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'''Steny Hamilton Hoyer''' (born [[June 14]] [[, 1939]]) is a [[United States Democratic Party|Democratic]] member of the [[United States House of Representatives]], representing the 5th district of the [[Maryland|State 5th Congressional District of Maryland]] since 1981. Hoyer also has the distinction of serving as the House Majority Leader, second in command to the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi ([http://nationalatlasCalif.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/md05_109).gif map]) since [[1981]] Prior to holding this position, and is he served as the current [[House Minority Whip]].

Hoyer was born in [[New York City]] but grew up in [[Mitchellville, Maryland]]. He graduated from [[Suitland High School]] in [[Suitland, Maryland]] and went on to attend the [[University of Maryland, College Park]], earning a B.S. degree in [[1963]]. He earned his law degree from [[Georgetown University]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] in [[1966]]. He and his deceased wife, Judy Pickett Hoyer, have three daughters: Susan, Stefany, and Anne.

In 1966 at the age of 27, Hoyer won a seat in the [[Maryland State Senate]]. In [[1975]], at the age of 35, Hoyer was elected [[President of the Senate]], the youngest in state history.

[[Image:StenyHoyerUSCensusBureau.jpg|left|thumb|250px|U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) at a [[U.S. Census Bureau]] function]]In 1981, Hoyer was elected to the House of Representatives by [[special election]] to succeed the ailing [[Gladys Spellman]] from the fifth congressional district of Maryland. He is now the longest-serving House member from Southern Maryland in history, as well as the highest-ranking member of Congress in Maryland history.

Hoyer has served as Chair of the Democratic [[Caucus]], the fourth-ranking position among House Democrats, from 1989 to 1994; the former Co-Chair (and a current member) of the Democratic Steering Committee; and as the chief candidate recruiter for House Democrats from [[1995]] to [[2000]]. He also served as Deputy Majority [[Whip (politics)|Whip]] from [[1987]] to [[1989]]. On [[November 14]], [[2002]], Rep. Hoyer was unanimously elected by his colleagues in the Democratic Caucus to serve as the House Democratic Minority Whip, the second-highest-ranking position among House Democrats.

In Congress, Steny Hoyer has built a reputation as a defender of Federal employees and a leader currently serves on education, human and civil rights issues. He is perhaps best known for serving as the lead House sponsor following List of the [[Help America Vote Act]], which [[George WU. Bush|President Bush]] signed into law on [[October 29]], 2002, and for sponsoring the passage of the [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990]] when [[Tony Coelho]] was forced to resignS.House committees:

Hoyer currently serves on the following [[List of U.S. House committees|U.S. House committees]]:*Senior Member of the [[U.S. House Committee on Appropriations|House Appropriations Committee]].**Member of the [[U.S. House Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury and Housing|Transportation, Treasury and Housing Subcommittee]].**Member of the [[U.S. House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies|Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee]].