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About Herb
Herb Kohl was elected to the Senate in 1988 and re-elected to a third six-year term in 2000. Kohl was born and raised in Milwaukee, where he attended public school. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1956 and a masters degree in business administration from Harvard University in 1958. Kohl served in the Army Reserve from 1958 to 1964.
Before coming to the Senate, Kohl helped build his family-owned business, Kohl's grocery and department stores. He served as President from 1970 through the sale of the corporation in 1979. In 1985 he bought the Milwaukee Bucks to ensure the basketball team remained in Milwaukee and is recognized as an avid sportsman.
During his time in office, Senator Kohl has been recognized as a
leader in the Congress for his work in balancing the federal budget. Independent non-partisan groups have consistently given him high marks for his votes against wasteful spending. Kohl has been honored by the Concord Coalition, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Taxpayers for Common Sense and Citizens Against Government Waste for his voting record.
Senator Kohl is the sponsor of the "Child
Care Infrastructure Act," a new law to encourage private companies and institutions to build on- or near-site day care centers to meet the rapidly growing demand for child care. The bill, which was signed into law on June 7, 2001, has been
featured in "Working Mother" and "Parents" magazines.
Senator Kohl also has focused on anti-crime legislation, especially crimes related to kids. He reauthorized juvenile justice programs in the federal government and authored laws which prevent the sale of handguns to minors and prohibit handguns from being brought into a school zone. Kohl is the sponsor of the "Child Safety Lock Act," a bill to require the sale of safety locks with handguns to prevent accidental shootings by children.
Senator Kohl serves on the Senate
Appropriations Committee, the Judiciary Committee, and the Special Committee on Aging. Kohl is the chairman of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the budgets of USDA, the FDA and other agencies which include many programs important to farmers and consumers. In 2000, Kohl helped secure more than $100 million in emergency market loss assistance for Wisconsin's dairy farmers. Kohl also serves as the chairman
of the Judiciary's Subcommittee on Antitrust, Business Rights and Competition.
Senator Kohl remains active in Wisconsin charitable activities. In 1990 he established the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Achievement Award Program, which provides annual grants totaling $100,000 to 100 graduating seniors, 100 teachers and 100 schools throughout Wisconsin. In 1995, Kohl donated $25 million to the University of Wisconsin for a new sports arena.
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