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Orrin Grant Hatch (March 22, 1934) is a five-term Republican United States Senator, from Utah.
Hatch chairs the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and is the 2nd ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Finance, where he serves on the Subcommittee on International Trade, the Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight, and the Subcommittee on Health Care. Hatch is also on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on Indian Affairs and the Joint Economic Committee. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Early life, marriage, and descendants
Hatch was born to Jesse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His great grandfather, Jeremiah Hatch, founded what is now known as Vernal, located in eastern Utah. Hatch married Elaine Hansen of Newton, Utah. They have six children and have twenty grandchildren. He and his family are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Education
Hatch attended Brigham Young University and, in 1959, received a degree in History. In 1962, he received a J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh Law School. As a law student, he worked as a janitor, a metal lather, and a dormitory desk attendant.
Career
Senator Hatch worked as an attorney at law in Pennsylvania and Utah. In 1976, he was elected to the United States Senate defeating the incumbent Frank Moss. In 2000 he tried for the Republican Presidential nomination, but lost to Texas Governor George W. Bush
Hatch caused an overnight controversy June 17, 2003 by proposing that copyright owners should be able to destroy the computer equipment and information of those suspected of copyright infringement, including file sharing. In the face of criticism, especially from technology and privacy advocates, Hatch withdrew his suggestion days later. One year later, he proposed a controversial INDUCE Act that attempted to make illegal all tools that may be used for copyright infridgement. According to many critics, this act would effectively outlaw the Internet and personal computers, giving unprecedented legal leverage to media companies.
Quotes:
- "The horrific events in Oklahoma City show the high price we pay for our liberties." (1995)
- "I'm interested, may be the only way you can teach somebody about copyrights."