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Tom Cole
(b. April 28, 1949)
Tom Cole, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, was elected as the representative for Oklahoma's Fourth Congressional District on Nov. 6, 2002. During his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, Cole has established himself as an advocate for a strong national defense, a defender of the interests of small business and taxpayers, a proponent of education at all levels and a leader on issues dealing with Native Americans and tribal governments. He was named as one of "Five Freshmen to Watch" by Roll Call at the outset of his congressional career. He was also inducted in the Chickasaw Hall of Fame in 2004.
Cole serves as a Deputy Whip in the U.S. House. In this role, he helps line up the votes needed to pass the legislative agenda of the president and the House Republican Conference. Cole also serves as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, making him a member of the House GOP leadership. He is also a member of the House Armed Services Committee and serves on the Natural Resources Committee. Prior to joining the U.S. House, Cole served as a district director for former Rep. Mickey Edwards, a member of the Oklahoma State Senate, and as Oklahoma's secretary of state.
Cole is a founding partner and past president of CHS & Associates, a nationally recognized consulting and survey research firm based in Oklahoma City. A former college instructor in history and politics, Cole has been a Thomas Watson Fellow and a Fulbright Fellow at the University of London. He currently serves on the national Board of the Fulbright Association, as well as on the board of the Aspen Institute.