Matthew Vincente Santos is the current President of the United States. He was elected in 2006, and is the first Hispanic American to serve in that position. ("Tomorrow") He is based on Barack Obama and possibly, in the case of his military record, John Kerry.
Biographical Information
Early life
Matt Santos was born in St. Joseph's Hospital in Houston, Texas. One of seven children born to Luis Santos and Marita Santos, Matt grew up in the Second Ward – the oldest Mexican-American neighborhood in Houston and home to six generations of the Santos family. Surrounded by his extended family, Matt was taught the value of kinship, of responsibility and service, and of the Roman Catholic faith – lessons he carries with him every day.
From the time he was able to add and subtract, Matt worked at his uncle's small hardware shop in the East End. It was a family business, and Matt fully expected to work there after graduation. But as he was entering his senior year at Austin High School, Matt met Sergeant Rick Alvarez, a Marine recruiter who was a permanent fixture on the local basketball court.
Marine Corps and Early Political Career
The Marines seemed like a good option for Matt, and his recruiter encouraged him to aim higher than regular enlistment. He applied for admission to the Naval Academy in Annapolis. To secure a nomination for the Academy, Matt visited the Houston office of his 18th District Congressman. He immediately took an interest in the politics, federal and local, that shaped his community. He knew, at that point, that he had found his calling.
After four years in the Academy, he graduated as a Marine Second Lieutenant, with a degree in engineering. He served his country as a fighter pilot in the Gulf, and then joined the Marine Reserves, where he has continued drilling and training for the last thirteen years. But Matt could not ignore the enticement of the political world he had glimpsed years before. He returned to Houston, where he quickly immersed himself in community service. Elected to City Council, Matt focused on revitalization projects for the Second Ward, where his extended family still lived. He founded a neighborhood watch program, and oversaw the rebuilding of several recreational facilities.
Two years later, Matthew Santos was elected mayor of Houston – the first Hispanic mayor the city had seen. Under his guidance, the city opened four new health clinics to serve Houston's families and created a new housing assistance program to make rent and bills more affordable for the city's two million residents.
US Representative
After four years at the helm of Houston, Matt was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and won reelection twice.
When he entered the House of Representatives, Matt Santos wanted to improve the daily lives of his 18th district constituents, and the lives of all Americans who, like him, needed some encouragement to succeed. During his tenure, he helped provide more education grants to low-income college students, and health insurance for millions of children. On the Ways and Means Committee, he led the movement for temporary assistance for needy families, and worked diligently on job creation and worker assistance for hardworking Americans.
Matt never forgot the lessons he learned as a young man in Houston – lessons in faith and perseverance that have fortified him through his political and lifelong journey. He seeked to serve the American people as he has served his family, his country, Houston and the 18th District of Texas.
Matthew Santos is married to Helen Santos, and together, they have two children, Peter and Miranda.
Run for Presidency
After passing a patients bill of rights, Josh Lyman in frustration to seeing current Vice President Bob Russel as a frontrunner for the Democratic ticket encouraged the congressman to run for President. While intially hesitant to run for office, Matt Santos decided to make his run for office on the condition that Josh will run the campaign.
While in the first stage of the campaign, Santos went to New Hampshire and made his first policy push - an extended school year. He proposed to the people of New Hampshire that they extend their school year from 180 days to 240 days.
Presidency
incomplete
Resume
Education
- 1979 : High School diploma - Austin High School
- 1983 : Engineering degree - United States Naval Academy (graduated valedictorian)
Work History
- 1960s-1979 : Worked at his uncle's hardware shop
Military History
- 1983-1993 : Pilot in the United States Marine Corps
- 1993-2007 : Pilot in the United States Marine Corps Reserve
Political History
- 1995-1997 : Councilman on Houston City Council
- 1997-2001 : Mayor of Houston
- 2001-2007 : US Representative for Texas' 18th District
- 2007-present : President of the United States
Reference
- [NBC.com]
- Santos/McGarry for a Brighter America
- http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/21/barackobama.uselections2008?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront
| PREDECESSOR Josiah Bartlet |
Democratic Party Presidential Candidate 2006 |
SUCCESSOR Incumbent |
| PREDECESSOR Josiah Bartlet |
President of the United States 2007- |
SUCCESSOR Incumbent |