Biography
On January 3, 2007, Congressman Rick Larsen was sworn in for his fourth term as a Member of the House of Representatives. Congressman Larsen represents the Second Congressional District of Washington state, which stretches from northern Snohomish County clear to the Canadian border, encompassing all of Skagit, Island, San Juan and Whatcom counties.
Since coming to Congress, Larsen has worked hard to bring veterans health care closer to veterans, securing a community based outpatient clinic (CBOC) to the Second Congressional District. Congressman Larsen has also served as an advocate for the districts homeless and hungry populations – raising awareness about hunger and supporting federal legislation to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry at night.
Congressman Larsen currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Small Business Committee.
As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Larsen fought hard to keep Naval Station Everett and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island off the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) list and has worked to position the bases for future expansion.
Serving on the House Transportation Committee, Congressman Larsen worked with his colleagues to pass the Federal Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill, also known as SAFETEA-LU in July of 2005. This legislation alone brought over $52 million dollars worth of transportation projects to the Second Congressional District.
As a new member on the House Small Business Committee, Congressman Larsen will continue his work to support local communities’ economic development activities, creating family wage jobs in the Second District. He has worked hard to preserve federal funding for programs that support small businesses, such as the Small Business Development Center program.
Congressman Larsen also serves as co-chair of the Congressional Methamphetamine Caucus, which is working to fight the growing meth epidemic that is ravaging our local communities. As a result of his efforts, Larsen has fostered a number of legislative provisions into law, including a bill that protects mail-order brides by safeguarding the International Marriage Broker industry.
Congressman Larsen graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in Washington state. He holds a masters degree in Public Affairs from the University of Minnesota.
The Larsen family has been building a legacy in the Second Congressional District for more than a century. Congressman Larsen and his wife, Tiia, are the proud parents of two sons, Robert and Per (pronounced "Pear"), who represent the fifth generation of Larsens in the district.
