![[photo, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., Governor]](/msa/mdmanual/08conoff/images/1198-1-202b.jpg)
ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor (Republican)
Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., January 2003. Photo by Richard Lippenholz.
Chair, Board of Public Works, 2003-. Chair, Governor's Executive Council, 2003-. Member, State Commission on the Capital City, 2003-; Maryland Environmental Trust, 2003-; Rural Maryland Council, 2003-; Maryland Veterans Home Commission, 2003-; Governor's Workforce Investment Board, 2003-. Member, Appalachian Regional Commission, 2003-; Education Commission of the States, 2003- (Maryland Education Council); Interstate Mining Commission, 2003-; Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, 2003-; Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, 2003-; Southern States Energy Board, 2003-; Susquehanna River Basin Commission, 2003-. Member, Southern Regional Education Board, 2003-. Member, Chesapeake Executive Council, 2003-.
Member, National Infrastructure Advisory Council, 2003-.
Member of U.S. House of Representatives, January 1995 to January 7, 2003. Deputy Majority Whip, 1997-2003. Member, Energy and Commerce Committee, 2001-03 (environment & hazardous materials subcommittee; health subcommittee; telecommunications & the internet subcommittee); Congressional Steel Caucus, 1995-2003. Co-Chair, Congressional Biotechnology Caucus, 1999-2003. Member, Government Reform and Oversight Committee, 1995-96; Banking and Financial Services Committee, 1995-1996, 1997-98 (financial institutions & commercial credit subcommittee; housing & community opportunity subcommittee); Budget Committee, 1997-98; Speaker's Special Advisory Committee on Corrections, 1997-99; National Security Work Group, 1997-99; Commerce Committee, 1999-2001.
Member, House of Delegates, representing District 10 (Baltimore County) 1987-95. Member, Judiciary Committee, 1987-95; Tort and Insurance Reform Oversight Committee, 1991-93; Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, 1991-95.
Member, Governor's Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, 1987-94; Maryland Juvenile Justice Advisory Council, 1990-93; Task Force on the Charles H. Hickey, Jr. School, 1991; Governor's Advisory Board for Justice Administration, 1994. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, November 25, 1957. Attended Gilman School, Baltimore; Princeton University, B.A., 1979; Wake Forest University School of Law, J.D., 1982. Admitted to Maryland Bar, 1983. Attorney, Ober, Kaler, Grimes & Shriner, 1982-94. Member, American, Maryland State, Baltimore City and District of Columbia Bar Associations. Board of Directors, Exchange Club Center of Maryland. Member, Exchange Club of Towson, 1986-94; Chesapeake Bay Foundation; Izaak Walton League; Lodge no. 469, Towson Elks. Executive Committee, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 1976-79; Princeton University Alumni Association of Maryland, 1987-90. Board member, Regional Manufacturing Institute. Guardian of Small Business, National Federation of Independent Business, 1987-90, 1995-96. Vice-Chair, National Republican Committee (finance), 1999-. Legislator of the Year, Maryland State's Attorneys Association, 1989; National Conference for the Prevention of Child Abuse, 1994; Maryland State Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police, 1994. Outstanding Young Marylander, Maryland Jaycees, 1995. Tax Fighter Award, National Tax Limitation Committee, 1996. Golden Bulldog Award, Watchdogs of the Treasury, 1996. Spirit of Enterprise Award, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 1995, 1996, 1997. Distinguished Service Award, German Society of Maryland, 1997. Exceptional Legislator Award, 104th Congress, American Health Care Association, 1997. Legislator of the Year, National Association of Mortgage Brokers, 1997. Federal Official of the Year, National Industries for the Blind, 1998. Distinguished Service Award, Columbia Light House for the Blind, 1999. Distinguished Marylander Award, Maryland Chapter, National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, 2003. Married; two children.
During his successful campaign for governor, Bob Ehrlich promised an administration that would end the corrupt culture of Annapolis and prioritize fiscal responsibility, education, reduction of gridlock, and enhancement of public safety. With successful bipartisan efforts and leadership, Governor Ehrlich has begun the task of uniting the legislature and appointing a qualified, diverse team to tackle the budget crisis and other issues facing Maryland.
Governor Ehrlich believes that honest government accounting and strong dedication to Maryland's business community are the keys to a thriving, healthy Maryland economy. The tax-and-spend reign in Annapolis ended when Governor Ehrlich vetoed a proposed $135 million tax increase rather than forcing working Marylanders to pay for excessive government spending. Governor Ehrlich insisted that government be accountable for its past over-spending by proposing an $851 million reduction in spending.
With just one legislative session under his belt, Governor Ehrlich took numerous steps in tackling the education priorities he outlined during his campaign. As promised, Governor Ehrlich fully funded the Thornton Commission recommendations to ensure that students in failing schools get a quality education. He also won the passage of a landmark charter school initiative, which provides parents the opportunity to move their children into an innovative learning environment where they can realize their full potential. His Juvenile Justice Reform Initiative ensures that quality teachers staff Maryland's juvenile justice facilities, thereby putting at-risk kids back on the path to success.
Governor Ehrlich has gone to bat for Marylanders stuck in gridlock all over the state to allow people to spend more time with their families and less time in frustrating traffic. Fulfilling another campaign promise, he successfully lobbied the Bush Administration to fast track planning for Montgomery County's proposed InterCounty Connector (ICC). Governor Ehrlich also recommended federal-funding for the Baltimore Region Transit Plan, the Bi-County Transitway connecting Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, and the Dover Bridge connecting Talbot and Caroline Counties, and other projects statewide.
Faced with one of the highest murder and violent crime rates in America in addition to national terrorism alerts, Governor Ehrlich has faced public safety issues head on. He brokered an agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office to begin prosecuting certain gun crimes at the federal level in an effort to sentence violent criminals to longer prison terms and keep them away from Maryland's law-abiding citizens. In light of recent national security risks, Governor Ehrlich convened the first Cabinet-level Summit on Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security in Maryland. He has worked with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and the governments of Virginia and the District of Columbia to implement a National Capital Region Homeland Security Plan.
Governor Ehrlich pledges a fiscally responsible administration that takes seriously its accountability to the residents of Maryland. He welcomes all Marylanders, from every background, station, and political party, to join in his commitment to building a better Maryland in the years to come.
Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., the only son of Nancy and Robert Sr., was born on November 25, 1957 in Arbutus, Maryland. He received degrees from Princeton University (1979) and Wake Forest University Law School (1982) and served as a member of the House of Delegates (1987-95) and the United States Congress (1995-2003). He and his wife, Kendel, have two sons, Drew Robert, age 4, and Joshua Taylor, born in March 2004.
© Copyright July 09, 2004 Maryland State Archives