Representative Roger Bruce
HD 64 (D - Atlanta)
First elected in 2002, Representative Roger Bruce serves the constituents of House District 64 including parts of Atlanta, as well as unincorporated parts of Douglas and Fulton counties. He currently serves as a member of the House Committees on Game, Fish & Parks, Judiciary-Civil, and Motor Vehicles.
Born in Harlem, New York, Bruce later attended St. Emma Military Academy, a historical military high school in Virginia, where he graduated as the battalion executive officer commanding hundreds of his peers. After high school, Bruce went on to study political science at Morehouse College in Atlanta. As a student, he not only succeeded academically but also displayed great concern for his fellow students and the next generation of students. He was president of the Political Science Club and re-instituted the “Frederick Douglas Tutorial Institute” to help high school students struggling in school. During college, he also interned for former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson’s law firm – Jackson, Peterson, Parks and Franklin.
His professional career includes time spent as the East Coast Director of Human Resources for the Burger King division of the Pillsbury Company, where he spearheaded an effort to raise money to purchase bullet proof vests for City of Atlanta police officers. Bruce is currently the Vice President of Human Resources for Atlanta Life Financial Group.
Bruce is a member of the 1980 Leadership Atlanta class and at the time was one of the program’s youngest participants. He is the past president of the PTA for both A. Philip Randolph Elementary School and Ben Hill Pre-School where his children attended. He is also a past member of the West End Rotary Club. Currently, Bruce serves on the Usher Board at Cascade United Methodist Church, on the Board of Trustees for the Interdenominational Theological Center, and on the board of Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority. Additionally, he is on the Board for All Children are Special which is dedicated to assisting families that have children with special needs.
Bruce was one of five members of the General Assembly selected by the Center for Policy Alternatives to participate in a one year national leadership development program. Upon completion of the program he was honored to be recognized as a Flemming Fellow, a very select group of national policy makers.
As a legislator, Bruce has focused much of his work on helping the elderly and young people. He was the original sponsor of the “Time Out for Schools Act” meant to allow parents time off from work to attend necessary meetings and functions at their child’s school without fear of loosing their jobs. The idea for the bill actually came after Bruce paid a visit to A. Philip Randolph Elementary School. A 10 year old student contacted Bruce about sponsoring the bill and the idea then became a project for the entire school. When it was first introduced, the bill passed the House but not the Senate. An expanded version known as the “Parent Protection Act” will be introduced during the 2008 legislative session and will include additional provisions to allow parents time off for additional parenting responsibilities such as taking children to doctor’s appointments.
Another key piece of legislation championed by Bruce resulted in the contractor licensing we know today. While visiting a neighborhood during a campaign, Bruce met a woman who invited him into her home and explained to him how she hired and paid a contractor to remodel her kitchen. Unfortunately, the contractor ripped out her kitchen then demanded more money than was agreed upon to finish the job. Upon further investigation, Bruce learned this same contractor had victimized others in a similar fashion. Bruce felt compelled to act and worked to ensure our contractors are held to a higher ethical and professional standard.
Many organizations have recognized Bruce for his leadership and commitment to his constituents. He has been recognized by the Council on Aging for his work with the elderly and was named “Legislator of the Year” by the organization in 2003. The Atlanta Police Department and WSB TV have both honored him with Community Service Awards.
Bruce has been married to his bride, Angela, for over 20 years. They have 3 children and 2 grandchildren.