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Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack represents California’s 45th Congressional District. Mary was first elected with 64.7% of the vote in a special election on April 7, 1998, to fill the seat previously held by her late husband, the Honorable Sonny Bono, M.C. Since 2000, the Congresswoman has been reelected each term with an overwhelming majority to serve in Congress. The Congresswoman serves on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee. As a member of the full committee, Bono serves on the Telecom subcommittee, the Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee, the Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee and the Environment and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee. In addition, Bono serves as chair of the Congressional Salton Sea Task Force, as chair of the Entertainment Task Force, and Travel and Tourism Task Force. Since coming to Washington in 1998, Congresswoman Bono Mack has proven her ability to be a consensus-builder in Congress. In 2000, Congresswoman Bono Mack succeeded in passing legislation establishing the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument in the Palm Springs region with support from diverse interests including environmentalists and developers. In addition, Congresswoman Bono Mack has received several awards for her distinguished work in Congress. In 2001, the Congresswoman was honored by the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome for her efforts in preventing birth defects caused by alcohol use during pregnancy. In multiple years, Congresswoman Bono received the Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Business for her work .. issues such as tax relief, pension reform and other small business issues. Every year from 1999 to 2008, Americans for Tax Reform presented Bono with the Hero of the Taxpayer Award for her work in helping to reduce the tax burden on working families and eliminating wasteful government spending. Mary’s hard work on the issue of country-of-origin labeling for fresh produce was recognized by the National Farmers Union, as they applauded her leadership by giving her an award in 2002. Also in 2002, the American Farm Bureau Federation recognized her as a ‘Friend of the Farm Bureau’ for her work on multiple agricultural issues. Mary was born October 24, 1961, in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1963, her family moved to South Pasadena, where she enjoyed a warm family upbringing with her two older brothers, David and Stephen, and an older sister, Katherine. Mary’s late father, Clay Whitaker, was a physician and surgeon. Her late mother, Karen, was a chemist, and an extraordinary woman in her own right. As a youth Mary pursued her first love, gymnastics. With her family’s support Mary became an accomplished gymnast while training with the team Gymnastics Olympica. Her dedication to fitness continues to this day. A 1984 graduate of the University of Southern California, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art History degree, Mary worked her way through college, sometimes working two jobs at once. While celebrating her graduation from USC, Mary was dining with a friend at BONO restaurant when she met the restaurant’s owner and her future husband, Sonny Bono. In February of 1986, Mary Whitaker married Sonny Bono in Palm Springs, California. Mary was named Woman of the Year in 1993 by the San Gorgonio council of the Girl Scouts of America for her assistance in aiding victims of a tragic bus crash in Palm Springs. Mary has served on the board of the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and has played a leadership role in support of the D.A.R.E. program, Olive Crest Home for Abused Children, Tiempos de Los Ninos and many other worthwhile causes. In addition to time spent with her family, Mary’s interests range from outdoor activities to a passion for music and a keen interest in technology. The Congresswoman is a strong advocate of returning authority to local government, particularly in public education. Bono opposes the existing federal tax structure, supports tax relief and advocates a reduction in the federal bureaucracy. A fundamental belief is the responsibility of the federal government to maintain a strong national defense and state-of-the-art armed services. In 1999, Bono Mack was selected by GEORGE Magazine as one of the 20 most fascinating women in politics. In addition, the Congresswoman was named as one of the most Fascinating Women of 1998 by Ladies Home Journal magazine in conjunction with CBS Television. Bono and other recipients of this honor were profiled on a CBS-TV special program produced by Ladies Home Journal and CBS. The Congresswoman has been the subject of numerous profile feature articles for a wide array of publications, domestically and abroad, including: The New York Times Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, ELLE Magazine, PEOPLE, Capital Style, HELLO Magazine, The Washington Post, and USA Today. The 45th congressional district is located in southeastern California and reflects the state as a whole; with deserts, mountains, agricultural and pastoral open-space, the Colorado River, and a large inland sea (the Salton Sea). Major industries include tourism and agriculture, as well as a diversity of professional and light manufacturing centers. The majority of the population resides in the Moreno Valley, Murrieta, the Hemet/San Jacinto valley, and the Coachella Valley. In 2007 Mary married Congressman Connie Mack in a family ceremony in Asheville, North Carolina. Mary is the proud mother of two children, Chesare and Chianna Bono and two step-children, Connie and Addison.

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