Oil on canvas, Dennis Fritz, 2005 Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives

OBEY, David Ross, a Representative from Wisconsin; born in Okmulgee, Okmulgee County, Okla., October 3, 1938; graduated from Wausau High School, Wausau, Wis., 1956; B.S., University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis., 1960; M.A., University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis., 1962; real estate broker; member of the Wisconsin state assembly, 1963-1969; elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-first Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of United States Representative Melvin R. Laird, and reelected to the twenty succeeding Congresses (April 1, 1969-present); chair, Joint Economic Committee (Ninety-ninth Congress); chair, Committee on Appropriations (One Hundred Third, One Hundred Tenth and One Hundred Eleventh Congresses).