The University of Wisconsin Law School will present its 2008 Kastenmeier Lecture on Monday, October 13, 2008, at 4 p.m. in Room 2260 (Godfrey & Kahn Hall). Representative David Obey of the U.S. House of Representatives will speak on "Economic Injustice" at the annual event honoring Wisconsin Congressman Robert W. Kastenmeier, an outstanding graduate of the UW Law School Class of 1952.

Congressman David Obey represents Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District, which includes much of the northwestern portion of the state. Prior to his election to the House of Representatives, Obey served four terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly. In 1969, he was elected to the House at the age of 30. He became the youngest member of Congress upon taking his seat. Obey was elected to a full term in 1970 and has been re-elected 18 times.

Obey's top priority in public life has been the cause of economic justice. He is the only Democratic Member of the House to have served on the three major economic committees in Congress: the Budget Committee, the Joint Economic Committee, and the Committee on Appropriations. He served two terms as the Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee where he focused Committee research on the growing gap between the rich and poor.

In 1994 Obey was elected Chairman of the Appropriations Committee. He served ten years as Chairman of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee and more than ten years as the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee and ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. In the 110th Congress, Obey regained the chairmanship of the Committee.

To register to attend, use the online registration at www.wisconsinlawalumni.com .

To learn more about the annual Robert W. Kastenmeier Lecture see www.law.wisc.edu/alumni/kastenmeier.html .

Submitted by on September 18, 2008

This article appears in the categories: Articles