Date of birth: June 17, 1943, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Religion: Baptist.
Education: MA and PhD history, Tulane University, 1971.
Married: to Marianne, with three children, Jackie, Sue and Kathy, from his first marriage.
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Why in the news: Begins a visit to Ireland today as part of a US Congress delegation to show support for the peace process. He also plans to look up his Irish ancestors.