James T. Walsh

Template:Short description Template:Other people Template:For Template:Infobox officeholder James Thomas Walsh (born June 19, 1947)<ref name="Bio">Walsh, James T., Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, Washington, DC, Retrieved 16 January 2014.</ref><ref name="Bonnie">Congressman James T. Walsh Template:Webarchive, St. Bonaventure University Friedsam Memorial Library archives, St. Bonaventure, NY, Spring 2009, Retrieved 19 January 2014.</ref><ref name="Votesmart">James Walsh' biography, Project Vote Smart, Philipsburg, MT: Project Vote Smart, 2014, Retrieved 13 February 2014.</ref> is an American Republican politician from Syracuse, New York.<ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Twenty">Saying goodbye to Congressman James Walsh, The Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY: Syracuse Media Group, 28 December 2008, Sieh, M., Retrieved 16 January 2014.</ref><ref name="Politician">Jim Walsh remembered: Herald American profile from 1988, The Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY: Syracuse Media Group, Repost 21 January 2008 by Carlic, S., Original 30 October 1988 by Kane, D., & Bramstedt, C., Retrieved 16 January 2014.</ref> Currently a government affairs counselor for K & L Gates in Washington, DC,<ref name="Gates">James T. Walsh: Government affairs counselor: Overview Template:Webarchive, K & L Gates LLP, Washington, DC: K & L Gates LLP, 2014, Retrieved 17 January 2014.</ref><ref name="Board">Board of directors: James T. Walsh Template:Webarchive, Onondaga Environmental Institute, Syracuse, NY: Onondaga Environmental Institute, 2008, Retrieved 24 January 2014.</ref> Walsh retired from the United States House of Representatives in 2009 after serving for twenty years.<ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Twenty"/><ref name="Board"/> Walsh represented a portion of Central New York,<ref name="Bio"/><ref name="Politician"/> that is now known as the state's 24th Congressional District.

While in Congress, Walsh was a member of the United States House Committee on Appropriations for 16 years, also chairing several of its subcommittees. As chair of the United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, alone, Walsh had spending oversight of more than $100 billion during the 109th Congress. In his capacities as chair and member of committees, subcommittees, and caucuses in Congress, Walsh secured hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds for veterans affairs, healthcare, technology, the environment, higher educational institutions, and many other areas.

Walsh was further active in the peace process in Northern Ireland, for which the Walsh Visa was created and named in his honor. As co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Hearing Health Caucus, Walsh secured passage of laws aimed at guaranteeing universal hearing screenings for newborns and infants in the United States. In 2009, an act that he proposed and which was enacted that achieved this effort was renamed for him in his honor, becoming known as the James T. Walsh Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program. Walsh's change of perspective regarding both of then-President George W. Bush's troop surge of 2007 and ideology regarding the Iraq War, caused Walsh's views to gain headlines in the news media, as well as for additionally desiring a gradual withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.

For one decade during the 1970s and 1980s, Walsh was active on the Syracuse City Council, serving as its leader for five years. In 1999, he issued a challenge with several goals that is known as The Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative (SNI) for revitalization of the city. The many phases of SNI have been successful in improving neighborhoods and housing in numerous areas of the city.

Generally known as a moderate, pro-labor Republican, Walsh currently lives in Washington, DC with his wife, Dede. Walsh's father, William F. Walsh, served as Mayor of Syracuse during the 1960s, as well as a Republican Member of the United States House of Representatives in the 1970s, and his son, Ben Walsh, began serving as Mayor of Syracuse in 2018.

Early life and education

Walsh was born in Syracuse, New York,<ref name="Bio"/><ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Politician"/><ref name="Vote">Template:Usurped, Vote NY, Reston, VA: Vote USA, Undated, Retrieved 17 January 2014.</ref> and graduated from St. Bonaventure University<ref name="Bio"/><ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Politician"/><ref name="Board"/><ref name="Vote"/> with a bachelor's degree in history.<ref name="Bonnie"/> He served in the Peace Corps<ref name="Bio"/><ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Politician"/><ref name="Board"/><ref name="Vote"/> in Nepal<ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Board"/><ref name="Nepal">The Peace Corps: 10,000 volunteers by the year 2000: Hearing before the Committee on International Relations – House of Representatives: Statement of Hon. James T. Walsh, a representative in Congress from the State of New York, pp. 21–22, US House of Representatives, Washington, DC, 18 March 1998, Retrieved 18 January 2014.</ref> from 1970 to 1972<ref name="Politician"/><ref name="Board"/><ref name="Vote"/><ref name="Iraq" /><ref name="Troops">James Walsh writes: My Iraq journal, Peace Corps Online, 11 September 2007, Cubbison, B., Retrieved 16 January 2014.</ref> as an agricultural extension agent.<ref name="Board"/>

Early career

Walsh's early employment included that as a Social Services<ref name="Votesmart"/> income examiner,<ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Vote"/> and telephone company executive<ref name="Bio"/><ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Politician"/><ref name="Board"/><ref name="Vote"/> with both AT&T<ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Board"/> and NYNEX Telecommunications.<ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Board"/> He served as Director of the Telecommunication Institute at the SUNY Utica-Rome,<ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Politician"/><ref name="Board"/><ref name="Vote"/> and taught telecommunication policy as an adjunct professor.<ref name="Board"/>

Syracuse City Council

At the same time, from 1978 to 1988,<ref name="City">Congressman James T. Walsh: The Syracuse Common Council Template:Webarchive, St. Bonaventure University Friedsam Memorial Library archives, St. Bonaventure, NY, Spring 2009, Butler, D., Retrieved 19 January 2014.</ref> Walsh served on the City Council in Syracuse,<ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="City"/> New York both as a member and President.<ref name="Bio"/><ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Vote"/><ref name="City"/> for five consecutive years in each position.<ref name="City"/> During his 10 years on the Syracuse City Council,<ref name="City"/> Walsh dedicated himself to improving and restoring the city.<ref name="City"/>

United States House of Representatives

Elections

Walsh ran as a Republican,<ref name="Bio"/><ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Politician"/><ref name="Vote"/> and won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1988<ref name="Bonnie"/> in what was then the 27th District,<ref name="Politician"/> handily defeating state Public Service Commissioner Rosemary S. Pooler.

Walsh was re-elected nine times,<ref name="Bio"/><ref name="Twenty"/> usually by fairly comfortable margins. The district, which was renumbered as the 25th District after the 1990 census, became increasingly Democratic in the 1990s due to the national Republican Party becoming more conservative. In 1996, he faced a reasonably well-financed challenge from Cortland attorney Marty Mack,<ref name="Vote"/> and was held to only 53 percent of the vote.<ref name="Vote"/> He faced his closest-ever race in 2006 against former congressional aide Dan Maffei,<ref name="Twenty"/><ref name="Vote"/> winning by only a 51% to 49% margin.<ref name="Vote"/> He lost Onondaga County, the most populous county in the district and home to Syracuse, but was carried to victory by a strong showing in the more rural areas of the district.

With Maffei priming for a rematch against Walsh in 2008, Walsh announced that January that he would not run for an 11th term.<ref name="Twenty"/> Maffei won the seat in November.<ref name="Twenty"/>

Political views

Walsh is generally thought of as a conservative Republican in his views and perspectives on political issues.

In the 109th Congress, Walsh voted along Republican party lines for 84% of his votes.<ref>The U.S. Congress votes database: James T. Walsh Template:Webarchive, The Washington Post, Washington, DC: The Washington Post, Undated, Retrieved 21 January 2014.</ref> In the 110th Congress, Walsh's votes placed him as a centrist between Democrats and Republicans.<ref>Rep. James "Jim" Walsh, GovTrack.us, Washington, DC: Civic Impulse, LLC, Undated, Retrieved 21 January 2014.</ref>

Throughout his twenty years in Congress, Walsh introduced 53 bills, co-sponsored nearly 1,700 bills, and enacted 10 bills.<ref>James T. Walsh Template:Webarchive, Watchdog.net, Undated, Retrieved 21 January 2014.</ref>

Tenure and political positions

The War in Iraq

On September 10, 2007, Walsh stated that he favors a gradual withdrawal of American forces from Iraq.<ref name="Twenty"/><ref name="Iraq">Jim Walsh wants to bring the soldiers home, Peace Corps Online, 13 September 2007, Dawson, E., Retrieved 16 January 2014.</ref><ref name="Troops"/> This announcement came months after Walsh opposed President George W. Bush's troop surge of 2007.<ref name="Twenty"/> Walsh claims that it was a result of personally going to Iraq,<ref name="Twenty"/><ref name="Iraq" /><ref name="Troops"/> and finding that the Iraqi government and military have not done enough on their end.<ref name="Troops"/>

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Walsh supported a bipartisan bill that would set a withdrawal<ref name="Iraq" /><ref name="Troops"/> date for American troops to leave Iraq.

Veterans affairs

MilQual budget appropriations

As Chair of the Appropriation's Committee's Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies during the 109th Congress,<ref name="Vote"/> Walsh chaired Chair of MilQual,<ref name="Vote"/> the third largest of the 10 appropriations budgets at approximately $115 billion.<ref name="Vote"/> In that capacity, Walsh had spending oversight for the Department of Veterans Affairs,<ref name="Vote"/> Defense health programs,<ref name="Vote"/> as well as all Department of Defense installation construction/improvement, and military family housing accounts.<ref name="Vote"/>

Healthcare improvements for veterans

Walsh secured improvements in care for American veterans, particularly those in the Syracuse, New York area.<ref name="Vets">Congressman James T. Walsh: Veterans affairs Template:Webarchive, St. Bonaventure University Friedsam Memorial Library archives, St. Bonaventure, NY, Spring 2009, Kelvie, B., Retrieved 19 January 2014.</ref> Included in federal funding secured by Walsh was $3.8 million that was used in the construction of the Syracuse Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center Emergency Department,<ref name="Vets"/> as well as $3.5 million for the medical center's MRI facility,<ref name="Vets"/> and additional federal monies for the Spinal Cord Injury Center addition in 2008.<ref name="Vets"/>

Hancock Air National Guard Base

Walsh proposed many bills aimed at funding for, and was supportive of, the Hancock Air National Guard Base in Syracuse during his tenure in Congress.<ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Hearing" /><ref name="Care" /> The base was constructed in 1941 during World War II shortly after the attacks on Pearl Harbor.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> Originally known as the Syracuse Army Air Base (a.k.a. Mattydale Bomber Base), the base was renamed after Congressman Clarence E. Hancock and now serves as the home of the New York Air National Guard 174 Attack Wing (formerly 174 Fighter Wing), known as Hancock Field ANG Base. Syracuse Hancock International Airport, serving more than 2 million air travelers each year, is located across the street from the Hancock Field.<ref name="Bonnie"/>

2008 National Military Appreciation Month event

Walsh attended an event on Capitol Hill in May 2008 to recognize National Military Appreciation Month.<ref name="Care">USO to host Capitol Hill care package stuffing event: Congress and USO team up to support the troops as part of National Military Appreciation Month Template:Webarchive, US Congressman Jeff Miller, US House of Representatives, 22 May 2008, Retrieved 18 January 2014.</ref> Several United Service Organizations (USO) groups, including members of the USO Congressional Caucus, USO World Board of Governors, USO World Strategic Partners, Congress members, and senior military officials came together to fill 3,000 Operation USO Care Packages for American troops overseas,<ref name="Care" /> as well as to recognize the nearly 70-year history of the USO.<ref name="Care" /> The USO is a non-profit organization that provides welfare, morale, and recreational services to American military personnel and their families.<ref name="Care" />

Healthcare and related issues

Hearing health

Walsh was active in the passage of an act that guaranteed hearing screenings for newborns and infants.<ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Vote"/><ref name="Hearing">42 USC 280g-1: Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment regarding hearing loss in newborns and infants Template:Webarchive, United States Code, Washington, DC: United States House of Representatives, Undated, Retrieved 18 January 2014.</ref> In 1991, Walsh sponsored and introduced the Hearing Loss Testing Act.<ref name="Library">Congressman James T. Walsh: Newborn and infant hearing screening Template:Webarchive, St. Bonaventure University: Friedsam Memorial Library archives, St. Bonaventure, NY, Spring 2009, Retrieved 19 January 2014.</ref> The Newborn and Infant Screening and Intervention Program Act was authored and sponsored, mainly, by Walsh in 1999.<ref name="Vote"/><ref name="Library"/> On March 11, 2009, the act was renamed as the James T. Walsh Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program,<ref name="Hearing" /> and was identified within 42 United States Code 280g-1.<ref name="Hearing" /> The Act is for "the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment regarding hearing loss in newborns and infants," and includes several provisions so that these endeavors may be accomplished.<ref name="Hearing" />

Child nutrition

As a leader in child nutrition in the US, Walsh is nationally recognized through his support of both The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Women with Infants and Children program (WIC).<ref name="Vote"/> In the US House of Representatives, Walsh also sponsored the Hunger Has a Cure bill.<ref name="Vote"/>

Stem cell research

Walsh has been an advocate of stem cell research, although he is opposed to using embryos as a source of the stem cells for such research.<ref name="Journal">Jim's journal, entry #060720: Stem cell research, US House of Representatives, Walsh, J.T., 2006.</ref> Walsh explained in his former congressional blog in entry #2 about these of his perspectives regarding stem cell research.<ref name="Journal"/><ref name="Blog">Congressman James T. Walsh: Congressman Walsh's online journal 2006–2008 Template:Webarchive, St. Bonaventure University Friedsam Memorial Library Archives, St. Bonaventure, NY, Spring 2009, Retrieved 19 January 2014.</ref> In votes recorded from 1996 to 2007,<ref name="Research">James Walsh's voting records on issue: Stem cell research, Project Vote Smart, Philipsburg, MT, Retrieved 16 January 2014.</ref> however, he has consistently voted against bills regarding stem cell research,<ref name="Research"/> human cloning,<ref name="Research"/> and human embryo research.<ref name="Research"/>

Ireland, Northern Ireland, Peace Process, and Walsh Visa

File:Congressman James Walsh chats with the Prime Minister of Ireland, Bertie Ahern.jpg

Walsh with Bertie Ahern in 2002

Walsh is also known for his active and consistent efforts at supporting peace for Northern Ireland.<ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Twenty"/><ref name="Vote"/> In 1995, Walsh was the chair of an historic delegation from Congress to Northern Ireland with President Bill Clinton, being the first visit of this type by a sitting US President.<ref name="Vote"/><ref name="Visa">Congressman James T. Walsh: Irish affairs Template:Webarchive, St. Bonaventure University Friedsam Memorial Library archives, St. Bonaventure, NY, Spring 2009, Agan, M., Retrieved 19 January 2014.</ref> Following that time, Walsh led additional delegations, and was a Distinguished Delegation member, accompanying Clinton to Ireland in 1998 after the ratification of the Good Friday Agreement.<ref name="Vote"/><ref name="Visa"/>

Through his efforts at promoting peace in Northern Ireland in the 1990s,<ref name="Visa"/> created and established in 1998 was the Walsh Visa program,<ref name="Visa"/><ref name="Exchange">Embassy of the United States, Dublin – Ireland: Walsh Visa Program Template:Webarchive, Embassy of the United States, Dublin – Ireland, Washington, DC, Undated, Retrieved 19 January 2014.</ref> an exchange program for Irish adults to spend up to two years in the US,<ref name="Visa"/><ref name="Exchange"/> gaining enriching employment, educational, and conflict resolution experiences.<ref name="Visa"/> The Walsh Visa program, also known as The Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program,<ref name="Exchange"/> was sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of European Affairs, ending in 2008.<ref name="Exchange"/>

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In 2006, Walsh and both Congress Members Brian Higgins and Tim Murphy met with several government leaders in Ireland in which there was a confirmation announcement of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) weapons decommissioning.<ref name="Ireland">Congressman Higgins returns from Irish peace talks and announces Gerry Adams visit to Buffalo, Congressman Brian Higgins Western New York, United States Congress, Cheektowaga, NY, 20 January 2006, Retrieved 17 January 2014.</ref> Government leaders with whom the three congress members met included Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Hain, US Ambassador to Ireland James C. Kenny, US Ambassador to the United Kingdom Robert H. Tuttle, and the leadership of each of the main political parties involved in the process for peace.<ref name="Ireland"/>

In 2019, Walsh alongside a number of other Irish American political and civil society figures founded the bipartisan Ad Hoc Committee to Protect the Good Friday Agreement.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He currently serves as co-chair of the committee alongside fellow co-chair, Democrat Bruce Morrison.

Immigration

Further, Walsh made efforts to assist many immigrants in the United States with obtaining citizenship.<ref name="Twenty"/>

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The environment

Global warming

In 2004, Walsh was among co-sponsors of a US House bill to combat global warming.<ref name="Warming">Van Hollen and bipartisan coalition introduce global warming bill Template:Webarchive, Congressman Chris Van Hollen, US House of Representatives, Washington, DC, 30 March 2004, Retrieved 18 January 2014.</ref> The bill was the first of its kind to be introduced in the US House of Representatives.<ref name="Warming"/>

Erie Canal and Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

In 2005, Walsh and Congress Member Brian Higgins worked together on a bipartisan approach to seeking funding for the redefinition of the New York State Canal System to be associated with the Erie Canal and Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Act of 2000.<ref name="Canal">Higgins adds support for Erie Canal Heritage Act Template:Webarchive, Congressman Brian Higgins Western New York, Washington, DC: United States Congress, 12 May 2005, Retrieved 18 January 2014.</ref>

Onondaga Lake clean-up

A supporter of cleaning up<ref name="Board"/><ref name="Blog"/><ref name="Onondaga">Congressman James T. Walsh: Onondaga Lake Template:Webarchive, St. Bonaventure University Friedsam Memorial Library archives, St. Bonaventure, NY, Spring 2009, Bemis, K., Retrieved 19 January 2014.</ref> Onondaga Lake<ref name="Board"/><ref name="Blog"/><ref name="Onondaga"/> in New York State near Syracuse, Walsh achieved the securing of $160 million in federal funds for the effort.<ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Board"/> Following many years of pollution by industrial waste and sewage overflow,<ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Onondaga"/> the lake had become a public hazard.<ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Onondaga"/> The clean-up efforts have vastly improved the water quality of the lake, having reduced pollution and improved sewage treatment,<ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Onondaga"/> as well as contributing to the area's economic value through tourism.<ref name="Onondaga"/>

US Botanic Garden restoration

Walsh also led the restoration effort of the historic US Botanic Garden, one of the oldest in North America.<ref name="Vote"/>

Peace Corps expansion

In 1998, the US House of Representatives considered expanding the Peace Corps,<ref name="Nepal"/> and Walsh spoke in Nepalese in a statement to the Committee on International Relations,<ref name="Nepal"/> expressing about his experiences as well as his support for the expansion of the program.<ref name="Nepal"/>

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Federal funding for technology-related projects

Throughout his tenure in Congress, Walsh secured numerous technology-related grants, federal monies, and support valued at hundreds of millions of dollars<ref name="Technology">Congressman James T. Walsh: Technology Template:Webarchive, St. Bonaventure University Friedsam Memorial Library archives, St. Bonaventure, NY, Spring 2009, Barthomay, R., Retrieved 19 January 2014.</ref> for New York State<ref name="Technology"/> and other states in America, a few of which include Michigan,<ref name="Technology"/> Tennessee,<ref name="Technology"/> and Florida.<ref name="Technology"/>

Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative

In 1999, Walsh issued a challenge called The Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative (SNI) in support of these endeavors.<ref name="City"/> Goals of the Initiative included: "1) To position our neighborhoods to successfully compete for investment; 2) To improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods; 3) To strengthen community; [and] 4) To help neighborhood residents to build assets."<ref name="City"/>

In 2004, Walsh secured nearly $5 million in federal funding for the SNI's Phase VI continued revitalization efforts for the City of Syracuse.<ref name="SNI">Honeywell donation supports Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative Park Avenue Revitalization Project: $200,000 will help refurbish homes and provide neighborhood improvements, Honeywell: Onondaga Lake Cleanup, Syracuse, NY: Honeywell International, Inc., 20 March 2006, Retrieved 21 January 2014.</ref>

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The year 2008 saw Walsh's efforts for SNI achieve $1.2 million in federal funding for Phase VIII of the project.<ref name="Eight">Six Syracuse neighborhoods share $1.2 million to improve housing, The Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY: Syracuse Media Group, 31 March 2008, Sieh, M., Retrieved 21 January 2014.</ref> At that time, Walsh had secured more than $50 million in federal housing funding for the revitalization and improvement program.<ref name="Eight"/>

Higher education institutional support

St. Bonaventure University

Included in the receipt of federal funds proposed by Walsh was his alma mater, St. Bonaventure University,<ref name="Technology"/> in the construction and establishment of the William F. Walsh Science Center,<ref name="Technology"/> named in honor of his father, in 2006,<ref name="Technology"/> as well as for the renovation of the university's existing science building, De La Roche Hall.<ref name="Technology"/> Federal monies secured with his assistance for the Walsh Science Center totaled approximately $10 million,<ref name="Technology"/> while nearly $1 million was obtained through HUD for refurbishment of De La Roche Hall.<ref name="Technology"/>

Rochester Institute of Technology

Walsh has supported endeavors for the development of technology at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), as announced in a 2001 press release from the Office of Congress Member Louise Slaughter.<ref name="RIT">News Release: Reps. Slaughter and Walsh announce $1.5 million for Rochester Institute of Technology Template:Webarchive, Representative Louise Slaughter, Washington, DC, 31 July 2001, Retrieved 17 January 2014.</ref> Walsh and Slaughter announced that the House had passed a measure to provide the monies to RIT for the development of the Forest Fires Imaging Experimental System (FIRES), an experimental early warning and detection system regarding forest fires.<ref name="RIT"/>

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Syracuse University

Walsh is considered an influential figure in the sustaining of Syracuse University (SU). He has helped get funding for many projects run by SU, including Chancellor Nancy Cantor's Connective Corridor project.

Online poker and Internet gambling

Walsh is a staunch advocate of a federal prohibition of online poker. In 2006, he cosponsored House Resolution (H.R.) 4411, the Goodlatte-Leach Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act<ref>HR 4411: Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act Template:Webarchive, The Library of Congress, Washington, DC, 13 July 2006, Retrieved 17 January 2014.</ref> and H.R. 4777, the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act.<ref>HR: 4777: Internet Gambling Prohibition Act Template:Webarchive, The Library of Congress, Washington, DC, 22 September 2006, Retrieved 17 January 2014.</ref>

Endorsement of Rudy Giuliani for President in 2008

Walsh was also a prominent endorser of Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign.<ref name="Pres">Rudy Giuliani-Organization, New York, Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee, 17 October 2007, Retrieved 17 January 2014.</ref>

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Official congressional blog

No longer maintained by the US House of Representatives since Walsh is not currently a congress member is his official congressional blog of two years, from 2006 to 2008.<ref name="Blog"/> Walsh titled his congressional blog, "Jim's Journal,"<ref name="Blog"/> and it consisted of 24 entries on various political topics.<ref name="Blog"/> Walsh created the congressional blog to better-inform his constituents about his perspectives.<ref name="Blog"/> Brief summaries of Walsh's congressional blog are currently housed in the Friedsam Memorial Library Archives<ref name="Blog"/> of his alma mater, St. Bonaventure University.<ref name="Blog"/>

Committee assignments and duties

Despite the growing Democratic trend in his district, Walsh was able to hold onto his seat due to his long tenure on the House Appropriations Committee.<ref name="Vote"/><ref name="Planes">Walsh Letter to Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne regarding M-16s and MQ-9s Template:Webarchive, St. Bonaventure University Friedsam Memorial Library archives, St. Bonaventure, NY, 23 May 2006, Walsh, J.T., Retrieved 19 January 2014.</ref><ref name="RIT"/><ref name="Committee">Hearing of the Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process on biennial budgeting: Statement of Congressman James T. Walsh Template:Webarchive, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Rules, Washington, DC, Undated, Retrieved 17 January 2014.</ref><ref name="Washington">Former Congressman James Walsh is now free to lobby, The Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY: Syracuse Media Group, 9 February 2010, Weiner, M., Retrieved 18 January 2014.</ref><ref name="Barney">Letter to Walsh and Mollohan from Barney Frank regarding Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, US House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services, 10 November 2004, Frank, B., Retrieved 18 January 2014.</ref> He was chairman of the Subcommittees on the Departments of Veterans Affairs,<ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Planes"/><ref name="Barney"/> and Housing and Urban Development,<ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Vote"/><ref name="RIT"/><ref name="Committee"/><ref name="Barney"/> and Independent Agencies from 2001 to 2007,<ref name="Vote"/><ref name="Barney"/> thus making him one of the so-called "College of Cardinals," or "Cardinals of Spending,"<ref name="Vets"/> of the House due to his influence on national spending policies.<ref name="Vote"/><ref name="Vets"/> It is considered very difficult to unseat an Appropriations Committee member, especially if the member is a "Cardinal."

• Assistant Majority Whip,<ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Board"/><ref name="Planes"/> 1994–2006<ref name="Gates"/>

• United States House Committee on Appropriations<ref name="Votesmart" /><ref name="Board" /><ref name="Vote" /><ref name="Planes" /><ref name="RIT" /><ref name="Committee" /><ref name="Washington" /><ref name="Barney" /> 1993–2009<ref name="Gates" />
  • Chair, United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on District of Columbia<ref name="Gates" /><ref name="Board" />
  • Chair, United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Legislative Branch<ref name="Gates" /><ref name="Board" />
  • Chair, Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies<ref name="Bonnie" /><ref name="Board" /><ref name="Vote" /><ref name="Barney" />
  • Chair, United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans' Affairs<ref name="Board" /><ref name="Planes" />
  • Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies<ref name="Vote" /><ref name="Planes" /><ref name="Committee" /><ref>Lewis announces Appropriations Subcommittee assignments and ranking members Template:Webarchive, Appropriations Committee, Washington, DC, 11 January 2007, Lewis, J., Retrieved 18 January 2014.</ref><ref>Letter from Maloney and Miller to Obey and Walsh regarding OSHA, Congress of the United States, Washington, DC, 4 June 2008, Maloney, C.B., & Miller, G., Retrieved 18 January 2014.</ref>
  • Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies<ref name="Bonnie" /><ref name="Board" /><ref name="Vote" /><ref name="RIT" /><ref name="Committee" /><ref name="Barney" />
• Member, United States House Committee on Agriculture<ref name="Gates" /><ref name="Board" /><ref name="Blog" />
• Member, '[United States House Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families]]<ref name="Gates" /><ref name="Board" />
• Member, United States House Committee on House Administration<ref name="Gates" /><ref name="Board" />
• Co-Founder and Co-Chair, Congressional Hearing Health Caucus<ref name="Votesmart" />
• Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs<ref name="Votesmart" /><ref name="Vote" /><ref name="Planes" /><ref name="Source">Jim Walsh Template:Webarchive, Source Watch, Undated, Retrieved 26 January 2014.</ref>
• Friends of Ireland<ref name="Vote" /><ref name="Planes" /><ref name="Source" />
• Co-Chair of the US-Irish Interparliamentary Group<ref name="Votesmart" /><ref name="Vote" />
• Army Caucus<ref name="Votesmart" /><ref name="Source" />
• Congressional Automotive Caucus<ref name="Votesmart" /><ref name="Source" />
• Congressional Boating Caucus<ref name="Votesmart" />
• Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus<ref name="Votesmart" /><ref name="Source" />
• Congressional Caucus on Unfunded Mandates<ref name="Votesmart" /><ref name="Source" />
• Congressional Competitiveness Caucus<ref name="Votesmart" />
• Congressional Fire Services Caucus<ref name="Votesmart" /><ref name="Source" />
• Congressional Steel Caucus<ref name="Votesmart" /><ref name="Source" />
• Minor League Baseball Caucus<ref name="Votesmart" /><ref name="Source" />
• National Guard & Reserve Components Congressional Members Organization<ref name="Votesmart" /><ref name="Source" />

Honors and awards

In 2002, Walsh received a 2002 Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his efforts in working to promote the Irish Peace Process.<ref name="Board"/><ref name="Vote"/> The award was presented to Walsh by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations,<ref name="Vote"/> headquartered in New York City.<ref name="Achievements">K & L Gates: James T. Walsh: Government affairs counselor: Additional background Template:Webarchive, K & L Gates, Washington, DC: K & L Gates, 2014, Retrieved 19 January 2014.</ref>

In June 2003, The Center of Excellence in Environmental Systems,<ref>Congressman Walsh wins Carrier Award, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 2003.</ref> an industry group, presented Congressman Walsh with the Syracuse University Willis H. Carrier Award. This award serves to honor Walsh for his years of service and commitment to protecting the environment and for helping to foster an economic hub for environmental technology through his financial support of the Center of Excellence in Environmental Systems (CoE-ES) and the New York Indoor Environmental Quality Center (NYIEQ).

Walsh has also received many additional awards, including the Exemplary Legislator Award from the Washington, DC National Alliance on Mental Illness – Veterans Council in 2006;<ref name="Achievements"/> Legislator of the Year from Washington, DC's Congressional Fire Services Institute in 2004;<ref name="Board"/><ref name="Achievements"/> and Distinguished Service Award from The American Ireland Fund in Washington, DC in 2001.<ref name="Board"/><ref name="Achievements"/>

Further, he was honored with the Capital Award from the National Council of La Raza in Washington, DC in 2001;<ref name="Achievements"/> Affordable Housing Champion from the National Council of State Housing Agencies in Washington, DC in 2000;<ref name="Board"/><ref name="Achievements"/> and the Flax Trust Award from Flax Trust in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1997.<ref name="Board"/><ref name="Achievements"/>

Walsh also received the John Philip Sousa Distinguished Service Award in recognition for his efforts at preserving the historic Congressional Cemetery.<ref name="Board"/>

In 2013, Walsh, along with his wife, were honored by Le Moyne College at the school's annual Founder's Day Gala, where they received the Simon Le Moyne Award for outstanding leadership to the benefit of society.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Given every year since 1968, the Simon Le Moyne Award represents the ideals and educational standards exemplified by the man whose name the College and the award signify. The Reverend Simon Le Moyne, a French Jesuit, was the first white man to visit the Syracuse area when the Onondaga Indians inhabited it. Father Le Moyne established the first mission among the Onondagas in 1654. During the same year, Father Le Moyne learned of the salt wells whose economic importance to the development of the City of Syracuse is an intrinsic part of its history. Ideally, the recipient of the Simon Le Moyne Award should be a person(s) cut of the same cloth as Father Le Moyne, an ambassador of peace and a person of faith.

Reflections of others

Rudy Giuliani has worked with Walsh, and made a statement in 2007 regarding his work with him.<ref name="Support" /><ref name="Mayor">Congressman Jim Walsh announces support for Mayor Giuliani Template:Webarchive, 4 President.org, 7 March 2007, Retrieved 17 January 2014.</ref>

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Retirement and post-congressional work

After retiring from the U.S. House, Walsh became a lobbyist and government affairs counselor for K & L Gates in Washington, DC.<ref name="Gates"/><ref name="Board"/><ref name="Washington"/><ref name="Lobbyist">Former Rep. James Walsh named a top lobbyist in Washington, The Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY: Syracuse Media Group, 9 November 2013, Weiner, M., Retrieved 16 January 2014.</ref> K & L Gates is a law firm that maintains 48 offices throughout the world on five continents.<ref name="Lobbyist"/>

Walsh has consistently been included on The Hill's list of Top Lobbyists in 2013, 2014, and 2015.<ref name="Lobbyist"/> Individuals named to this list have proven themselves as being able "to make things happen in Washington."<ref name="Lobbyist"/>

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Community involvement

Walsh is active as a board member in several community organizations,<ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Vote"/><ref name="Source" /> with some having included Vera House,<ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Vote"/><ref name="Source" /> the Erie Canal Museum,<ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Board"/><ref name="Vote"/><ref name="Source" /> the Syracuse Children's Chorus,<ref name="Vote"/> and the Everson Museum of Art.<ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Vote"/><ref name="Source" /> He is also a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership<ref name="Vote"/> and ConservAmerica, formerly known as the Republicans for Environmental Protection.<ref name="Vote"/><ref name="Source" />

Additionally, Walsh is a supporter of the Destiny USA project in Syracuse. Walsh has also been a member of the 9 Mile Republican Club,<ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Source" /> an advisory council member for Catholic Schools,<ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Source" /> and Director of RESULTS, a group that is committed to ending hunger and fighting poverty.<ref name="Source" />

Walsh is currently treasurer and board member of the US Association of Former Members of Congress.<ref name="Achievements"/> He is also a member of the board of directors of the Washington Ireland Program;<ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Achievements"/> Cooperation Ireland;<ref name="Board"/><ref name="Achievements"/> the Onondaga Environmental Institute;<ref name="Board"/><ref name="Achievements"/> the US Soccer Foundation;<ref name="Board"/><ref name="Achievements"/> the Finger Lakes Land Trust;<ref name="Achievements"/> and the American League of Lobbyists.<ref name="Achievements"/> Additional board memberships include those with the Otisco Lake Association,<ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Board"/> the Onondaga Anglers Association,<ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Board"/> and the Oneida Lake Association.<ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Board"/>

Personal life

Walsh is married to wife, DeDe,<ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Twenty"/><ref name="Politician"/><ref name="Board"/><ref name="Vote"/> and has three adult children,<ref name="Board"/><ref name="Vote"/> Jed, Ben, and Maureen.<ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Twenty"/><ref name="Politician"/> Ben Walsh refused to affiliate with the Republican Party and, when he chose to run for Mayor of Syracuse in 2017, did so on two minor party lines, the Independence Party of New York and Reform Party of New York State; in what was generally seen as an upset, Ben Walsh defeated Democratic Party frontrunner Juanita Perez Williams.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

For recreation, Walsh enjoys skiing,<ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Vote"/> hunting,<ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Vote"/> and fishing.<ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Vote"/> In Syracuse, Walsh attended Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church.<ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Vote"/>

Walsh is the son of William and Mary Walsh.<ref name="Bonnie"/> Walsh's father, William F. Walsh,<ref name="Bio"/><ref name="Bonnie"/><ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Vote"/><ref name="Father">Walsh, William Francis, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, Washington, DC: US Congress, Undated, Retrieved 21 January 2014.</ref><ref name="Notice">William F. Walsh, former Syracuse mayor and congressman, dies at 98, The Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY: Syracuse Media Group, 8 January 2011, Weiner, M., Retrieved 21 January 2014.</ref> served as Mayor of Syracuse from 1961 to 1969,<ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Twenty"/><ref name="Father"/><ref name="Notice"/> and represented both Central New York and the Finger Lakes region in the US House of Representatives from 1973 to 1979.<ref name="Votesmart"/><ref name="Father"/><ref name="Notice"/>

External links

• Template:CongBio
• Template:C-SPAN
• James T. Walsh: Government affairs counselor Template:Webarchive

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