Biography
Chellie Pingree, born Rochelle Marie Johnson on April 2, 1955, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a Democratic politician representing Maine's 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2009. She is the first Democratic woman elected to the U.S. House from Maine. Pingree's political career began in local governance on North Haven Island, where she served on the school board, planning board, and as chair of the board of assessors. She was elected to the Maine State Senate in 1992, serving until 2000, including four years as majority leader. In 2002, she ran for the U.S. Senate but was unsuccessful. From 2003 to 2007, Pingree served as president and CEO of Common Cause, a non-partisan citizen activist group.
In Congress, Pingree has been a strong advocate for sustainable agriculture, food policy reform, and environmental protection. She introduced the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act and the Food Recovery Act, aiming to support local farmers and reduce food waste. In 2017, she received the James Beard Foundation Leadership Award for her commitment to sustainable agriculture.
Education and Political Experience
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Education:
- Attended the University of Southern Maine in 1973.
- Bachelor of Arts in Human Ecology from the College of the Atlantic, 1979.
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Political Experience:
- Member, North Haven Planning Board .
- Chair, North Haven Board of Assessors .
- Member, North Haven School Board.
- Maine State Senator ; Majority Leader .
- President and CEO, Common Cause .
- U.S. Representative for Maine's 1st Congressional District .
Notable Achievements and Positions
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Legislation:
- Introduced the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act to support local farmers and improve food access.
- Authored the Food Recovery Act to reduce food waste.
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Committee Assignments:
- Member, House Committee on Appropriations.
- Member, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration.
- Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.
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Awards:
- James Beard Foundation Leadership Award for commitment to sustainable agriculture.
Pingree's dedication to environmental sustainability and food policy reform continues to shape her legislative priorities and contributions in Congress.
