ABOUT BUCK

Over his ten years in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Howard P. "Buck" McKeon has proven to be a vocal advocate for preserving Social Security, cutting the national debt, providing tax cuts for America�s working families and strengthening the military. Rep. McKeon has also earned a reputation as a leader in the national education reform movement.

Born Sept. 9, 1938, in Tujunga, California, Rep. McKeon grew up in the Tujunga area and graduated from Verdugo Hills High School in 1956. After serving a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he attended Brigham Young University. He subsequently embarked on a temporary "hiatus" from his studies, after which he returned to school to attain his bachelor�s degree in 1985.

During this hiatus, Rep. McKeon got married, began raising his family and started his career as a businessman in the Santa Clarita Valley. He soon was involved in his community through such organizations as the Boy Scouts, Little League, the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital Board and the Chamber of Commerce, among others.

In 1978, Rep. McKeon was elected to the William S. Hart Union High School District Board of Trustees where he served until December of 1987, which was when the city of Santa Clarita incorporated and its citizens selected him as a member of its first city council. During the city council's first meeting, Rep. McKeon was chosen by his colleagues as the city's first mayor. He served on the council for a full term, which expired in April 1992. During his tenure on the Santa Clarita City Council, the city expanded its sheriff�s and parks programs and earned a reputation as one of the safest cities in America.

He and his wife, Patricia, have six children, 29 grandchildren and currently live in Santa Clarita.