Summary
FORD, Wendell Hampton, a Senator from Kentucky; born near Owensboro, Daviess County, Ky., September
8, 1924; attended the public schools of Daviess County; attended the University of Kentucky
1942-1943; graduated, Maryland School of Insurance 1947; engaged in insurance business in
Kentucky; served in the United States Army 1944-1946; Kentucky National Guard 1942-1962; chief
assistant to Kentucky Governor 1959-1961; member, State senate 1965-1967; lieutenant governor
1967-1971; Governor of Kentucky 1971-1974; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate in
November 1974 for the term commencing January 3, 1975; subsequently appointed by the
Governor, December 28, 1974, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Marlow W. Cook for
the term ending January 3, 1975; reelected in 1980, 1986, and again in 1992 for the term ending
January 3, 1999; not a candidate for reelection in 1998; Democratic whip 1991-1999; chairman,
Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences (Ninety-fifth Congress), Democratic Senatorial
Campaign Committee (Ninety-fifth through Ninety-seventh Congresses), Select Committee to Study
the Committee System (Ninety-eighth Congress), Committee on Rules and Administration (One
Hundredth through One Hundred Third Congresses), Joint Committee on Printing (One Hundred First
and One Hundred Third Congresses).
