National Governors Association

Born: November 9, 1936
Birth State: Florida
Party: Democrat
Family: Married Adele Khoury; four children
Religion: United Church of Christ
School(s): University of Florida, Harvard University

Periods in Office:	From:	January 2, 1979
	To:	January 3, 1987

State Web Site

Higher Office(s) Served: Senator

DANIEL ROBERT (BOB) GRAHAM was born in Coral Gables, Florida. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida, and a law degree from Harvard University. Graham was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1966 and the Florida Senate in 1970. He was elected governor in 1978. During his tenure as governor, he chaired chaired the Southern Governors' Association, Southern Growth Policies Board from 1982-1983, Education Commission of the States from 1980-1981, and the Carribbean/Central American Action from 1980-1981. Graham received the Chief State School Officers Award for Most Outstanding Contribution to Education in 1983; the National and Florida Wildliife Federation's Special Conservation Award in 1982; and the Florida Audubon Society Conservationists of the Year Award in 1982. He is a member of the Florida Bar. Graham was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986, and reelected in 1992 and 1998. In 2000, Graham achieved a milestone in his career-long battle to save America's Everglades with congressional approval of a comprehensive plan to restore the "River of Grass." At $7.8 billion, the Everglades restoration is the largest environmental project ever undertaken by the federal government. Graham chairs the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Sources:

Florida State Archives holds the official Governor papers of Robert Graham.

Museum of Florida History: Florida Governors' Portraits