PARSIPPANY — Representative Rodney F. Frelinghuysen spoke about national security and economic growth during the weekly Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany breakfast meeting.
Rodney P. Frelinghuysen is serving his eleventh term as the Representative for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. In the 114th Congress, Frelinghuysen serves as New Jersey’s senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and on three key appropriations subcommittees: Energy and Water Development, Homeland Security and Defense, where he serves as Chairman.
Frelinghuysen represents 54 municipalities in the 11th Congressional District, including Parsippany-Troy Hills and other communities in Morris, Sussex, Passaic, and Essex Counties.
Throughout his time in Congress, Frelinghuysen has worked to lower taxes and provide for a strong national defense. He has been a tireless advocate for New Jersey priorities earning the title “New Jersey’s ‘Go-to-Guy.’” from the New York Times. Frelinghuysen strongly advocates for New Jersey, focusing on the expansion of mass transit, improving homeland security, preserving open space, creating jobs and opportunities, and supporting our military personnel and our veterans.
Frelinghuysen graduated from Hobart College in 1969. After graduation, Frelinghuysen completed basic training at New Jersey’s Fort Dix and served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army. He was a member of the 93rd Engineering Battalion (Construction) stationed in the Mekong Delta.
After returning home from Vietnam in 1971, Frelinghuysen began his work on behalf of the people of New Jersey when he became Morris County’s State and Federal Aid Coordinator and Administrative Assistant. From 1974 to 1983, Frelinghuysen served three-terms as a member of the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, where he was chosen as its director in 1980.
Frelinghuysen went on to serve in the New Jersey General Assembly in 1983. He served as Chairman of the Assembly Appropriations Committee from 1988-89 and again from 1992 to 1994. In Trenton, our state capital, Frelinghuysen created a record as one of the most fiscally conservative members of the legislature.
He also quickly built a reputation for outstanding service to his constituents. Through countless events in communities across the 11th District, Rodney actively seeks out and listens to the opinions and advice of his constituents. He holds regular town hall meetings, visits dozens of schools, attends hundreds of community events, and personally responds to over 75,000 letters, emails, faxes and telephone calls each year.
In 1995, Frelinghuysen was sworn in as a member of the United States House of Representatives. He was immediately selected to serve on the House Appropriations Committee, which oversees all aspects of the federal budget, because of his Appropriations experience in Trenton.
Frelinghuysen serves as Chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. Through his work on this subcommittee, Frelinghuysen has become a well respected voice on foreign, military and intelligence affairs. He has made numerous trips to Afghanistan and the Middle East to see the situation through the lens of those New Jerseyans serving our nation.
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany meets weekly on Thursday at 7:15 a.m. at Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46. For more information, click here.
