Oil on canvas, Laurel Boeck, 2008, Collection of U.S. House of Representatives

BARTON, Joe Linus, a Representative from Texas; born in Waco, McLennan County, Tex., September 15, 1949; graduated from Waco High School, Waco, Tex., 1968; B.A., Texas Agricultural & Mechanical University, College Station, Tex., 1972; M.S., Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., 1973; business executive; White House Fellowship, served as aide to Secretary of Energy James B. Edwards, 1981-1982; elected as a Republican to the Ninety-ninth and to the fourteen succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1985-present); chair, Committee on Energy and Commerce (One Hundred Eighth and One Hundred Ninth Congresses).