Jerry Moran

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Jerry Moran
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kansas's 1st district
Incumbent
Assumed office  January 3, 1997
Preceded by	Pat Roberts
Born	May 29, 1954 (1954-05-29) (age 55) Great Bend, Kansas
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Robba Moran
Residence	Hays, Kansas
Alma mater	University of Kansas
Occupation	attorney, bank executive, college professor
Religion	Methodist

Jerry Moran (born May 29, 1954, in Great Bend, Kansas) has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997, representing Kansas's 1st District. The district, popularly known as "the Big First," takes up 69 counties — more than half of the state's landmass — due to its largely rural character. Moran has indicated he will be running for the United States Senate seat held by Sam Brownback in 2010.^[1]

[edit] Biography

Moran was born in Great Bend, Kansas, but grew up in Plainville, Kansas.

Moran attended Fort Hays State University and later the University of Kansas where he completed degrees in economics and law. After an early career as a small town banker, Moran established a law practice in Hays and returned to FHSU as an adjunct professor of political science.

Before his election to Congress, Moran served for eight years (1989–1996) in the Kansas Senate, the last two as majority leader. He was elected to Congress in 1996, and has been reelected five times, never facing serious opposition in this strongly Republican district. In 2006, his opponent for the 2006 midterm election was John Doll whom he defeated, receiving almost 79 percent of the vote - one of the highest totals for an incumbent Congressional Republican in that election.^[2]

[edit] Congressional service

In Congress, Moran has a largely conservative voting record. However, he has a considerable independent streak. The Southwest Daily Times once quoted him as saying, "I will always put Kansans ahead of the pressures in Washington"—a quote he posted on his Web site. He opposed No Child Left Behind, and unlike most congressmen from rural districts, opposed the Medicare reform package of 2003.

Some environmentalist groups have criticized Moran for his votes on various environment-related issues. These include his support for both offshore drilling and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

[edit] Committee assignments

• Committee on Agriculture
  • Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research
  • Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management (Ranking Member)
  • Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on Aviation
  • Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
• Committee on Veterans Affairs
  • Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
  • Subcommittee on Health

[edit] Caucus and other memberships

• Co-chair of the House Hunger Caucus
• Trustee of the Eisenhower Foundation
• Board of Trustees of the Fort Hays State University Endowment Association
• Honorary board member to Special Olympics Kansas
  • Honorary Chairman for the Kansas Law Enforcement Torch Run
• Executive Committee of the Coronado Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America

[edit] Agriculture Committee

From 2003 through 2005, $14.7 billion in crop subsidies went to the congressional districts of members on the House Committee on Agriculture, an analysis by the non-partisan Environmental Working Group found. That was 42.4% of the total subsidies. Moran's district is reported to have received $1.32 billion. ^[3]

[edit] Personal life

At home, Moran volunteers his time with several community organizations. He is a trustee of the Eisenhower Foundation, serves on the Board of Trustees of the Fort Hays State University Endowment Association, and serves on the Executive Committee of the Coronado Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He is also the 2008 Honorary Chair of the Law Enforcement Torch Run of the Kansas Special Olympics.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Representative Moran's Campaign Site
• U.S. Congressman Jerry Moran official U.S. House site

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
• Congressional District of Kansas map