Bob Kerrey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bob Kerrey
7th President of The New School
In office 2001–2010
Preceded by	Jonathan Fanton
Succeeded by	David E. Van Zandt
United States Senator from Nebraska
In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 2001
Preceded by	David Karnes
Succeeded by	Ben Nelson
Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1999
Leader	Tom Daschle
Preceded by	Bob Graham
Succeeded by	Robert Torricelli
35th Governor of Nebraska
In office January 6, 1983 – January 9, 1987
Lieutenant	Donald McGinley
Preceded by	Charles Thone
Succeeded by	Kay Orr
Personal details
Born	Joseph Robert Kerrey (1943-08-27) August 27, 1943 (age 81) Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
Political party	Republican (before 1978) Democratic (1978–present)
Spouses	Beverly Defnall ​ ​ (m. 1974; div. 1978)​ Sarah Paley ​ (m. 2001)​
Children	3
Education	University of Nebraska–Lincoln (BS)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1966–1969
Rank	Lieutenant (junior grade)
Unit	SEAL Team 1
Battles/wars	Vietnam War (WIA)
Awards	Medal of Honor Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart

Joseph Robert Kerrey (born August 27, 1943) is an American politician. He served as the 35th governor of Nebraska from 1983 to 1987. He was also a United States Senator for Nebraska from 1989 to 2001.

Before becoming a politician, he was a United States Navy SEAL officer in the Vietnam War. He received the Medal of Honor for his bravery. During his service, he was seriously wounded. Later, he faced questions about an event during the war where civilians died. He expressed deep regret about this.

Kerrey ran for president in 1992. After leaving the Senate in 2001, he became the president of The New School, a university in New York City. He held this role until 2010. In 2012, he tried to get his old Senate seat back but lost the election.

Early Life and Education

Bob Kerrey was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on August 27, 1943. His mother, Elinor Fern, was a university instructor. His father, James Henry, was a builder.

He went to public schools in Lincoln. He graduated from Lincoln Northeast High School in 1961. In 1966, he earned a degree in pharmacy from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Military Service

Kerrey joined the United States Navy and became a SEAL officer. He served during the Vietnam War. He completed his training in 1967. In January 1969, he was sent to Vietnam.

On March 14, 1969, Kerrey was badly wounded in combat. He lost part of his right leg. Even though he was hurt, he led his team in a counterattack. For his brave actions, President Richard Nixon gave him the Medal of Honor on May 14, 1970. He was later medically discharged from the Navy because of his injuries.

Thanh Phong Incident

In 2001, news reports discussed an event that happened during Kerrey's time in Vietnam. On February 25, 1969, he led his SEAL team on a mission to a village called Thanh Phong.

Kerrey said his team was shot at from the village. They fired back. After the fighting, they found that some of the people killed were women and children. Kerrey said, "The thing that I will remember until the day I die, is walking in and finding... women and children who were dead." He expressed deep sadness and guilt about this event. He said, "I thought dying for your country was the worst thing that could happen to you... I think killing for your country can be a lot worse."

He received a Bronze Star Medal for the mission. The award said his team had killed enemy fighters. A display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City shows items related to this incident.

Business Career

After his military service, Kerrey started a business career. From 1972 to 1982, he owned and ran a chain of restaurants called Grandmother's Skillet. He also owned fitness centers and a bowling alley.

He also gained early political experience. He worked on a voter registration drive in 1971. He also helped a friend win a seat in the state legislature. He was also a member of Lincoln's Human Rights Commission.

Governor of Nebraska

In 1982, Kerrey ran for Governor of Nebraska. He won the election by a small margin. He served one term, from 1983 to 1987. He did not run for reelection in 1986.

As governor, Kerrey worked on important issues. These included welfare reform, education improvements, and job training. He also focused on protecting the environment. Many of his programs became examples for other states.

In 1986, he made national news. He ordered the Nebraska State Patrol to stop a train carrying nuclear waste. The federal government had not told him about the shipment. He even had the Nebraska Army National Guard park a tank on the tracks. This was to make sure the train did not move forward. After discussions, the train was allowed to go. The federal government agreed to tell state officials about future shipments.

U.S. Senate

Elections

1988

In 1988, Kerrey ran for a U.S. Senate seat. He won the Democratic primary easily. In the main election, he defeated the Republican candidate, David Karnes.

1994

Kerrey was re-elected for his second term in 1994. He won against businesswoman Jan Stoney.

2012

In 2012, Kerrey ran for his old Senate seat again. The current Senator, Ben Nelson, was retiring. But Kerrey lost to Republican candidate Deb Fischer.

Tenure

As a Senator, Kerrey was part of important committees. These included the Agriculture Committee and the Finance Committee. He was also on the Appropriations Committee from 1989 to 1996. From 1995 to 1999, he was the vice chairman of the Intelligence Committee. He also led the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

One of his most famous votes was for President Bill Clinton's budget plan in 1993. His vote was the deciding one.

9/11 Commission

After leaving the Senate, Kerrey joined the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. This group is also known as the 9/11 Commission. Congress created the commission to investigate the September 11, 2001, attacks. Its goal was to find out what happened and suggest ways to prevent future attacks. The commission released its final report on July 22, 2004.

1992 Presidential Election

In September 1991, Kerrey announced he would run for president. He sought the Democratic nomination for the 1992 election. At first, he was seen as a strong candidate. However, his campaign struggled compared to Arkansas governor Bill Clinton.

Kerrey finished third in the New Hampshire primary. He later won the South Dakota primary. But he dropped out of the race after finishing fourth in the Colorado primary. He was considered as a possible vice presidential candidate for Bill Clinton, but Al Gore was chosen instead.

The New School

Kerrey served as President of The New School from 2001 to 2010. During his time, the university grew a lot. He helped raise a lot of money for the school. The school's funding more than doubled. He also got a lot of federal money for the university.

Under his leadership, the university started many new academic programs. The number of students increased by 44%. The number of full-time teachers also grew. He helped create a Faculty Senate. This helped set standards for teachers.

In 2005, Kerrey announced that the university was changing its name. It went from "New School University" to "The New School." Its eight parts became separate, specialized schools.

In 2008, some senior teachers voted that they had "no confidence" in his leadership. This was a symbolic vote. But the university's Board of Trustees fully supported Kerrey.

In December 2008, students occupied the university cafeteria. They wanted some school officials to resign. Kerrey talked with the students. The occupation ended after 30 hours. Kerrey agreed to not punish the students. He also agreed to more student space and input in school decisions.

In April 2009, students occupied a building again. They demanded Kerrey resign. Police entered the building and arrested 22 students. The occupation ended after five hours.

Kerrey's time as president ended on January 1, 2011. He was named President Emeritus.

Personal Life

Kerrey at the LBJ Library in 2016

While he was Governor of Nebraska, Kerrey dated actress Debra Winger. She was filming a movie in Lincoln at the time. When asked about their relationship, Kerrey joked, "What can I say—she swept me off my foot." This was a clever way to refer to his leg injury from the war.

Kerrey is good friends with fellow Vietnam veteran Jim Webb. In 2006, he helped convince Webb to run for the U.S. Senate. Kerrey helped with Webb's fundraising.

Kerrey married Sarah Paley in 2001. They have a son named Henry. He also has two children, Ben and Lindsey, from his first marriage. He has several grandchildren.

Kerrey describes himself as an agnostic.

In 2008, a pedestrian bridge was named in his honor. It connects Omaha, Nebraska, with Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Awards and Decorations

Images for kids

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  This drain pipe is on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City. It is described as a place where children hid during the Thanh Phong incident.

See also

In Spanish: Bob Kerrey para niños

• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War
• Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge