Nov. 19, 2009-Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) prepares for a House Financial Services Committee vote on his amendment to H.R. 3996, Financial Stability Improvement Act of 2009. The Himes Amendment would allow companies like GE Capital, which employs 7,000 workers in Connecticut, to continue financing their customers. For example, the amendment would help hospitals purchase MRIs made by GE’s industrial parent. The Committee, chaired by Barney Frank (D-MA), voted to pass the amendment. Although Rep. Himes is a freshman member of Congress, his experience in finance and the affordable housing give him the background to serve on the influential House Committee on Financial Services.

Nov. 19, 2009-Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) prepares for a House Financial Services Committee vote on his amendment to H.R. 3996, Financial Stability Improvement Act of 2009. The Himes Amendment would allow companies like GE Capital, which employs 7,000 workers in Connecticut, to continue financing their customers. For example, the amendment would help hospitals purchase MRIs made by GE’s industrial parent. The Committee, chaired by Barney Frank (D-MA), voted to pass the amendment. Although Rep. Himes is a freshman member of Congress, his experience in finance and the affordable housing give him the background to serve on the influential House Committee on Financial Services.

Nov. 19, 2009-Munire Jawed of Wilton, Conn., seeks advice from Rep. Himes about Rhodes Scholarship application process. “Never underestimate the power of making a personal connection,” Himes said as the two chatted in the Capitol’s Rayburn Room. After graduating from Harvard, Himes became a Rhodes Scholar and specialized in Latin American studies, particularly El Salvador, at Oxford University. Born in Lima, Peru to American parents, Himes is fluent in both English and Spanish. After his parents divorced, he moved to the U.S. with his mother and sister.

Nov. 19, 2009-Rep. Himes checks his computer after a Homeland Security hearing on domestic terrorism threats.

Nov. 19, 2009- “Jim Himes is very tall and walks very fast,” said his press secretary Elizabeth Kerr. And it’s true, Rep. Himes covers a lot of ground, quickly. When asked about his speediness, Rep. Himes said, “There’s not enough time in the world.” According to Himes, one day he wore a pedometer to work and clocked six miles. “And that was a slow day,” he said. Between hearings, votes and meetings, the Congressman’s day is so packed it’s tough to find time for a bite to eat, not to mention time to relax. But he still manages to hit the gym first thing in the morning and enjoys a glass of wine when he has time. When asked what he does to relax Congressman Himes said, “Two things on opposite ends of the medical spectrum, exercise and drinking a glass of wine.” He also enjoys staying up late reading legislation and spending time with his family.

Nov. 19, 2009-The first term Congressman meets with Michael Calhoun, president of the Center for Responsible Lending, Lisa Ranson, vice president of federal policy for CRL, and CRL consultant Paul Sweet. Chief of Staff Jason Cole is pictured in the foreground, left. The Center for Responsible Lending is a nonpartisan research group advocating to stop predatory lending.