Jay Rockefeller

John Davison Rockefeller IV (born June 18, 1937), generally known as Jay Rockefeller, has served as a Democratic U.S. Senator from West Virginia since 1985. He was previously Governor of West Virginia from 1977 to 1985. Rockefeller is a member of the prominent United States Rockefeller family, the great-grandson of oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller, and nephew of former U.S. Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller.

Related Topics:
June 18 - 1937 - Democratic - U.S. Senator - West Virginia - 1985 - Governor of West Virginia - 1977 - United States - Rockefeller family - Tycoon - John D. Rockefeller - U.S. Vice President - Nelson A. Rockefeller

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Born in New York City to John D. Rockefeller III and Blanchette Ferry Hooker, Jay Rockefeller graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1954. He graduated from Harvard University in 1961 with a B.A. in Far Eastern Languages and History, after having spent three years studying Japanese at the International Christian University in Tokyo.

Related Topics:
New York City - John D. Rockefeller III - Blanchette Ferry Hooker - Phillips Exeter Academy - 1954 - Harvard University - 1961 - B.A. - History - Japanese - International Christian University

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After college, Rockefeller worked for the Peace Corps in Washington, D.C. where he served as the operations director for their largest overseas program in the Philippines. He continued his public service in 1964–1965 as a VISTA volunteer, during which he moved to Emmons, West Virginia. However, he almost immediatly filed for public office, changing his political party membership the day before filing for office in the then 4 to 1 democrat state.

Related Topics:
Peace Corps - Washington, D.C. - Philippines - 1964 - 1965 - VISTA - Emmons, West Virginia

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He was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1966, and to the office of West Virginia Secretary of State in 1968. In 1972 he ran for governor, advocating the immediate abolition of surface mining. He lost badly. Following his loss, he served as president of West Virginia Wesleyan College from 1973 to 1976, although he had only a batchelor's degree and no training in educational administration.

Related Topics:
West Virginia House of Delegates - 1966 - West Virginia Secretary of State - 1968 - 1972 - West Virginia Wesleyan College - 1973 - 1976

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He moderated his views and was elected Governor of West Virginia in 1976 and re-elected in 1980. In both of these campains, he outspent his opponents by factors of at least 10 to one.

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In 1984, he was elected to the United States Senate in a campain where he outspent his unknown opponent by a factor of 22 to one, and won 51-49%. He was re-elected in 1990, 1996 and 2002. He was chair of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs (1993–1995; January 3 to January 20, 2001, and June 6, 2001–January 3, 2003). He is currently vice-chairman of the Intelligence Committee.

Related Topics:
1984 - United States Senate - 1990 - 1996 - 2002 - Committee on Veterans' Affairs - 1993 - 1995 - January 3 - January 20 - 2001 - June 6 - 2003 - Intelligence Committee

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Generally regarded as a political liberal Rockefeller supports abortion and socializedhealth care. Rockefeller voted against the 1993 North American Free Trade Agreement.

Related Topics:
Liberal - Abortion - Health care - 1993 - North American Free Trade Agreement

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Since 1967, Rockefeller has been married to the daughter of former U.S. Senator Charles Percy, Sharon Percy with whom he has four children: John, Valerie, Charles, and Justin. The Rockefellers reside in Crystal City, Virginia, where his wife is employed by the Public Broadcasting Service. He maintains a legal residence in Charleston, West Virginia, although he does not live there.

Related Topics:
Charles Percy - Crystal City, Virginia - Public Broadcasting Service - Charleston, West Virginia

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