A successful small businessman, public servant, community leader, champion for tourism, a friend to workers, seniors, fishermen and shrimpers, farmers and families in the 3rd Congressional District of Louisiana - that's Charlie Melancon.

Charlie is currently serving his first term in Congress representing the 3rd District of Louisiana, which stretches from St. Bernard Parish in the east, through the river parishes and along the coast, to Iberia and St. Martin Parishes in the west.

Charlie's top priorities are creating more jobs and economic opportunities in the 3rd District and across rural America, lowering the costs of healthcare, giving our children the education they need to succeed, and helping our citizens recover from the effects of the hurricane. As a member of the Agriculture, Resources, and Science committees in the House, he has an impact on nearly every facet of life and business in Louisiana including farm and agriculture policy, management of our oil and gas resources, and fisheries.

Since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Charlie has worked hard to help his constituents recover. He was on the ground bringing supplies to the people of south Louisiana following the devastating hurricanes. After the damage was done, he has fought tirelessly in Congress to bring emergency relief to the people of the 3rd district so they can get their lives back together.

Most recently, he helped pass the Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act, which would open up new off-shore oil reserves, potentially providing $9 billion in revenue for the state of Louisiana. This money will go towards protecting Louisiana's sinking and eroding coastline, which would also provide more protection from future hurricanes.

Before coming to Congress, Melancon served as Executive Director of the South Central Planning and Development Commission where he worked on important economic development initiatives like Port Fourchon and the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP). He then became a successful small businessman in the 3rd District and went on to serve as a State Representative in the Louisiana Legislature (1987-1993). After his stint in the legislature, Charlie spent 11 years as the President and General Manger of the American Sugar Cane League where he worked to protect and grow Louisiana's $2 billion sugar industry and its 27,000 jobs.

A graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana with a degree in Agri-Business, Charlie has served as chair of the LSU Ag Development Council and as vice chair of the South Louisiana Economic Council based in Thibodaux.

Charlie still lives in his hometown of Napoleonville, traveling to Washington only for votes and committee meetings. Charlie and his wife, the former Peachy Clark, have been married for 32 years. They have two children, Charles Joseph (Seph) and Claire, and one grandson, Jackson Luke. Their daughter-in-law is Cheraine Blanchard Melancon.