Gerald Neal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gerald Neal
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Neal in 2011
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| Minority Leader of the Kentucky Senate | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Morgan McGarvey |
| Member of the Kentucky Senate from the 33rd district |
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| Assumed office January 1, 1989 |
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| Preceded by | Georgia Davis Powers |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Gerald Anthony Neal
September 22, 1945 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Kathy Cooksie |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Simmons College of Kentucky Kentucky State University (BA) University of Louisville (JD) University of Michigan |
Gerald Anthony Neal was born on September 22, 1945. He is an American politician and a lawyer. He belongs to the Democratic Party. Since January 1989, he has been a member of the Kentucky Senate, representing District 33.
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Who is Gerald Neal?
Gerald Neal is a long-serving politician in Kentucky. He has dedicated his career to public service and making a difference in his community. He is known for working on important laws that help people, especially children and those needing support.
Early Life and Education
Gerald Neal grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. He finished Shawnee High School in 1963. He then went to Kentucky State University, where he earned a degree in History and Political Science in 1967. Later, he received an honorary doctorate.
He continued his education at the Brandeis School of Law, University of Louisville, earning a law degree in 1972. He also studied Political Science at the University of Michigan. After his studies, he returned to Kentucky to start his law career.
A Career in Public Service
Gerald Neal began his career helping others. He worked at the Legal Aid Society and the Neighborhood Youth Corps before 1974. These roles showed his commitment to social justice and helping communities. In 1974, he was appointed to a group that studied how justice worked for young people.
Helping the Community
In 1975, Neal joined the Jefferson County Welfare Advisory Board. He also worked for public health and safety. He became an assistant director for the Louisville Department of Public Health and Safety. This job involved making sure the city was a safe and healthy place for everyone.
He was elected President of the Kentucky National Bar Association in 1977. This group helps Black lawyers and judges. In 1979, he was appointed to the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) board. He later became its chairman in 1983. This role involved overseeing the city's sewer system.
Leading in the Senate
In April 1988, Gerald Neal was elected to the Kentucky Senate from the 33rd district. He has held this position ever since, making him one of the longest-serving African American members of the Kentucky General Assembly. He was the second African American, and the first African American man, elected to the Kentucky State Senate.
In 2014, he became the Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman. This made him the first African American to hold a leadership position in the history of Kentucky's Senate. He has also taught courses at the University of Louisville on topics like history, government, and civil rights. He also practices law with his own firm.
Neal founded the Kentucky African American All Children's Caucus. This group works to improve education for all children. He also started The African American Community Agenda Initiative (AAI). AAI focuses on research and education to help make positive changes in the community.
Important Laws and Changes
In the Kentucky Senate, Gerald Neal has worked on many important laws. He has pushed for laws that make sure all school districts offer equal chances for education. He founded the Kentucky Education Reform African American and All Children's Caucus to support this goal.
He sponsored the law that created the KCHIP Program. This program helps provide health care for children in Kentucky who do not have insurance. He also helped expand Medicaid coverage for children.
Neal sponsored laws to identify the special needs of older minority populations. He also helped create the African American Heritage Commission. He has worked to change the Kentucky Constitution to remove segregation by race. He also sponsored laws to stop racial profiling by police and to prevent executions if racial bias was involved in the case.
In 2010, the Senate passed his resolution. This resolution confirmed the importance of equality for all people. It recognized the need for fairness in the United States and Kentucky.
Awards and Recognition
Senator Neal has received many awards for his service. He received the Clarence Mitchell Award for supporting Civil Rights laws. He also got the Anderson Laureate Award for his impact on his community and state.
Other honors include the 1998 Man of the Year from Sigma Pi Phi fraternity and the 2001 Distinguished Citizen Award from the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He received the Georgia Davis Powers Humanitarian Award and two Public Advocate Awards for his work on racial justice laws. He also earned the Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2001, he was inducted into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame. In 2012, he was added to the Gallery of Great Black Kentuckians. He has also served in leadership roles for the National Bar Association.
Personal Life
Gerald Neal is married to Kathy Cooksie. They have two children, Brandon and Kristin. In September 2020, he was hospitalized with COVID-19.
