Hal Rogers

Infobox_Congressman
name =Hal Rogers


date of birth=birth date and age|1937|12|03
place of birth =Monticello, Kentucky, U.S.
state = Kentucky
district = 5th
term_start =January 5, 1981
preceded = Tim Lee Carter
succeeded = Incumbent
party =Republican
religion = Baptist
spouse = Cynthia Doyle
occupation= attorney
residence= Somerset, Kentucky
alma_mater= University of Kentucky
branch=United States Army National Guard
serviceyears=1956-1964
unit=Kentucky
North Carolina

Harold Dallas "Hal" Rogers (born December 31 1937), American politician,has been a Republican member of the
United States House of Representatives since 1981,representing the ushr|Kentucky|5|. His offices are currently located in Somerset, Hazard, and Prestonsburg.

Rogers was born in Monticello, Kentucky,attended Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green and received a baccalaureate degree (A.B.) and a law dregree (LL.B.) from the University of Kentucky at Lexington. Rogers served in the Kentucky and North Carolina Army National Guard. The January 1961 Kentucky Guardsman reported a story noting Harold Rogers recognition in his selection as solier of the year, stating, "Specialist Fourth Class Harold (Hal) Rogers has been named “Soldier of the Year” by vote of the 125 member Battery A of the Fifth Observation Battalion at Lexington. Rogers, 22, a journalism major at the University of Kentucky, was cited for his performance with his unit during regular weekly drills and the 1960 ANADUTRA (annual active duty for training)." [January 1961 Kentucky Guardsman. [http://kynghistory.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/6FC5400B-5907-483E-BAE2-E0D38772586E/0/kgjan61.pdf.] ]

As a lawyer Rogers was in private practice and was elected to serve as Commonwealth's Attorney for Pulaski and Rockcastle counties in Kentucky, an office he held from 1969 to his election to Congress in 1980. Rogers was the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky in 1979, slating with former Governor of Kentucky Louie B. Nunn and losing in the general election to Democrat John Y. Brown Jr. The following year Rogers won election to Congress.

Rogers had three children with his wife, Shirley Rogers. She died of cancer in 1995. Rogers married the former Cynthia Doyle Stewart in May 1999. They were introduced in 1998 by former Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist, an old House colleague, and were married at the Tennessee governor's mansion.

Harold Rogers is the longest serving Kentucky Republican ever elected to federal office. Rogers served as a delegate to the Republican National Conventions of 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004.

Committee Assignments

*House Appropriations Committee
**Homeland Security Subcommittee (Ranking Member)
**Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Subcommittee
*House Republican Steering Committee

Legislative Leadership and Record

Rogers has always focused his legislation on two priorities bringing jobs to Kentucky and providing a better education for Kentuckians. His record reflects these objectives, and from public works projects that provide flood control and clean drinking water, to business and tourism development projects to create jobs, to job training and education programs, his record reflects a sustained focus. Rogers has been the founder of numerous organizations that serve these policy objectives including the Southern Kentucky Economic Development Corporation; [SKED - Southern Kentucky Economic Development Corporation. [http://www.southernkentucky.com] ] the Southern Kentucky Agricultural Development Association; the Southern and Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association; Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment & Education - UNITE; [UNITE Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education. [http://www.operationunite.org] ] and The Center for Rural Development. [The Center for Rural Development. [http://www.centertech.com] ] Rogers first such organization was Forward in the Fifth, which promotes better education, and Rogers efforts through Forward in the Fifth brought national attention to his district which at the time had the worst education attainment in the U.S. [Forward In The Fifth. [http://www.fif.org] ] Through SKED, Rogers has been instrumental in the creation of 10,000 jobs in southern and eastern Kentucky.

In 2001, the City of Williamsburg, Kentucky named their new water park and miniature golf facility the [http://www.kentuckysplash.com Hal Rogers Family Entertainment Center] as a "thank-you for all of the federal money he has brought back to Whitley County, the City of Williamsburg, and the other 40 counties he represents." [Julie Hill, [http://www.kentuckysplash.com/index.php?page=parkhistory "Park History"] , "Kentucky Splash website"]

In 2003, Daniel Boone Parkway, a part of the Kentucky system of toll roads, was renamed Hal Rogers Parkway (over the objection of some historians) in honor of Rogers efforts to have the parkway's construction bonds paid by the federal government. This action resulted in the ending of toll collection, as required by Kentucky law when a parkway's construction bonds are paid off by toll collections or other means. The highway runs through Rogers' district, and is scheduled to become part of an expanded Interstate 66.

In January of 2003, Rogers' colleagues selected him to be the first chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which is responsible for funding and oversight of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Department is the third-largest cabinet agency behind the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs and is home to more than 180,000 employees. Security-related entities such as the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Service, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Secret Service, and Coast Guard fall under the DHS umbrella.

Criticism and Praise

Rogers has been widely criticized by both liberal and conservative pundits for his priorities when it comes to national security. "National Review" referred to Rogers as "a national disgrace" and "Rolling Stone" named him one of America's "Ten Worst Congressmen", calling him "Bin Laden's Best Friend" due to the fact that Rogers steered federal homeland security money away from large cities to his home district, which critics claim is one of the least likely terrorist targets in America because of its lack of any notable monuments or population centers [http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/12054520/the_10_worst_congressmen/9] .

On May 14, 2006, the New York Times reported that Rogers had used his legislative position as chairman of the House subcommittee that controls the Homeland Security budget to create "jobs in his home district and profits for companies that are donors to his political causes."

The Lexington Herald-Leader last year called Rogers the "Prince of Pork." The "Times" article reported that Rogers had inserted out language ("existing government card issuance centers") into appropriations bills that effectively pushed the federal government into testing older, inappropriate technology for a new fraud-resistant green card for permanent legal immigrants, at the production plant in Corbin, Kentucky, within Rogers' district. The "Times" found that about $100,000 in contributions had come to Mr. Rogers from parties with at least some ties to the identification card effort. [Eric Lipton, [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/14/washington/14rogers.html?ex=1305259200&en=dad1e84a10163acc&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss "In Kentucky Hills, a Homeland Security Bonanza"] , "New York Times", May 14, 2006]

In response to these critics, Rogers has stated, “It should surprise no one that this article from Rolling Stone regarding my activity in connection with the Transportation Worker Identity Card (TWIC) is grossly incorrect, and highly slanderous,” the congressman said. “A true and honest analysis would reveal that my sole interest in TWIC is simply to protect America's seaports, airports, and other transportation facilities from terrorist penetration. To purport that my actions have compromised national security in an effort to bring jobs to Kentucky or for personal gain is an absolute lie.”). [Neal, Jeff. “Rogers: Is he one of nation’s 10 worst congressmen?” Commonwealth Journal. November 01, 2006. [http://www.somerset-kentucky.com] ]

In May 2001, Kentuckians for Better Transportation Chairman Hugh Gabbard hosted an event to recognize and “celebrate Hal Rogers’ two decades of outstanding leadership and distinguished service on behalf of the citizens of his district, Kentucky and the nation. …Rogers is a leader who understands the importance of transportation. He understands that our national security and future growth depend upon the transportation system.” Noting Rogers was first elected to Congress in 1980, Gabbard said, “Kentucky’s Senior Congressman has earned a reputation for getting things done. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District and Kentucky. His mission has always been the same: to bring jobs, better education, and more opportunities to Kentucky families. During Hal’s tenure on the House Appropriations Committee, he has actively supported programs that provide economic growth, better roads, protection from flooding, and more jobs.” [Kentuckians for Better Transportation. [http://www.kbtnet.org/uploads/tnews6_08c.pdf] ]

Similar praise for Rogers leadership in economic development comes from Appalachian Regional Manufacturing (ARM) president Linda McGinnis, whose facility employs over 100 people, "Representatives Bunning and Rogers have done their part in helping to keep jobs in an area that desperately needs it." [The Lane Report, Dec. 1999. [http://www.kybiz.com/archive/lanereport/departments/fast_lane/fastlane1299.html] ]

"I know of no one in the region who has done more to improve the quality of life in Southern and Southeastern Kentucky," said Charlene Harris, chair of the SCC board of directors at the naming of the Harold D. Rogers Student Commons Building at KCTCS Somerset campus. [KCTCS Somerset Honors Rogers. [http://www.kctcs.edu/todaysnews/2004/20040528.html] ]

Bi-Partisanship and Statesmanship

Harold Rogers record reflects a consistent leadership style that has long been a hallmark of Kentucky statesmen. Like Henry Clay, the Great Compromiser, and later senator John Sherman Cooper, who also hails from Somerset, Kentucky, Harold Rogers has a capacity to bridge the partisan divide to build compromise legislatiuon and programs. This is reflected early in his career by the praise he received from President Bill Clinton as he navigated his first executive budget through Congress.

On the House/Senate conference decision to bolster the Department of Commerce and support the Clinton Administration priorities, President Clinton remarked, “I commend the congressional leadership, Senator Ernest Hollings, Senator Pete Domenici, Congressman Neal Smith, and Congressman Harold Rogers, for their foresight and support in revitalizing this country through these programs. It is a dramatic step forward for the United States toward a solid economic future.” [William J. Clinton. Statement on Congressional Action on Department of Commerce Appropriations, October 19th, 1993. [http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=47230] ]

Similar praise comes from former President George H.W. Bush, “I'm pleased to see these three distinguished Members of the Congress here. You may not remember this ancient history, but Hal Rogers was my Kentucky State chairman in my quest for the Presidency. And what a job that guy did, I'll tell you.” [George H. W. Bush. Remarks at a Fundraising Reception for Senator Mitch McConnell in Lexington, Kentucky, May 13th, 1989. [http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=17027] ]

Our State biographer Amy Witherbee commented on Rogers service, “Rogers' multiple roles on the Appropriations Committee have honed his skills as a bipartisan negotiator, and his economically challenged district often prompts him to stray from hard-line conservative stances. Although voting with his party against raising environmental standards on sports utility vehicles and against a controversial amendment that would have prohibited oil drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge, Rogers has been the creator and leading proponent of large environmental protection and clean-up programs throughout the Appalachian region.” [Witherbee, Amy. “Hal Rogers.” Our States: Kentucky, 2007. [http://connection.ebscohost.com/content/article/1033509831.html;jsessionid=7FEDA5785E9B1E9DB2B2EBA42AC7914B] ]

“In addition, Rogers' reluctance to involve the federal government in local issues has not deterred him from supporting a multitude of economic development programs aimed at creating new job bases in economically disadvantaged areas, and particularly in Appalachia. In 1993, Rogers was one of only three Republicans to vote for then-President Bill Clinton's economic stimulus package. In March 2003, Rogers' ability to work through the bipartisan tangles of the Appropriations Committee won him the chairmanship on the subcommittee designated to control funding for the new Department of Homeland Security,” noted Witherbee.

Ready evidence is found on March 20, 2008, when the invitation to testify in support of environmental legislation by Democrat House Majority Leader Rep. Rocky Adkins, [GOP Congressman backs House Dems' stream bill. [http://polwatchers.typepad.com/pol_watchers/2008/03/gop-congressman.html] ] and, on the same day, a rare invitation to speak from the Senate floor was afforded by Republican Senate Majority Leader Senator David Williams as part of the Senate’s unanimously passed bi-partisan resolution honoring Congressman Rogers for his service to Kentucky. [Kentucky Senate Honors Congressman Rogers. [http://www.kypolitics.org/kypolitics/hal_rogers/index.html] ]

2008 Campaign

Rogers faces opposition from Independent Jim Holbert in his 2008 re-election bid. He is favored to win handily.

References

External links

* [http://halrogers.house.gov/ U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers] , U.S. House site
* [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Harold_%22Hal%22_Rogers Profile] at SourceWatch Congresspedia
*Robert O'Harrow Jr. and Scott Higham, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/24/AR2005122400372_pf.html "Post-9/11 Rush Mixed Politics With Security: Congressman Benefits From Homeland Security Spending"] , Washington Post, December 25, 2005
*Our States: Kentucky, 2007. [http://connection.ebscohost.com/content/article/1033509831.html;jsessionid=7FEDA5785E9B1E9DB2B2EBA42AC7914B]