The Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Education at The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) has expanded its external advisory council to 23 members with the addition of U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa., a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee.

The council is tasked with helping administrators plan the future of the university’s research, assisting in maintaining a sense of direction and focus in current research and interacting with UTD’s internal council to build a common view of research. Members also provide insight into trends, entrepreneurial activities, government liaison and global outreach.

Weldon has been a member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 1987 and has just been re-elected for his 9th term in Congress. He is chairman of the Armed Services Procurement Subcommittee and previously served six years as chairman of the Military Research and Development Subcommittee. Weldon also serves on the House Science Committee.

“Congressman Weldon is a Renaissance man,” said Dr. Da Hsuan Feng, vice president for research and graduate education at UTD. “He is a national leader with a solid reputation internationally. Weldon has the global vision of technology not just for technology’s sake, but how it fits into the global intellectual, economic and political landscapes. Also, with his committee work, he has an interest in the success of the defense work being done throughout the Metroplex. UTD can only benefit from his wisdom.”

Weldon, who majored in Russian studies in college, has made improving relations with Russia one of his major efforts in the House. He has worked with Russian leaders on a variety of issues, including efforts to improve Russia’s energy supply, correct environmental damage and protect both nations from ballistic missile attack. Weldon is the founder of the Duma-Congress Study Group, which is designed to foster a better working relationship between the U.S. and Russia. Weldon recently co-authored a comprehensive framework to improve the state of relations between the two countries.

Weldon once served as the fire chief of Marcus Hook, Pa. That experience was critical in his becoming a strong supporter of first responders to emergencies. He is the founder of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, which has more than 300 congressional members, and is one of the leading spokesmen in the U.S. House of Representatives on homeland security issues.

Weldon’s congressional district is just outside Philadelphia in southeastern Pennsylvania.