Stressing the need for action in a time of crisis, Joe Bock announced his campaign for Congress in Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District.
Throughout his career as a humanitarian aid worker, Bock has led teams into countries ravaged by religious strife, natural disasters and civil wars such as Haiti, Sierra Leone, Pakistan and throughout the Middle East to help re-build infrastructure and local businesses and support peace-keeping efforts.
“In times of crisis you don’t have time to consider the politics of those you’re trying to help or worry about your own agenda. I’m frustrated with politicians in Washington, including our Congresswoman, who are refusing to put aside their differences so they can govern effectively. If there is one place in the world right now that needs conflict resolution, it’s Washington, D.C.”
Bock oversees Notre Dame’s Global Health Training Program. In 2010 he took a leave in order to lead the American Refugee Committee’s efforts in Haiti after the devastating earthquake.
Prior to joining the faculty at Notre Dame, Bock was on the leadership team at the American Refugee Committee as well as a country representative for Catholic Relief Services. Through those roles Bock led teams into Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip as well as overseeing programs throughout Africa, Asia and the Balkans.
Bock and his wife, Sue, a kindergarten teacher, live on the St. Joseph River in South Bend. He is a parishioner of St. Therese of Little Flower Catholic Church. They are volunteers at Our Lady of the Road, where they serve meals to the homeless and spend the night in cold weather to help care for the less fortunate. Bock is a member of the Anti-Violence Commission in South Bend as well as the Safety and Security Committee of the South Bend School Corporation.