Mike Crapo (R-ID): Statesman, Family Man, and Idaho’s Man

Biographical Information: (http://www.crapo.senate.gov/about_mike/bio.cfm)      

• Born on May 20, 1951 in Bonneville County, ID (named after the beautiful automobile) in the Southwest portion of Idaho near Utah.
•  Education: Graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1969; Graduated Summa Cum Laude at Brigham Young University in 1973 with a B.A. in Political Science; Graduated Cum Laude/ Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School in 1977
• Religion: Mormonism
• Family: Susan (wife since 1974); children: Stephanie, Brian, Paul, Lara, and Michelle; 5 grandchildren.

Experience (http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=c000880):

Mike Crapo is a life long politician dating back to his college days as law has always at the forefront of Senator Crapo’s goals. After graduating from Harvard Law School, Mike decided to clerk with 9-th Circuit Court of Appeals. Afterwards, he completed and passed bar examinations for Idaho, California, and the Supreme Court and became a partner at the law firm of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn, & Crapo until 1984. It was at this point in time that Mike Crapo began his life as a full-fledged politician beginning with a stint as state senator in Idaho State Legislature for 8 years representing Bonneville County from 1984-1992. Crapo decided to step into the national stoplight by running for Idaho’s 2^nd District in 1993-1998 and gained significant recognition through his leadership and obtained leadership roles like New Member Leader and Deputy Whip for the Western region. 

Tenure (3 terms):
During Mike Crapo's tenure, he has seen his stock rise in various leadership roles that he has been appointed to -

• Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee (served on since 1999)
• 3rd Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee (Mike's principal amount of funding comes from donors with financial backgrounds) - https://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00006267
• The Senate Budget Committee (since 2003)
• The Senate Environment and Public Works (rejoined in 2006)

Fun Facts:
Mike is a huge gun enthusiast that enjoys firing off a few rounds after a long day of dealing with tough issues on Capitol Hill (You can't read them, but the targets have names of high ranking democrats written on them): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHTFaKhKWpM
Mike Crapo is a major enthusiast of nature and wildlife, which is one of the reasons he serves on the Environment and Public Works. To help relieve stress, Mike stalks wild bears in Northern Idaho. He treks deep into the forests and tames these massive, wild bears by wrestling them to the ground and biting their ears, thereby gaining their respect. Along with serving his country in the political realm, Mike hunts poachers to help serve Mother Nature.
The name "Crapo" comes from an ancient Swedish word used to reference the fecal matter left behind by small woodland creatures.

Idaho: The Gem State

Facts (http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/idaho/):

• Idaho is the 43rd State to be accepted into the Union.
• Capital City: Boise, ID (also the largest city in Idaho)
• Population : 1,612,136
• Industry: Agriculture (famous "Idaho potatoes", wheat, sugar beets, and barley), Lumber, and Mining.
• State Motto: "Esto perpetua" - May It Endure Forever
• State Bird: Mountain Bluebird
• State Flower: Syringa 
• State Dance: Square Dance

Population (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/16000.html):

White: 93.7%

African American: 0.8%

Asian Decent: 1.4%

American Indian: 1.6%

Hispanic or Latino: 11.8%

Two or more races: 2.2%

Religion (http://www.bestplaces.net/religion/state/idaho):

Catholic: 7.92%

Later Day Saints (Mormon): 26.17%

Baptist: 3.07%

Pentecostal: 1.93%

Lutheran: 1.63%

Methodist: 1.45%

Other Christian: 7.73%

Judaism: .04%

Eastern: .24%

Islam: .11%

Major Industries (http://commerce.idaho.gov/site-selection/key-industries/advanced-manufacturing):

Advanced Manufacturing: 17.6% of total GDP; Employs 11.2% of the state.

Aerospace: projected growth in 10 years 14.6%

Technology/Innovation: projected growth in 10 years 13.7%; 49,322 jobs

Food Processing: 8% of employment; 7% GDP (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihMMw0rnKz4)

Crapo: "One of my top priorities in the new Congress remains reforming our nation's overly-burdensome tax code as part of creating a competitive, national economy that encourages innovation and job growth. As I travel our state, many Idahoans ask me can Congress find consensus to reform our tax code and to pay down our massive national debt. The answer is we are making some progress on key principles, but we need Idahoans and all Americans to push for agreement to get the job done."