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Connecticut
Gov. John G. Rowland
- January 4, 1995 - July 1, 2004
- Republican
- May 24, 1957
- Connecticut
- Villanova University
- Married Patricia L. Rowland; five childre
- Resigned
About
JOHN G. ROWLAND was born in Waterbury, Connecticut. He received a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University in 1979. He has had a long public service career, including two terms in the Connecticut State Legislature, from 1981 to 1985, and three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, from 1985 to 1991. While in Congress, he served on the Armed Services, Intelligence, and Veterans’ Affairs Committees. He was elected governor in November 1994, becoming the youngest person ever elected to this office in Connecticut. He was elected in 1998 to a second term and again in 2002 for a historic third term. Rowland made responsible budgeting, economic growth, and improving the quality of life for Connecticut families his highest priorities. Business taxes and income tax rates were cut year after year, and the welfare rolls during his term were the lowest in a decade. He worked to rebuild the state’s education system from the ground up with major capital investments in public schools and universities. He also made a landmark commitment to preserve Connecticut’s natural resources, by acquiring 455,000 additional acres of open space and ensuring the aggressive cleanup of Long Island Sound. Rowland received many public service awards, including the Malcolm Baldridge and Ella Grasso awards. In 2001, he received the Excellence in Leadership award from the Women Executives in State Government and the Outstanding Arts Leadership award from Americans for the Arts. He received the Jacob Javits Excellence in Public Service award from the Ripon Society in 1995. In 2003, Rowland was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and received its Outstanding American Award, which recognizes individuals who have used the disciplines of the sport to launch notable careers in other areas. Rowland served on several committees as an advisor to the Bush Administration, including the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy & Negotiations and the State and Local Senior Advisory Committee of the National Homeland Security Advisory Council. During his tenure as governor, he served as the chairman of the New England Governors’ Conference three times. He also served on the National Governors Association Executive Committee. Rowland and his wife, Patty, have five children between them – Kirsten, Ryan, Robert John, Scott, and Julianne. Rowland resigned the governorship in July 2004 after a Connecticut House of Representatives committee began investigation into possible impeachment for alleged ethics violations.