Pat Roberts

Bio:  A fourth generation Kansan from Dodge City, Senator Pat Roberts has dedicated his career to public service for the people of Kansas.

Senator Roberts currently serves as the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, becoming the first in history to hold the post in both the House and the Senate.

Senator Roberts also serves on the Senate Health Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Senate Finance Committee, as well as the Senate Rules and Ethics Committees. Over the years, Roberts has built a reputation as a national leader in agriculture, health care and defense. He is an advocate of a strong education system, free and fair trade policies, increased investment in science and technology, a focused foreign policy and a strong military — all of which are necessary to keep Kansas competitive in today’s rapidly evolving global marketplace.

Roberts has been recognized as a leader in food and biosecurity. Most recently, he led the state’s effort to compete and earn the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility.

Kansans also know Roberts as an advocate for the states’ military installations and those who serve in uniform. A former Marine, he played a key role in strengthening Kansas’ military missions despite nationwide base closings – bringing thousands of new jobs to Kansas.

Born in Topeka, Roberts graduated from Kansas State University. He was elected to the House in 1980, and served there until he was elected to the Senate in 1996. Roberts and his wife, Franki, have three children and five grandchildren.

Military Bio:  Following his graduation from Kansas State University, Senator Pat Roberts joined the U.S. Marine Corps on September 15, 1958 entering into the Officer Candidate program in Quantico, Virginia.  Roberts followed family tradition.  His father, Wes Roberts, joined the Marine Corps at age 42 in the midst of World War II and saw action as a Marine Air Ground Major on Iwo Jima and Okinawa with the 27th Marine Division.

Roberts successfully completed Test and Training Regiment (boot camp) and Officer Basic School in Quantico and was assigned to the 3rd Motor Transport Battalion, 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa in 1959.  Lt. Roberts was later assigned to Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion at Camp Courtney where he was assistant officer in charge and later officer in charge of the 3rd Marine Division Information Office.

Following his 3rd Marine Division tour, Roberts returned to Headquarters Company, Marine Corps Schools in Quantico where he was assigned to the Marine Corps Development Center and later became part of a special Education Center unit assigned the task of writing and editing Marine Corps Guerilla Warfare Manual, FMFM  21.  It was during this assignment, Roberts was privileged to work with then colonels and future generals Oscar Peatross, Ed Simmons and future commandant Robert Barrow.  The manual was top priority and enabled the Marine Corps to successfully maintain mission responsibility during the Kennedy Administration.

Roberts was discharged from the Marine Corps on June 1, 1962 and left reserve status as a Captain.  He has been active in Capitol Hill Marines since being elected to the Congress in 1980. He founded the Senate Marine Corps Caucus in 2015 and is currently the most senior Marine in the Congress.

Legislation:

• Officially launched the Veterans History Project in Kansas to encourage veterans in the state to share their stories with the Library of Congress and preserve them for future generations of Americans.
• Leading the fight for construction of a memorial dedicated to the memory of General Eisenhower and our nation’s heroes who served under him.
• Supports VA reform and co-sponsored Senator Isakson’s Veterans First Act (S. 2921).