Robert Smith Walker

A Representative from Pennsylvania; born in Bradford, McKean County, Pa., December 23, 1942; graduated from Penn Manor High School, Millersville, Pa., 1960; attended the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va., 1960-1961; B.S., Millersville University, Millersville, Pa., 1964; M.A., University of Delaware, Newark, Del., 1968; taught in Millersville public schools, 1964-1967; served in Pennsylvania National Guard, 1967-1973; assistant to Representative Edwin D. Eshleman of Pennsylvania, 1967-1976; delegate and alternate delegate, Republican National Conventions, 1980-1996; elected as a Republican to the Ninety-fifth and to the nine succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1977-January 3, 1997); chairman, Committee on Science (One Hundred Fourth Congress); was not a candidate for reelection to the One Hundred Fifth Congress in 1996; is a resident of East Petersburg, Pa. Wexler & Walker Chairman Robert S. Walker has an insider’s knowledge of politics and policy based on decades of high-level government experience. Recognized as one of Washington ’s leading political strategists, Congressman Walker is in constant demand for his in-depth counsel on public policy issues and trends. Mr. Walker retired from service in the U.S. House of Representatives after 20 years representing Pennsylvania's 16th District. During that time he was Chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology (then called the Science Committee), Chief Deputy Whip, Vice Chairman of the Budget Committee, Chairman of the Republican Leadership and Speaker Pro Tempore. Presently, Congressman Walker continues his public service work as Chairman of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee. His long-time involvement in alternative fuels and climate policy have made him a recognized world leader in this arena. His expertise in aerospace issues also is recognized and utilized. In 2001, he was appointed to chair the Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry. In 2004, he served on the President’s Commission on Implementation of the U.S. Space Exploration Policy. For several years Congressman Walker was a member of the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board of the National Research Council. Back in 1996 he was the first sitting House Member to be awarded NASA’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Medal and in 2004 received the NASA Distinguished Public Services Medal. Today he is on the boards of the Aerospace Corporation, Space Adventures and SpaceDev. From 2006 – 2008, he was Chairman of the Space Foundation and is presently a Director Emeritus of that board. For more than thirty years Congressman Walker has played a key role in the development and implementation of major public strategies related to science, space, technology, energy and legislative procedure. As a member of the board of American Solutions he is helping to pursue new policy options for meeting the complex challenges of the 21st Century. He appears regularly on Fox News and PBS. He lectures frequently at the Brookings Institute and Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University. Congressman Walker holds a B.S. in Education from Millersville University where the Walker Center for Civic Responsibility and Leadership is located. Additionally, he has an M.A. in Political Science from the University of Delaware and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Franklin and Marshall College.