, stating that "he brings a soldier's work ethic to the House." Congressman Walz has received awards from AMVETS, the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, the American Cancer Society, the National Association of Development Organizations, and the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Congressman and Mrs. Walz live in Mankato with their two young children, Hope and Gus.