HAROLD "HAL" ROGERS
Elected to Congress in 1980, Harold "Hal" Rogers has earned a reputation for getting things done. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District, always putting the concerns of the people of Southern and Eastern Kentucky first.
His mission has always been the same: to bring jobs, better education, and more opportunities to the families in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. The results of his service can be seen in communities throughout the Fifth District: public works projects to provide flood control and clean drinking water; business and tourism development projects to create jobs; and job training and education programs to give people, young and old, the chance to succeed on their own.
Rogers tenaciously pursues initiatives that promote the long-term economic growth of his rural district. He was instrumental in creating several regional development organizations including the Southern Kentucky Economic Development Corporation; the Southern Kentucky Agricultural Development Association; the Southern and Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association; and Forward in the Fifth, which promotes better education.
He was also the driving force behind the creation of The Center for Rural Development, a state-of-the-art facility serving as an economic development and telecommunications hub for a 42-county region of the commonwealth. The Center and its professional staff cultivate and promote the region's economic, educational, natural and cultural resources to create better opportunities for the people of Southern and Eastern Kentucky.
Rogers is also spearheading a massive clean up initiative called PRIDE—Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment. PRIDE is the first comprehensive, region-wide, local-state-federal cooperative effort designed to address the serious challenge of cleaning up the region's rivers and streams of sewage and garbage, ending illegal trash dumps, promoting environmental awareness, and renewing pride in Eastern and Southern Kentucky. Since the creation of the PRIDE program in 1997, Rogers has secured more than $140 million in federal funding for various projects throughout the region.
As a senior member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Rogers also actively supports programs that provide economic growth, better roads, protection from flooding, and more jobs for America's workers. As a member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Rogers works to ensure that the nation's transportation system will be prepared for the growing demands of the future. Rogers works to build better roads and fund other transportation improvements that promote economic development and tourism in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. Rogers also serves as a senior member of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary, which controls the budgets of many of the nation's law enforcement, economic development, international trade, and immigration agencies.
In January of 2003, Rogers' colleagues selected him to be the first chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which is responsible for funding and oversight of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Department, which is home to more than 180,000 employees, is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of our nation and its people. Security-related entities such as the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Service, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Customs Service, Secret Service, and Coast Guard fall under the DHS umbrella. Rogers is also a member of the Select Committee on Homeland Security, which has legislative jurisdiction over the Homeland Security Act that established the federal department.
A lifelong resident of Appalachian Kentucky, Rogers worked as an attorney in Somerset from 1964-1969. From 1969 to 1980, he served as the Pulaski-Rockcastle Commonwealth's Attorney. Rogers was married to Shirley McDowell Rogers for 37 years until her death in 1995. Together, they raised three grown children, Anthony, Allison and John. Rogers remarried to Cynthia Doyle Rogers in May of 1999. They make their home in Somerset, Kentucky.
Born: December 31, 1937, Wayne County, Kentucky Education: Attended Ramsey and Monticello public schools;
Graduated, Wayne County High School, 1955;
B.A., University of Kentucky, 1962;
LL.B., University of Kentucky Law School, 1964.
Military: Kentucky & North Carolina National Guard, 1957-1964.
Party: Republican
Elected: 1980
Committee Assignments: House Appropriations
- Subcommittee on Homeland Security; Chairman
- Subcommittee on Transportation
- Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary Select Committee on Homeland Security