John Forbes Kerry is the junior United States Senator from Massachusetts.
Kerry first rose to prominence as a decorated Vietnam War vet who returned from service as an outspoken critic of the war as a member of Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW). Kerry was awarded several medals during his second tour of Vietnam, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts.
In 1972, Kerry made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Congress from his home state of Massachusetts. After his defeat, he attended Boston College Law School, earning his J.D. in 1976. He would serve for a time as a prosecutor with the District Attorney of Middlesex County and then open his own private practice.
Kerry returned to politics in 1982, winning a close race for Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor. In 1984, he ran and for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts. During his Senate career, Kerry has sponsored or cosponsored dozens of bills. Some of his notable bills have addressed small business concerns, education, terrorism, veterans? and POW-MIA issues, marine resource protection and other topics. Of those bills with his sponsorship, as of December 2004, 11 have been signed into law.
In 2004, Kerry ran for and won the Democratic Presidential nomination. He was defeated in the 2004 presidential election by the Republican incumbent President George W. Bush. Senator Kerry is currently the Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kerry
