and narrowly defeated him in the general election. Upon being sworn in, Packard joined the Republican caucus. He was reelected as a Republican eight times with little opposition in the heavily Republican district. Tenure Packard's congressional career included membership on the House Appropriations Committee. Packard served a total of nine terms and then retired from the House at the end of his term in 2001 to spend time with his family. In Congress he was known as a deficit hawk, a critic of legislative "pork", and opponent of illegal immigration. He was succeeded by Republican Darrell Issa. Retirement and private life A U.S. Post Office building in Oceanside, California was named for him in 2002. Packard and his wife Jean live in Utah. They had seven children. Packard works part-time as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. The westernmost 16.6-miles of California State Route 78 between Interstate 5 in Oceanside, California and Interstate 15 in Escondido, California is designated Ronald Packard Parkway. References External links 1931 births Living people People from Meridian, Idaho Military personnel from Idaho American Latter Day Saints Mayors of places in California School board members in California American dentists Oregon Health & Science University alumni Brigham Young University alumni Portland State University alumni California city council members Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from California Members of Congress who became lobbyists