Kenneth A. Roberts | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's at-large district |
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In office January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1965 |
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Preceded by | District inactive |
Succeeded by | District inactive |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 4th district |
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In office January 3, 1951 – January 3, 1963 |
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Preceded by | Sam Hobbs |
Succeeded by | Arthur Andrews |
Personal details | |
Born |
Kenneth Allison Roberts November 1, 1912 Piedmont, Alabama |
Died | May 9, 1989 Potomac, Maryland |
(aged 76)
Political party | Democratic |
Residence | Anniston, Alabama |
Alma mater |
Howard College University of Alabama Law School |
Occupation | Politician |
Kenneth Allison Roberts (November 1, 1912 – May 9, 1989) was a U.S. Representative from Alabama.
Born in Piedmont, Alabama, Roberts attended the public schools and Howard College, Birmingham, Alabama. He was graduated from the University of Alabama Law School in 1935 and admitted to the bar in 1936. He practiced law in Anniston, Alabama (1936) and in Talladega (1937–1942).
Roberts was elected to the Alabama State Senate in 1942 and resigned the same year to enter the United States Navy. He served in both Atlantic and Pacific Theaters until discharged as a lieutenant in 1945. He was president of Piedmont Development Co. from 1945 to 1950. From 1948 to 1950 he served as member of Alabama State Board of Veterans Affairs and city attorney of Piedmont, Alabama.
Roberts was elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-second and to the six succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1951 – January 3, 1965). He was wounded in the 1954 U.S. Capitol shooting incident. In 1957, he voted against H.R. 6127, Civil Rights Act of 1957. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1964 to the Eighty-ninth Congress.
Roberts led the establishment of federal safety legislation through the House of Representatives subcommittee on traffic safety which was formed in 1956.
He resumed the practice of law until his retirement in 1979. From 1965 to 1972 he was Counsel for the Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission. He served as member of the National Highway Safety Advisory Committee from 1966 to 1970.