Lynn Martin, Class of 1957

President George H. W. Bush urged a group of 10,000 young people from all across the nation to make Lynn Martin their role model. “Watch her leadership in the United States Congress,” he said. “She’s tough, she’s strong and she exemplifies the very best in public service.”

Lynn graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Illinois in 1960 and taught high school economics, government and English in Rockford, Illinois.  Her political career  began in Northwestern Illinois in 1972 with her election to the Winnebago County Board. She served one term before being elected in 1976 to the Illinois House of Representatives. Her plain-spoken fiscal conservatism cemented her popularity, and she moved to the Illinois Senate in 1978 where she served until her election to the U.S. House in 1980.

Lynn has been lauded by such groups as the Watchdogs of the Treasury, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business and the National Taxpayers' Union for her efforts to extend opportunities to women.

The National Journal described Lynn Martin as one of the most influential Members of Congress. As early as 1984, U.S. News & World Report counted her among “10 political stars in the making,” destined to be the leaders of the future. She served as co-chair of the George Bush for President campaign--the only woman to do so--and has been Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference. In the 100th Congress, she led a successful bipartisan battle to extend to Congressional employees the same civil rights protection available to most other American workers. In the 101st Congress, she co-chaired the Bipartisan Ethics Task Force set up to review standards of official conduct for Members of Congress.

Lynn Martin has two daughters, Julia and Caroline. She is married to the Honorable Harry Leinenweber, U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois.