NAME — John Forbes Kerry.

AGE-BIRTH DATE — 69; Dec. 11, 1943.

EDUCATION — Bachelor's degree, political science, Yale University, 1966; law degree, Boston College, 1976.

EXPERIENCE — U.S. Senate, 1985-present; unsuccessful Democratic candidate for president, 2004; Massachusetts lieutenant governor, 1983-1985; lawyer in private practice, 1979-1982; Middlesex County, Mass., prosecutor, 1976-1978; spokesman, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, 1971; Navy officer, awarded Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat "V," three Purple Hearts for Vietnam War service, 1966-1970.

FAMILY — Wife, Teresa Heinz; two children, three stepchildren, two grandchildren.

QUOTE — "I've known and worked closely with Susan Rice not just at the U.N., but in my own campaign for president. I've defended her publicly and wouldn't hesitate to do so again because I know her character and I know her commitment. She's an extraordinarily capable and dedicated public servant."