In his new book, In Praise of Public Life, Senator Joseph Lieberman writes, "For all that is wrong with our system of government, and there is much that needs repair, it remains a place where one can truly and uniquely make a difference, where one can improve our country and even, occasionally, the world."

As chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council, and as a U.S. Senator, Joe Lieberman Lieberman is indeed making a difference as one of the country's great New Democrat leaders. Among his many efforts, he has been pushing a Third Way in federal education policy, fighting for greater trade expansion and integration in the global economy, and has been a leading proponent of legislation to bolster high-technology.

This year Senator Lieberman has been working with the Senate New Democrat Coalition, of which he was a founding member, to push for an education reform bill he sponsored with Senators Bayh, Landrieu and six other New Democrats. The bill seeks to target federal funds to disadvantaged kids and give states and school districts broad administrative flexibility while holding them accountable for performance. Senator Lieberman has also fought to grant China Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status, and recently joined his New Democrat colleagues in signing a letter to Majority Leader Trent Lott and Minority Leader Tom Daschle to bring the PNTR legislation to the floor immediately.

Finally, Senator Lieberman continues to be a leading proponent of legislation to foster the New Economy. In addition to his efforts to improve research, training, and education efforts, he has launched an interactive project called "E-Government," to foster a public discussion on ways to make the government more Internet friendly.

Senator Lieberman was born in Stamford, Connecticut, and attended public schools there. He received his bachelor's degree from Yale College and his law degree from Yale Law School. Senator Lieberman was elected to the Connecticut State Senate in 1970 and served there for 10 years, including the last 6 as Majority Leader. From 1982 to 1988, he served as Connecticut's 21st attorney general, and in 1988, won the biggest upset victory in the country that year, beating Lowell Weicker to become a U.S. senator for Connecticut. He lives in New Haven with his wife Hadassah. They are the parents of four children. He is the author of five books, including In Praise of Public Life, a spirited defense of public life that draws on personal experience.

More background on Senator Lieberman's tenure as DLC Chairman.

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