Don Bacon
R-Nebraska, Air Force
Bio: Growing up and working on a farm in Illinois, Congressman Don Bacon learned first-hand how the value of hard work and commitment contributes to the success of a small business. He moved from the family farm to attend Northern Illinois University, from which he graduated with a Bachelors of Political Science in 1984, the same year he married Angie, the love of his life. They have three sons, one daughter, and three granddaughters. One year later, he began his military career by joining the U.S. Air Force and serving nearly 30 years, ultimately retiring as a Brigadier General.
During his career in the Air Force, Congressman Bacon specialized in electronic warfare, intelligence, reconnaissance, and public affairs. His career highlights include two tours as a Wing Commander, at Ramstein Airbase in Germany and Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska; group command at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona; squadron command in Arizona, and expeditionary squadron command in Iraq. In total, Congressman Bacon served 16 assignments including four deployments across the globe, three of which were in the Middle East, and one assignment to Iraq in 2007 to 2008 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
Congressman Bacon’s military decorations include two Bronze Stars, two Legion of Merits, and five Meritorious Service Medals. Additionally, he was selected as Europe’s top Air Force Wing Commander for his time at Ramstein Airbase, as well as recognized as a distinguished graduate of the Air Command and Staff College, Navigator-Electronic Warfare School, and Officer Intelligence School. Further, Congressman Bacon has earned two Masters Degrees, from the University of Phoenix in Arizona and the National War College in Washington D.C.
Upon his retirement from the Air Force in 2014, Congressman Bacon served as the military advisor to Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01), where he specialized in military affairs focusing on Offutt Air Force Base and the Nebraska National Guard. He was also an Assistant Professor at Bellevue University where he taught Undergraduate Leadership along with American Vision and Values (The Kirkpatrick Signature Series), until his 2016 election to Congress, representing the Nebraska’s Second Congressional District.
In the current 115th Congress, Don serves on the House Committee on Agriculture, House Committee on Armed Services, and the House Committee on Small Business.
Military Bio: Wanting to serve his country, Don joined the Air Force in 1985 and served for 29.5 years, retiring as a Brigadier General. He served in the intelligence, electronic warfare, reconnaissance and public affairs career fields and had 16 assignments all over the world. He commanded twice at the wing level, to include at Ramstein Air Base in Germany and Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. He also commanded one group, one squadron, and one expeditionary squadron. He deployed four times during his career to the Middle East to include commanding an electronic warfare squadron during the invasion of Iraq and a year-long tour to Baghdad during the surge in 2007-2008.
He won multiple awards during his time in the Air Force including Distinguished Service Medal, two Legion of Merits, and two Bronze Stars. He was selected as Europe’s top Air Force Wing Commander (along with Angie as commander’s spouse) in 2009. He was a distinguished graduate in his Air and Command Staff College, Navigator School, and Intelligence School.
Don has also worked for Congressman Jeff Fortenberry as his Military Advisor, with a focus on Offutt Air Force Base and Nebraska National Guard.
http://donbacon2016.com/about/
Legislation:
SPONSORED
H.R.1383 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)Recognizing Officers and Enlisted Men of the Korean Constabulary Act of 2017
CO-SPONSORED
Armed Forces & National Security:
H.R.1162 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)No Hero Left Untreated Act
H.R.2052 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)PRIVATE Act
H.R.1968 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)Military Asset Protection Act
H.R.1777 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)To amend titles 10 and 32, United States Code, to improve and enhance authorities relating to the employment, use, status, and benefits of military technicians (dual status), and for other purposes.
H.R.1384 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)Reserve Component Benefits Parity Act
H.R.299 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2017
H.Con.Res.41 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the United States declaration of war against Germany and entry into World War I and recognizing and appreciating the lasting historical significance and heroic human endeavor and sacrifice of the United States Armed Forces in that conflict.
H.Con.Res.45 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)Expressing the sense of Congress that those who served in the bays, harbors, and territorial seas of the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, should be presumed to have served in the Republic of Vietnam for all purposes under the Agent Orange Act of 1991.
H.R.1066 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)VA Management Alignment Act of 2017
H.R.846 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act
H.Res.129 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)Calling on the Department of Defense, other elements of the Federal Government, and foreign governments to intensify efforts to investigate, recover, and identify all missing and unaccounted-for personnel of the United States.
H.R.512 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)WINGMAN Act
International Affairs:
H.R.672 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)Combating European Anti-Semitism Act of 2017
H.Res.92 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)Condemning North Korea’s development of multiple intercontinental ballistic missiles, and for other purposes.
H.J.Res.89 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)Authorization for Use of Military Force Against al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
H.R.257 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)Recognition of Jerusalem as the Capital of the State of Israel Act
H.R.1164 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)Taylor Force Act
H.Res.60 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)Expressing continued support for the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom and urging commencement of negotiations for the development of a North Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (NATIP) between the United States and the United Kingdom.
H.R.566 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)Terror-Free Skies Ac
https://www.congress.gov/member/don-bacon/B001298?q={%22sponsorship%22:%22cosponsored%22}