Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack
Member, U.S. House of Representatives
In 2006, Congresswoman Mary Bono resoundingly swept the 45th District Congressional election, earning her fifth full term in office. Congresswoman Bono was first elected to Congress in 1998, after a special election was held to fill the seat left vacant by her late husband, The Honorable Sonny Bono, Member of Congress.
Congresswoman Bono represents California's 45th Congressional District, which is located in southeastern California's Coachella Valley region and Inland Empire. The district is encompassed by a diverse geography, including deserts, mountains and agricultural space, as well as the Colorado River and the Salton Sea.
Rep. Bono serves on the prestigious Energy and Commerce Committee, which has broad jurisdiction over issues such as energy, telecommunications, health care and the environment.
Within the committee, Rep. Bono sits on the following three subcommittees: Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection; Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, and the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. In addition, Bono serves as co-chair of the Congressional Salton Sea Task Force, as vice-chair of the Entertainment Task Force and the Travel and Tourism Task Force. Bono is also the founder and co-chair of the Recording Arts and Sciences Caucus, and founding co-chair of the Intellectual Property Promotion and Piracy Prevention Caucus.
Congresswoman Bono has established herself as a leader in the House of Representatives based on her efforts to improve the nation's health care, the environment, consumer protection, and national energy policy - especially alternative energy and fuels. Because of her consistent voting record on these issues, Bono has received numerous awards from major organizations such as: Americans for Tax Reform, National Federation of Independent Businesses and the National Association of Manufacturers, among others.
Perhaps one of her most significant legislative achievements, Rep. Bono succeeded in passing legislation that established the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument in the Palm Springs region. In addition, Congresswoman Bono successfully moved legislation to compensate the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian Tribe for land lost in 1908. The agreement settled the longest-ever ongoing litigation in the Ninth Circuit Court of California.
Rep. Bono has also passed landmark legislation that calls for country-of-origin labeling for fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as two pieces of energy-saving legislation that rewards companies for utilizing clean burning fuel technologies. The Congresswoman has sponsored legislation that provides funding for obesity studies and national improved nutrition programs, autism research, and Federal funding under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Act.
Congresswoman Bono has repeatedly secured millions of dollars for transportation and environmental improvement projects in the 45th district, and has been at the forefront of working to curb the bark beetle infestation problem in the San Bernardino forest areas. Bono has also been a key voice in Congress on finding a solution to restore the endangered Salton Sea.
Bono has been the subject of numerous profiles for a wide array of publications and television shows, including: CNN's Larry King Live, NBC's The Today Show, The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, USA Today, PEOPLE, Capital Style, ELLE Magazine, Entertainment Tonight, Esquire, GEORGE Magazine, Good Housekeeping, HELLO Magazine, Ladies' Home Journal, and PBS. In 1998 Rep. Bono was named one of the Most Fascinating Women of 1998 by Ladies' Home Journal magazine in conjunction with CBS Television. She was also selected by the former GEORGE Magazine as one of the 20 most fascinating women in politics.
Congresswoman Bono was born in 1961 in Cleveland, Ohio. Two years later her family moved to South Pasadena, California, where she enjoyed a warm family upbringing. Bono's father, Clay Whitaker, is a retired physician and surgeon. Her mother, Karen, was a retired chemist.
As a youth Mary pursued her first love, gymnastics. With her family's support, Mary became an accomplished gymnast while training with the team Gymnastics Olympica. Her dedication to physical fitness continues to this day.
A 1984 graduate of the University of Southern California, Mary earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in art history. Mary worked her way through college, sometimes working two jobs at once. Following college, Mary wed Sonny Bono, and resided with him and their two children, Chesare Elan and Chianna Marie in Palm Springs, until Sonny's tragic death in 1998.
In addition to spending time with her children, Mary enjoys a range of interests from outdoor activities to a passion for music.
Appearances
- State of the Net Conference 2008 January 30, 2008
Biography last updated January 2008