Profile

Profession

Sen. Robert M. "Tommy" Tomlinson is serving his fourth term representing residents of the 6th District in Bucks County.

Previously, Tomlinson served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 18th District from 1991 through 1994. He is also a funeral director, and owns and operates Tomlinson Funeral Home in Bensalem, a family business established in 1945.

The senator serves as Chairman of the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, which works to protect the rights of Pennsylvania consumers and ensures that individuals in regulated professions adhere to the highest standards. He is Vice Chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, which shapes the state's multi-billion-dollar budget.

Tomlinson is also a member of the Community, Economic and Recreational Development, Policy, Transportation, Education, and Veteran Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committees.

In addition, he serves on the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Board of Directors and is a member of the Emergency Services Legislative Caucus.

Education

Tomlinson is a 1964 graduate of Bensalem High School. He attended West Chester State College, receiving a B.S. degree in 1970. While at West Chester, he served as captain of the football team in 1969, and helped the team capture the state championship in 1967 and 1969. He also played in the Tangerine Bowl in 1967. In 1971, Tomlinson graduated from Miami Dade University with a degree in Mortuary Science.

Public Service

Tomlinson was a member of the Bensalem Township School Board for 12 years, serving as vice president for two years and president for one.

He is currently a member of the Lower Bucks Hospital Board of Directors; the Bensalem Rotary; the St. Mary Medical Center Advisory Board; the Advisory Council for the Delaware Valley Veterans' Home; the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce; the Bensalem Republican Committee; the Bensalem Historical Society; Friends of Bolton Mansion; the Pennsbury Manor Society; Washington Crossing Foundation; Friends of the Silver Lake Nature Center; West Chester University Football Hall of Fame; YWCA Advisory Council; Sturzbecker Foundation Hall of Fame – West Chester University.

Personal

Tomlinson was born on December 4, 1945. He has been a lifelong resident of Bensalem and lives there with his two daughters.

He enjoys boating and salt water fishing.