| Elected |
Indiana State Senate, 1988 - present
|
| Leadership |
Energy and Environmental Affairs Committee Chair, present
Indiana Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, Chair 2007-08
Environmental Affairs Committee Chair, 1999-2004
Environmental Quality Service Council Chair, 1994, ‘95, ‘97, ‘99, ‘01, ‘03, ‘05, '07
|
| Standing Committees |
Energy & Environmental Affairs, Chairman
Health & Provider Services
Public Health Subcommittee, Chairman
Utilities and Regulatory Affairs
Rules and Legislative Procedure
|
| Education |
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; B.S. in Chemistry
Graduate work in Biochemistry
|
| Occupation |
Former Biochemist in the health care industry
|
| National Conference of State Legislatures Activities |
National Conference of State Legislatures Agriculture, Energy & Environmental Committee, Chair 2007-2008
Executive Committee, 2001 - 2004
Standing Committees Vice Chair, 2004-2005
Environment Committee Chair, 1999 - 2000; Vice Chair 2005-2006
Clean Air Working Group, 1998 - present
Advisory Committee on Energy
National Council on Electricity Policy Committee
|
| Other Legislative Activities |
Council of State Governments Midwest -- Energy Task Force
Environmental Quality Service Council
Health Finance Commission
Office of Women’s Health Advisory Board
Clean Manufacturing Technology Board
Great Lakes Regional Collaboration
Regulatory Flexibility Committee
|
| Community Activities Past & Present |
Hancock County ARC Board of Directors
Shares, Inc. Board of Directors
Greenfield Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Hancock Community Foundation Board of Directors
Alliance for Community Education Board of Directors
Hancock County Public Library Board of Directors
Hancock County Farm Bureau
Greenfield City Council, member and president
Hancock County Republican Vice-Chairman
Hancock County Cancer Society
Indiana Breast Health Awareness League
Hancock County Community Foundation Emeritus Board
|
| Recognitions |
Frank O’Bannon Sunshine Award: Hoosier State Press Association
U.S. EPA Children’s Environmental Health Recognition Award
Indiana Library Federation Legislator of the Year
Indiana Farm Bureau Legislator Award
Conservation Legislator of the Year: Indiana Environmental Organizations
Woman of the Year: Republican Mayor’s Association
Indiana State Medical Association Legislator of the Year
Lead-safe Leadership Award
Conservation Officers’ Legislator of the Year
Indiana Public Health Association Legislator of the Year
Indiana Autism Leadership Award
Indiana Health Industry Forum Award
Parks and Recreation Association Legislator of the Year
Champion of Small Business: Indiana State Chamber of Commerce
Guardian of Small Business: National Federation of Indiana Business
|
| Family |
Husband: Dr. Don Gard, retired scientist from Eli Lilly & Company
Children:
David and wife, Christie; children: Joshua, Julia and Jenna
Doug and wife, Julia; children: Chloe and Lucy
Church: Bradley United Methodist Church
Hobbies: grandchildren, traveling, reading and bird watching |