Robert W. Edgar
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Rev. Dr. Robert William (Bob) Edgar (born May 29, 1943) is president and CEO of Common Cause, a nonpartisan government watchdog organization, effective May 2007. He is transitioning out of his role as general secretary of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S., the leading U.S. organization in the movement for Christian unity. Edgar was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and grew up in Springfield, Pennsylvania. He attended Lycoming College, and then was ordained a minister after graduating from the theology seminary at Drew University.
Dr. Edgar took office at NCC on January 1, 2000, and the 50-year-old Council began to reshape its mission. Under his leadership, the Council has focusing its energies on major initiatives in the areas of overcoming poverty, protecting the natural environment, fostering interfaith understanding, and building international peace. Edgar came to the Council from Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, California, where he was president from 1990-2000.
Dr. Edgar was the first Democrat in 82 years to be elected from the heavily Republican seventh congressional district of Pennsylvania, located primarily in Delaware County. He is well known for being one of the most liberal members of Congress during his six terms of service in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Serving in the United States Congress from 1974 to 1987, Edgar led efforts to improve public transportation, authored the community Right to Know provisions of Super Fund legislation, co-authored the new G.I. Bill for the all-volunteer service, fought wasteful water projects and supported environmental goals. Among other appointments, he served as chair of the Congressional Clearinghouse on the Future (1982-86) and as a member of the House Select Committee on Assassinations (1976-78) that investigated the deaths of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and President John F. Kennedy.
Dr. Edgar ran for the United States Senate in 1986, defeating conservative Democrat Auditor General Don Bailey, a former congressman from western Pennsylvania, in the primary, but losing in the general election to incumbent Republican Senator Arlen Specter by more than 12 percentage points. It is during this experience that led Edgar to become frustrated with political campaigning and money in politics, even taking a somewhat sympathetic and supportive stance on clean elections and campaign finance reform, which he dictated at the 2004 Democracy Matters Conference in Albany, New York.
His career has also included pastorates at United Methodist congregations and stints as a teacher, college chaplain, community organizer, and director of a think tank on national security issues.
Dr. Edgar serves on the boards of several organizations, including Independent Sector, the National Coalition for Health Care, and the National Religious Partnership for the Environment. He serves on the board of directors of the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, an independent, non-profit organization that is a principal resource for Congress on environmental and energy issues.
Dr. Edgar received a bachelor of arts degree from Lycoming College, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and a master of divinity degree from the Theological School of Drew University, Madison, New Jersey. He holds four honorary doctoral degrees.
Many national organizations have recognized his work with awards, including the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America and the National Taxpayers Union. He is an endorser of the Genocide Intervention Network.
In April 2003, Edgar gave a lecture entitled "The Role of the Church in U.S. Foreign Policy Today" at the University of San Diego's Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice Distinguished Lecture Series.
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Politics in PA's 7th Congressional District
| Preceded by Lawrence G. Williams |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district 1975–1987 |
Succeeded by Curt Weldon |
