SPEAKERS
U.S. Congressman Kenny Hulshof
Kenny Hulshof has represented Missouri’s Ninth Congressional District in Congress since 1997. In the U.S. House of Representatives, he serves on the influential Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax, trade, welfare, Medicare and Social Security issues. He also serves on the Budget Committee and the Republican Policy Committee.
On the Ways and Means Committee, Hulshof has championed tax relief to help Missouri families, such as the expanded child credit, marriage penalty relief, reduced income tax rates and repeal of the Death Tax. Congressman Hulshof is working to protect taxpayers from tax hikes by making these common-sense changes a permanent part of the tax code.
He has also been a tireless advocate for the needs of our rural communities. Hulshof has been a leader in the effort to strengthen the ethanol tax incentive and create a new incentive to encourage biodiesel production. He drafted legislation, which is now law, creating a special position within the U.S. Trade Representative’s office to serve as an advocate for rural America in trade negotiations. He is a constant voice for tax and regulatory fairness for farmers.
Recognizing the need to modernize Missouri’s transportation infrastructure, Hulshof has secured millions of dollars to address high priority transportation needs in the Ninth District. As Chairman of the bipartisan House Mississippi River Caucus, Hulshof is spearheading efforts in Congress to modernize locks and dams on the Mississippi River and ensure that our state’s farmers and small businesses can use our inland waterways to get products to market.
Kenny has a deep appreciation for the value of a good education. To make college more affordable, Congressman Hulshof successfully enacted legislation expanding Education Savings Accounts and prepaid tuition plans. Hulshof’s legislation also expanded the student loan interest deduction and made it easier for localities to finance the construction of new public schools.
Hulshof also co-authored legislation creating the Ticket to Work program. This legislation removes many of the financial disincentives – such as the reduced benefits and the threat of losing health care coverage – that discourage individuals with disabilities from striving for economic self-sufficiency. On the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, he has worked to improve the quality of care provided to seniors under the Medicare program and strengthen our health care infrastructure by promoting the use of telemedicine and other groundbreaking medical technologies.
Kenny a native of Bertrand, Missouri where he owns and operates a family farm. Born in 1958 to Paul and Jeri Hulshof, Kenny went on to earn an Agriculture Economics degree from the University of Missouri in 1980 and graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1983. From 1989 until his election to Congress, he was a Special Prosecutor in the Missouri Attorney General’s office. Hulshof specialized in the prosecution of murder cases and has handled more than 60 felony jury trials.
The Hulshof family resides in Columbia, Missouri. Kenny is married to Renee (Howell), a native of Hannibal, Missouri. The Hulshof’s are blessed with two daughters – Casey Elizabeth born October 30, 1999 – and Hanna McKinley born December 7, 2002. The family is active in the Newman Center Catholic Church.
