About Sam

From 1981 to 2000, Congressman Sam Gejdenson served the people and communities of eastern Connecticut in the U.S. House of Representatives. He distinguished himself as a passionate advocate for children, senior citizens, and working families in the United States and abroad. Gejdenson fought to bring modern technology to all schools and to make college more affordable. He also worked to enhance retirement security, to create jobs at home by promoting the export of American-made goods and services, and to protect the environment for future generations to enjoy.

Gejdenson, who served as the senior Democrat on the House International Relations Committee, worked to promote U.S. exports, further the causes of human rights and peace around the world, and ensure that U.S. trade policy reflected fundamental American values about workers' rights and environmental protection. During his tenure on the International Relations Committee, Congressman Gejdenson authored comprehensive legislative initiatives aimed at assisting American companies in accessing foreign markets and boosting American exports including: the Exports Administration Act and the International Anti-corruption and Good Governance Act--both of which were signed into law.

Throughout his tenure in Congress, Gejdenson has been a leader on human rights and democracy, ensuring that U.S. foreign policy reflected the values and compassion of the American people. He is known throughout the world for his efforts to curb international trafficking of women and children and promote self-help programs for the poor through micro-credit assistance.

Gejdenson, the first child of Holocaust survivors elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, was born in 1948 in an American displaced persons camp in Eschwege, Germany. He received an A.S. degree from Mitchell College in New London, Connecticut in 1968 and a B.A. from the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut in 1970. In 1974, he was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives, serving two terms before accepting a post in the administration of Connecticut Governor Ella T. Grasso. He is married to Betsy Henley-Cohn, and they are the parents of four children: Mia and Ari Gejdenson and Juri and Jesse Henley-Cohn. Gejdenson is now involved in international trade in his own company Sam Gejdenson International.