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Chris Cannon was elected to Congress on November 5, 1996.

Cannon was born in Salt Lake City on October 20, 1950. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree and a law degree from Brigham Young University, he worked in Provo as an attorney for four years.

In 1983, the Congressman was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as the lawyer in charge of coal mining reclamation, enforcement and writing the current regulatory scheme. During his tenure, Cannon supervised approximately 100 attorneys working on surface coal mining issues.

In this position, he helped move oversight of coal mine reclamation from the federal government to the states. In 1986, Cannon worked as a consultant to the Assistant Secretary for Productivity, Technology and Innovation at the Department of Commerce. In 1987, Chris with his brother, Joe, helped purchase and reopen Geneva Steel in Orem, Utah, restoring 2,500 steel worker jobs. In 1990, Chris purchased Geneva's new venture division, now called Cannon Industries, Inc.

In 1992, Chris served as the Utah Finance Chairman and on the National Finance Committee for President George Bush's reelection. From 1991-92, he served as Finance Chairman for the Utah Republican Party. Chris has served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1992 and 1996. In the 1996 election, Chris was one of the five presidential electors.

Congressman Cannon was named Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law at the beginning of the 108th Congress in January of 2003. As chairman, Congressman Cannon oversaw legislation involving bankruptcy reform, privacy, interstate compacts and tort reform. He currently serves as the Ranking Member on the subcommittee.

Additionally, Congressman Cannon is a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Congressman Cannon is also a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, serving on the National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee.

In January of 2003, Congressman Cannon was elected chairman of the influential Western Caucus, an organization of over 50 Congressmen leading the debate for rational, balanced and sound resource management.

Congressman Cannon married Claudia Fox in 1978. Claudia is a graduate of Brigham Young University with a degree in Elementary Education. She served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Spain and Rep. Cannon served as a missionary in Guatemala and El Salvador. They have eight children and reside in Mapleton, Utah.