Chet Edwards For Congress

Congressman Chet Edwards

Congressman Chet Edwards of Waco has served Central Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives for the past 17 years.

During that time he has developed a reputation of working hard and effectively for Texas jobs and federal investments in Ft. Hood, the Central Texas Veterans' Health Care System, the A&M Medical School, L-3, Lockheed Martin, Interstate 35, transportation and water resources, and university research programs at Baylor and Texas A&M Universities.

As Chairman of the important Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, Congressman Edwards is known as a national champion for America's veterans, troops, and their families. In 2007, he authored the largest increase in veterans funding in the 77-year history of the VA - an $11.8 billion increase. Edwards also co-chairs the bi-partisan House Army Caucus and the USO Congressional Caucus.

This year, both the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars recognized Congressman Edwards' leadership with their national awards given to only one member of Congress. In 2007, he was awarded with the Disabled American Veterans “Going to Bat for Veterans” award, and received the Military Order of the Purple Heart's “Inspirational Leadership” award in 2005. In 2003, the Association of the U.S. Army gave Edwards its “Legislator of the Year Award” and in 2004, the American Legion gave Chet its “Unsung Hero Award.”

Edwards is the only Texan on the influential Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees key homeland defense and university research programs. He also serves on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.

As one of only a handful of House Members on both the Budget and Appropriations Committees, Edwards is known as a fiscal conservative who believes massive federal deficits and the $9 trillion national debt are harmful to our economy and morally wrong to pass on to our children and grand children. The non-partisan Concord Coalition has given him its “Deficit Hawk” Award and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has given Edwards its “Spirit of Enterprise Award” for the past five years for his strong support of small business. Edwards has also been recognized for his innovative, cooperative approaches to protecting private property rights and the environment.

As a lifelong person of faith, Edwards has been honored by the Baptist Joint Committee and earned the Walter Cronkite Award from the Interfaith Alliance for his principled fight to keep government funding and regulations out of our churches and houses of worship. Congressman Edwards was also honored with the T.B. Maston Christian Ethics Award.

Edwards' proven record of hard work, combined with his influential Appropriations Subcommittee Chairmanship, put him in a position to fight effectively for jobs and vital education, health, transportation and water investments in the 17th District, which stretches from Navasota to College Station/Bryan to Waco to Cleburne and Burleson.

Upon graduation from Texas A&M in 1974, Edwards received the Earl Rudder Award, given to two outstanding seniors. He then worked for 3 years for Congressman Olin E. “Tiger” Teague before earning an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

In the 1980's Edwards worked at the Trammell Crow Company in commercial real estate and owned a rural radio station as President of Edwards Communications. From 1983 to 1989, Edwards served in the Texas Senate. As a Member of the Senate Education Committee, he played an active role in reducing class sizes in Texas' public schools and was named one of “Ten Outstanding Legislators” by Texas Monthly magazine.

Edwards and his wife, Lea Ann, along with their sons, J.T. (12) and Garrison (11) attend the Calvary Baptist Church in Waco.