MENÉNDEZ, Robert, a Representative and Senator from New Jersey; born in New York, N.Y., on January 1, 1954; graduated from Union Hill High School, Union Hill, N.J., 1972; B.A., Saint Peter’s College, Jersey City, N.J., 1976; J.D., Rutgers University School of Law, Newark, N.J., 1979; lawyer, private practice; member of the Union City, N.J., board of education 1974-1978, and chief financial officer 1978-1982; mayor of Union City, N.J., 1986-1992; member of the New Jersey state general assembly 1987-1991; member of the New Jersey state senate 1991-1993; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Third and to the six succeeding Congresses, and served from January 3, 1993, to January 17, 2006, when he resigned to become a U.S. senator; chair, House Democratic Caucus (One Hundred Eighth through One Hundred Ninth Congresses); appointed to the United States Senate to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Jon S. Corzine, and took the oath of office on January 18, 2006.