Former Speaker of the House John Boehner speaks after receiving the 2016 Laetare Medal, the oldest and most prestigious honor given to American Catholics at Notre Dame's 171st Commencement Ceremony on May 15, 2016.
Former Speaker of House John Boehner was a co-recipient of the award with Vice President Joe Biden. They received the award, not as an endorsement for the policy positions of either, but to celebrate two lives dedicated to keeping our democratic institutions working for the common good through dialogue focused on the issues and responsible compromise.
Boehner is from southwest Ohio, the second child in a family with 12 children and modest means. After graduating from Xavier University, he worked in business and served in the Ohio legislature. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1990, serving the 8th District of Ohio, and was re-elected 10 times.
Among House Republicans, Boehner served as conference chairman, minority leader and majority leader. He also served as chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee where he authored several reforms, including the Pension Protection Act and a school choice voucher program for low-income children in Washington, D.C.
Boehner became Speaker of the House in January 2011 and was re-elected in January 2013 and January 2015. He stepped down as speaker and resigned from Congress last fall.