Robert W. Edgar
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Rev. Dr. Robert W. (Bob) Edgar is general secretary of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, the leading U.S. organization in the movement for Christian unity.
Dr. Edgar took office January 1, 2000, and the 50-year-old Council began to reshape its mission. Under his leadership, the Council is focusing its energies on major initiatives in the areas of overcoming poverty, protecting the natural environment, fostering interfaith understanding, and building international peace.
Dr. Edgar came to the Council from Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, California, where he was president from 1990-2000.
Dr. Edgar is well known for his service as a six-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives, where he was the first Democrat in more than 120 years to be elected from the heavily Republican Seventh Congressional District of Pennsylvania.
Serving in Congress from 1974 to 1987, he 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 Select Committee on Assassinations (1976-78) that investigated the deaths of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and President John F. Kennedy.
Dr. Edgar challenged Republican Senator Arlen Specter in 1986, which Specter won in a landslide. 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, Common Cause, 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.
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