John M. Agrey Award
2002 Recipient
Byron Dorgan
North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan has been an effective friend to transportation as well as a strong voice for North Dakota and the nation. He was re-elected in 1998 by an overwhelming majority after serving one term in the U.S. Senate and six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Senator Dorgan, a native of Regent, N.D., knows rural travel and transport issues well. His family worked in the farm equipment and petroleum business, and raised cattle and horses. Due to his background, he understands, from the ground up, the issues of surface transportation, railroads, transit and air travel.
He was instrumental in directing highway funding to North Dakota, raising roads at Devils Lake, and support for the Advanced Traffic Analysis Center at North Dakota State University. Senator Dorgan has been a leader on legislation to break down the monopolies in the rail industry and call for a moratorium on rail mergers.
Air transportation for both people and goods can be testy in small population areas. Senator Dorgan worked closely with airlines to maintain essential services. Post September 11 last year he was diligent in restoring services.
For those on the ground, he has provided funding to upgrade buses and facilities. Understanding the continuing need for rural public transit, he secured funds for a new transit center to study transit in small urban areas. SURTC, the Small Urban & Rural Transit Center, is part of the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute.
The first North Dakotan to become chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee, Senator Dorgan earned his bachelor's degree from the University of North Dakota and his MBA from the University of Denver. He was the youngest constitutional officer in North Dakota's history when he was appointed State Tax Commissioner at age 26. In 1972 and 1976 he was re-elected to the position.
Senator Dorgan is married to Kim Dorgan and has four children: Scott, Shelley (deceased), Brendon and Haley.
