WELCH, Peter, a Representative from Vermont; born in Springfield, Hampden County, Mass., May 2, 1947; graduated from Cathedral High School, Springfield, Mass.; A.B., College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Mass.; 1969; J.D., University of California, Berkeley, Calif., 1973; lawyer, private practice; member of the Vermont state senate, 1981-1989, 2002-2007, minority leader, 1983-1985, president pro tempore, 1985-1989, 2003-2007; unsuccessful candidate for nomination to the One Hundred First Congress in 1988; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Tenth and to the four succeeding Congresses (January 3, 2007-present).