Roy Romer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Roy Romer
Romer in 2019
Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District
In office June 7, 2000 – November 13, 2006
Preceded by	Ramon C. Cortines (acting)
Succeeded by	David L. Brewer III
General Chair of the Democratic National Committee
In office January 21, 1997 – September 25, 1999 Served with Steven Grossman (national chair)
Preceded by	Chris Dodd
Succeeded by	Ed Rendell
Chair of the National Governors Association
In office August 4, 1992 – August 17, 1993
Preceded by	John Ashcroft
Succeeded by	Carroll A. Campbell Jr.
39th Governor of Colorado
In office January 13, 1987 – January 12, 1999
Lieutenant	Mike Callihan Samuel H. Cassidy Gail Schoettler
Preceded by	Richard Lamm
Succeeded by	Bill Owens
Treasurer of Colorado
In office March 23, 1977 – January 13, 1987
Governor	Richard Lamm
Preceded by	Sam Brown
Succeeded by	Gail Schoettler
Personal details
Born	Roy Rudolf Romer (1928-10-31) October 31, 1928 (age 96) Garden City, Kansas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Bea Miller (died 2023)
Children	7 (including Paul and Chris)
Education	Colorado State University (BA) University of Colorado Boulder (LLB) Yale University
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	US Air Force
Battles/wars	Korean War

Roy Rudolf Romer, born on October 31, 1928, is an American politician. He was the 39th Governor of Colorado from 1987 to 1999. Later, he became the leader of the Los Angeles school system from 2000 to 2006.

Early Life and Education

Roy Romer was born in Garden City, Kansas. He grew up in Holly, Colorado, a town in southeastern Colorado.

He earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from Colorado State University in 1950. While there, he was president of the student association for a year. In 1952, he received a law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law. He also studied ethics at Yale University for a year. Romer served as a legal officer in the U.S. Air Force.

Family Life

Romer was married to Beatrice Miller Romer for 70 years. She passed away in 2023. They had seven children together. Their son, Paul Romer, is a Nobel Prize-winning economist. Another son, Chris Romer, was elected to the Colorado State Senate in 2006. His granddaughter, Rachel Romer Carlson, is a successful business leader.

Starting His Career

In the 1950s and 1960s, Roy Romer worked as an attorney in Denver. He also helped manage his family's farms across Colorado.

Political Journey

Serving Colorado

Romer as governor.

Romer began his political career in the Colorado House of Representatives. He served there from 1958 to 1962. After that, he was a member of the Colorado Senate from 1962 to 1966. In 1966, he ran for U.S. Senator but did not win.

From 1977 to 1987, Romer was Colorado's State Treasurer. He was re-elected twice during this time. In 1986, he was first elected as Governor of Colorado. He won re-election in 1990 and 1994, serving three terms. This made him only the second Colorado governor to do so. In 1997, Governor Romer helped start Western Governors University. This online university was created with governors from Utah and Wyoming.

National Roles

Romer held important national political positions. In 1991, he led the Democratic Governors Association. He also helped write the Democratic Party's platform in 1992. Romer was a national co-chairman for the Clinton-Gore presidential campaign in 1996. In 1997, he became the general chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

From 1992 to 1993, Romer was the chairman of the National Governors Association. He also led the Education Commission of the States from 1994 to 1995. In 1995, he worked with other governors to improve the Medicaid program.

Important Court Cases

Romer v. Evans

During his time as Governor, Roy Romer's name was part of a major court case. This case, called Romer v. Evans, went all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. The case was about a Colorado law that aimed to prevent certain groups from having special legal protections.

Even though Governor Romer personally disagreed with the law, he had to defend it in court. The Supreme Court eventually decided that the law was unfair. They ruled that it did not have a good reason to exist under the U.S. Constitution. This case was important for ensuring fair treatment for all citizens.

Romer v. Grant

In 2004, Roy Romer and the Los Angeles Unified School District filed a lawsuit. They sued a former student, David Grant, over a website domain name, royromer.com. The lawsuit claimed that the website name was used unfairly.

Later, Roy Romer and the school district settled the case. They paid David Grant money to get the domain name.

Later Career and Public Service

On June 7, 2000, Roy Romer became the Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District. He led this large school system for six years. On October 12, 2006, David L. Brewer III was chosen to take his place.

In 2007, Romer became the chairman of Strong American Schools. This group worked to encourage presidential candidates in 2008 to focus on education. The project was supported by important foundations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Honors and Recognition

In 2008, a school in Los Angeles was named after him. Roy Romer Middle School opened to students in September of that year.