Matthew J. Rinaldo papers

September 1, 1931

Born Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey

1953

Rutgers University, Bachelor of Science

1959

Seton Hall University, Master of Business Administration

1979

New York University, Doctor of Public Administration

1963-64

Union County Board of Freeholders

1967-72

New Jersey State Senate

1962

House of Representatives (12th District)

1974

Re-elected House of Representatives (12th District)

1976

Re-elected House of Representatives (12th District)

1978

re-elected House of Representatives (12th District)

1980

Re-elected House of Representatives (12th District)

1982

Re-elected House of Representatives (12th District)

1984

Re-elected House of Representatives (7th District)

1986

Re-elected House of Representatives (7th District)

1988

Re-elected House of Representatives (7th District)

Select Committee on Aging (Ranking Mamber)

Health and Long-Term Care Subcommittee

Telecommunications and Finance Subcommittee (Ranking Republican Member)

Transportation and Hazardous Materials

VFW, 'Outstanding Legislator'

B'nai B'rith, 'Citizen of the Year'

UNICO, 'Man of the Year'

The Rod and Gun Club Editors of Metropolitan New York ( Award for his leading role in enactment of 200-Mile-Fishing-Limit Law)

N.J. Catholic War Veterans, 'The Patriot Award'

American Heart Association, 'Distinguished Service Award'

Patrolman's Benevolent Association, 'Outstanding Citizen Award'

Retired Senior Volunteer Program, 'Outstanding Service Award'

Matthew J. Rinaldo was elected twice to the New Jersey State Senate in 1967 and 1971. In 1972 he ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in the old 12th Congressional District and won with 62 percent of the vote. He served in the House of Representatives from 1973 until 1993.

During his twenty years in the House, he served on three House Committees. He was the ranking member of the of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which is among the most powerful panels in Congress, with jurisdiction over issues relating to the environment, health, energy, commerce, transportation, consumer protection, telecommunications, and the securities industry. During his 11 years on the committee he led the fight to protect the nation's natural resources and to promote economic development. Besides his seniority on the full committee, the Congressman served as the ranking Republican member on the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Consumer Protection and Finance.

In addition to serving on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Congressman Rinaldo was the ranking Republican on the House Select Committee on Aging, where he served as an advocate for the elderly. In recognition of his service in this area he was named co-chairman with Rep. Claude Pepper, D-Fla., of the 1981 White House Conference on Aging, was selected in the 1982 by the American Association of Homes for the Aging to receive its "Distinguished Service Award", and received a special award from the National Association for Home Care. In promoting the interests of senior citizens, the congressman sponsored legislation enacted into law that protects the elderly occupants of boarding homes, expands job opportunities for older workers, and strengthens the Older Americans Act, which is the center piece of the federal commitment to the elderly.

Some of the other Rinaldo measures enacted into law include legislation prohibiting discrimination based on sex or marital status in the granting of credit, and a bill that slashed regulatory costs and benefited consumers by reforming the system of registering new tire sales. He also was the moving force behind legislation denying Communist authorities the use of Radio Free Europe. Language drafted by the Congressman is now part of the law prohibiting the Export-Import Bank from making loans to countries that aid terrorists. The nation's Securities Act also bears the Rinaldo legislative imprint, having been amended to encourage growth and reduce the federal regulatory burden on small business. Congress also approved Rinaldo-sponsored bills cracking down on auto thefts and improving systems of communication between public safety agencies during an emergency. Another Rinaldo proposal enacted into law saved the State of New Jersey an estimated $20 million in federal health care funds.

After his retirement from the House in 1993, Rinaldo became the President of International CellularVision, a company located in Washington. Rinaldo also serves as the chairman of the Advanced Telecommunications Institute at Stevens Institute of Technology.