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Senator Edd Houck - A Biography
 R. Edward “Edd" Houck was born in Smyth County, Virginia. He attended public schools in Smyth County and graduated from Marion High School. He subsequently attended Wytheville Community College, and received his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Education from Concord College and his M.Ed. from the University of Virginia.
As the son of a small businessman, Edd Houck was raised to appreciate the values of hard work and diligence. Early in life, he worked as a bookkeeper, construction worker and truck driver. Edd began his teaching career in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, as a middle-school science teacher. He has also been a guidance counselor, assistant principal, and the Director of Student Services for Fredericksburg City Public Schools. Earlier this year, Edd announced his retirement from the school system after 34 years of service as a public school educator. He is currently the Director of Corporate and Community Programs for MediCorp in Fredericksburg. Elected to the Virginia State Senate in 1983, Senator Houck currently serves on the Finance, Transportation, Rules, General Laws. Upon the commencement of the 2008 General Assembly Session, he will serve as Chairman of the Senate Education and Health Committee. He is the Chairman of the Freedom of Information Advisory Council and a member of the Joint Commission on Health Care and the Commission on Youth. In 2005, Sen. Houck was appointed to serve as one of five Senate representatives on the Budget Committee of Conference. This influential committee meets with its counterparts from the House of Delegates to reconcile differences between the House and Senate budgets and recommend a final budget bill to be sent to each House for approval. His recent awards include the Virginia Education Association Friend of Education Award (2007); Civil War Preservation Trust Legislative Hero (2007); State and National Friend of Cooperative Extension (2006); Virginia Treasurers' Association Legislator of the Year (2005), the Distinguished Friend of Agribusiness (2004); Legislative Hero for the Virginia League of Conservation Voters (2004); Psychiatric Society of Virginia Legislative Award (2003); Virginia Horse Council Legislator of the Year (2002); Virginia Academy of School Psychologists Legislator of the Year (2001); Virginia Coalition for Open Government Freedom of Information Award (2000); the Virginia Fraternal Order of Police Senator of the Year (2000); the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Distinguished Legislator Award (1999); and the Mental Health Association of Virginia Public Policy Award (1998). Senator Houck and his wife, Dana, have two grown children and live in Spotsylvania, Virginia. Dana serves as a physical education teacher at Courtland Elementary School in Spotsylvania. |