![[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-; 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) 1987-94. Member, Judiciary Committee, 1987-94; Tort and Insurance Reform Oversight Committee, 1991-93; Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, 1991-94.
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; one child.
A lifelong Maryland resident, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., earned academic and athletic scholarships to Gilman School in Baltimore and later to Princeton University, where he captained the football team in his senior year. After earning his law degree from Wake Forest University in 1982, Mr. Ehrlich worked his way up to the Of Counsel position at the Baltimore law firm of Ober, Kaler, Grimes and Shriver. November 1986 marked his entrance into public service when he was elected to represent the 10th Legislative District (Baltimore County) in the Maryland House of Delegates.
After eight successful years as a State legislator, Mr. Ehrlich in 1993 announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives. He was a newlywed at the time, having recently married Kendel Sibiski, a Maryland native and then an Assistant Public Defender for Anne Arundel County.
On the campaign trail, Mr. Ehrlich promised to deliver lower taxes for working Americans, a stronger national defense, and strong support for America’s seniors and veterans. He also vowed to provide every child in America with equal access to a quality education. Despite overwhelming odds that year, Mr. Ehrlich was elected to Congress by a nearly two-to-one margin in Maryland's 2nd Congressional District.
During his eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Ehrlich delivered on the promises he made in 1993. He consistently fought to reduce the highest peacetime taxation in American history, support America’s service men and women at home and abroad, protect Social Security and Medicare, and ensure a first-class education for every child. Congressman Ehrlich also played a personal role in helping to craft the first balanced federal budget in a generation. He advocated legislation to protect so-called "innocent spouses" from IRS abuse, and authored legislation to help blind and disabled citizens return to the workplace. Most recently, he has been a lead supporter of stiffer penalties for criminals convicted of gun violence.
As part of the House Republican leadership, Congressman Ehrlich held key positions on the Energy and Commerce Committee, where he sat on the subcommittees on health, telecommunications and the internet, and environment and hazardous materials. In addition, he served as Co-Chair of the Congressional Biotechnology Caucus, which represents the interests of the booming biotechnology and biomedical economy in Maryland and the nation. He also was an active member of the Congressional Steel Caucus, consistently voicing the concerns of workers in Maryland's steel communities. With 70 percent of the vote, Congressman Ehrlich was elected to his fourth and final Congressional term in November 2000.
The election of President George W. Bush in 2000 ushered in a new vision for America, one which Mr. Ehrlich has embraced his entire political career. He is a trusted ally of President Bush, particularly on issues important to the steel industry, small businesses, and children. Congressman Ehrlich actively supported President Bush’s historic $1.35 trillion tax relief plan and his landmark "No Child Left Behind" education initiative, which promises a quality education for every child.
On March 25, 2002, Mr. Ehrlich announced his candidacy for Governor of Maryland. As a lifelong Marylander, he believed he could bring positive change and leadership to the State House in Annapolis. As he travelled the State, he promised to fully fund every school in Maryland, fix the State's looming budget crisis, and protect the Chesapeake Bay. On November 5, 2002, Mr. Ehrlich made history by becoming the first Republican to be elected Governor of Maryland in thirty-six years.
Robert and Kendel Ehrlich are the parents of Drew Robert Ehrlich, born July 24, 1999. Before moving to Annapolis, they lived in Timonium, Maryland, just a few miles away from Mr. Ehrlich's boyhood home. Kendel Ehrlich has served as a community relations specialist with Comcast Cablevision, and remains active on the Board of Cystic Fibrosis.
© Copyright July 31, 2003 Maryland State Archives