Here is a biographical look at U. S. Rep. Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.), Republican Mitt Romney's pick for vice president:

Represents: Wisconsin's 1st District

Home: Janesville, Wis.

Born: Jan. 29, 1970, in Janesville.

Key positions: Chairman of the House Budget Committee; member House Ways and Means Committee.

Campaigns: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives seven times since 1998

Prior work: Aide to U.S. Sen. Robert Kasten of Wisconsin, 1992; legislative director for U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, 1995-1997; speechwriter for Jack Kemp vice-presidential campaign, 1996

Education: BA, economics and political science from Miami University in Ohio, 1992.

Family: He and wife Janna have a daughter, Liza, and sons Charlie and Sam.

Religion: (Roman Catholic)

Notable quote: "Here in Wisconsin, I picked who I think is going to be the next president of the United States - I picked Mitt Romney. The moment is here. The country can be saved. It is not too late to get America back on the right track. ... It is not too late to save the American idea." - Ryan, speaking during an April 2012 campaign stop with Romney after endorsing him in the Republican primary.