Born in 1953. Noord- en Zuid Holland. Studied Tropical Agriculture at the State Agricultural College Deventer until 1976, studied Law at the "Katholieke Universiteit van Nijmegen"until 1982. Legal policy officer for the VNG ( Association of Dutch Municipalities) 1982-1986; Member of the Dutch House of Representatives, 3 June 1986 until 2009. Member of the board CINOP (centrum voor innovatie van Opleidingen), Member of the board of "Stichting Manege Craeyenburch" Nootdorp, Member advisory board "Nederlandse Vereniging van Hemofilie Patienten" Badhoevedorp; member supervisory board "Domstad Pabo", Utrecht, member supervisory board SCO-Lucas schoolboard, Haaglanden. Leader of the CDA-delegation in the EPP Group in the European Parliament. MEP since 2009.