Bangor, Maine
United States Senator Susan Collins has established a record of integrity, unsurpassed work ethic, and a steadfast commitment to the people of Maine. Her willingness to reach across the aisle and her centrist, moderate approach has earned her the title of "The Most Bipartisan Republican" by her Senate colleagues.
Senator Collins brings these qualities to her work on her four important Senate Committees: Homeland Security, Armed Services, Appropriations, and Aging. She has authored landmark, bipartisan legislation to strengthen our nation and is an effective advocate for America's taxpayers and most vulnerable citizens.
Senator Collins has been named the "Greenest Republican" in the Senate for her record of standing for clean air, clean water, and clean energy. She is long-time supporter of measures to help small businesses to grow and create more jobs, earning a 100 percent rating from the nation's largest small business organization year after year.
Senator Collins has been a leader for education legislation, including authoring the law providing a tax deduction for teachers who spend their own money on classroom supplies. As a national leader in health care advocacy, she has worked to improve health care, particularly in rural areas, founded the Senate Diabetes Caucus, and serves as co-chair of the Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease.
Senator Collins has been a champion for women. She is a leader on issues of women's health and domestic violence, has worked for successful equal pay legislation, and is the author of legislation to create a privately funded National Women's History Museum in Washington, D.C.
Senator Collins' integrity, leadership, hard work, and dedication have earned honors from many professional and civic groups. In 2009, she received the University of Maine's Stillwater Presidential Award and the Distinguished Public Service Award, the Untied States Navy's highest civilian award. For her work on homeland security, she has also been honored by families who lost loved ones on September 11th, and by the American Association of Port Authorities. In addition, Senator Collins has been named "Guardian of Small Business" by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, "Legislator of the Year" by the American Diabetes Association, and has received honors from other groups ranging from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Association to the National School Boards Association.
Susan Margaret Collins was born in Caribou on December 7, 1952. Her family runs a fifth-generation lumber business, founded by her ancestors in 1844. Each of Senator Collins' parents has served as Mayor of Caribou, and her father served Maine as a State Senator. Her mother, Pat Collins, was inducted into the Maine Womens Hall of Fame in 2005 in recognition of her extensive public service.
Inducted 2011
