Jim Battin brought to the California State Legislature a deep concern for family, dedication to community service and a commitment to a strong economy. Those principles were reflected not only in his legislative agenda - which focused on protecting children and families, creating jobs and helping lift people out of poverty - but also in his life. Jim was born and raised in Billings, Montana. Growing up in the Big Sky country gave him an appreciation and respect for nature and the wilderness. All throughout his youth, Jim was an avid sportsman - backpacking, fishing and hunting regularly. However, being the son of five-term Congressman and then U.S. District Court Judge James F. Battin, Jim spent his early years in Washington, D.C., where he was introduced to politics at a very young age. Jim often played in then-Congressman Gerald Ford's backyard, and knew Bob Dole as one of his father's congressional freshman classmates. In 1969, Jim's father was appointed to the federal bench, becoming the very first appointment of President Nixon's administration, and eventually became the longest serving judge in the nation - serving 27 years as the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court in Montana. Jim's father passed away in 1996, and in his honor, the Federal Courthouse in Billings, Montana, has been renamed the James F. Battin U.S. District Courthouse.When Jim was just six years old, he accompanied his father to brunch at the White House, where he met President Richard Nixon. "There I stood, looking up at the President of the United States as he stood talking to my father, shaking the hand of a six-year-old the entire time‚ it seemed like forever," Jim remembers. "That's an incredible experience at any age." Jim is proud to follow in his late father's footsteps. Jim was raised to understand and appreciate the value of a good education. In high school he competed on the school's debate team - ranking third in the state his junior year and winning the state championship his senior year, qualifying him for the National Championship, which he competed in. "Debating was a great experience - it taught me to think fast, and argue smart," said Jim. "I have found that it comes in very handy in the State Legislature." Jim later attended the University of Oregon, where he earned a degree in Psychology. It was during his college years that he met and later married his wife Mary. Jim and Mary moved to Riverside County in 1985, where they are raising their three children: Christopher, Bailey, and Kelsey. Before running for office in the Legislature, Jim worked as a television executive for 10 years with KMIR-TV, the NBC television affiliate in Palm Desert. During this time Jim also began his long "career" as a community volunteer, most notably as the driving force behind 'Bringing Home the Holidays', the largest food donation program in the Coachella Valley at the time. He also became a board member of Martha's Kitchen, a meal-distribution program for those in need, and participated in the Youth Education Motivation Program, where business people share with students their "secrets of success in the world of work." Jim also has been active in Junior Achievement, working with his wife to instill the entrepreneurial spirit in elementary school children. Jim was elected to the State Assembly in 1994 and to the Senate in 2000 with broad bi-partisan support. He ran on a platform that included government reform and accountability - issues he holds near and dear to his heart. In 1994, Jim was named Caucus Whip for the new Republican majority in the Assembly. The next year he became the Majority Caucus Chairman, and served within the leadership ranks of his caucus. As Caucus Chair, Jim directed Republican policy strategy, floor operations, managed the caucus and kept members informed about legislation. In the Senate, Jim served both as the Vice-Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and as Vice-Chair of the Senate Rules Committee. As a Senator, Jim worked to create jobs for Californians by streamlining government regulations and reducing the high tax burden that makes it difficult for California businesses to remain competitive. Throughout his legislative career, Jim fought to defend Proposition 13, supported tax cuts for individuals, families and businesses while never voting for higher taxes.