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Dennis HestertHead of the US House of Representatives
Date of Birth: 02.01.1942
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Dennis Hastert
Dennis Hastert, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, maintained his third-ranking position in the American political hierarchy not only because the Republicans won, but also because he earned a reputation as a moderate politician. He is known for his ability to reconcile political opponents.
Early Life and Education
Dennis Hastert was born on January 2, 1942. He is a Protestant by religion. In 1964, he graduated from Whitton College in Illinois and three years later, he obtained a master's degree from Northern Illinois University. Before entering Congress, he was a teacher for 16 years at a secondary school in his hometown of Yorkville, Illinois. He also worked for several years in the legislature of his state.
Political Career
In 1986, Hastert was first elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he focused on healthcare and environmental protection issues. On January 6, 1999, he assumed the leadership of the lower house. This happened under the following circumstances. After the Republicans' unsuccessful performance in the midterm elections, the party experienced a period of disarray and turmoil. Although the Republicans retained control of the House, they lost many seats. The blame was placed on then-Speaker Newt Gingrich, a staunch conservative. He was forced to resign, and Hastert unexpectedly emerged as a unifying figure. He successfully fulfilled the role of "unifier."
