Pete Stark

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Pete Stark
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 13th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 1993
Preceded by Norman Yoshio Mineta
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 9th district
In office
January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1993
Preceded by Don Edwards
Succeeded by Ron Dellums
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 8th district
In office
January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1975
Preceded by George Miller
Succeeded by Ron Dellums
Personal details
Born Fortney Hillman Stark, Jr.
November 11, 1931 (1931-11-11) (age 80)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nationality American
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Deborah Roderick
Residence Harwood, Maryland
Alma mater MIT (B.S.)
University of California, Berkeley (M.B.A.)
Occupation Banking Executive
Politician
Committees Ways & Means Committee
Religion Unitarian Universalist, Atheist[1][2][3]
Website petestark.com
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch Air Force
Years of service 1955-1957

Fortney Hillman "Pete" Stark, Jr. (born November 11, 1931) is the U.S. Representative for California's 13th congressional district, serving since 1973. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Currently he is the 5th most senior Representative, as well as 6th most senior member of Congress overall. He is also the dean of California's 55-member Congressional delegation. His district lies in southwestern Alameda County and includes Alameda, Union City, Hayward, Newark, San Leandro and Fremont, as well as parts of Oakland and Pleasanton.[4]

Contents

[edit] Early life, education, and banking career

Stark was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in general engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1953.[5] He served in the United States Air Force from 1955 to 1957. After leaving the Air Force, Stark attended the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, and received his MBA in 1960. Stark enjoyed living in the Bay Area so much that he decided to settle there after graduating.[citation needed]

In 1963, Stark founded Security National Bank, a small bank in Walnut Creek. Within 10 years it grew to a $100 million company with branches across the East Bay.[citation needed]

[edit] U.S. House of Representatives

[edit] Elections

In 1972, Stark moved to Oakland to run in the Democratic primary against 14-term incumbent U.S. Representative George Paul Miller in what was then the 8th district. He won the Democratic primary with 56% of the vote, a 34-point margin.[6] In the 1972 general election, he defeated Republican Lew Warden with 53% of the vote, the lowest winning percentage of his career. He has since been re-elected 18 times, and has only dropped below 60 percent of the vote twice (1980 and 1990). In 1980, he won with just 54%, and in 1990 he won with 58% of the vote. Due to redistricting, his district has changed numbers twice, from the 8th (1973–75) to the 9th (1975–93) to the 13th (since 1993).

He was unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the 2008 election[7] and was re-elected in the general election with 76.3% of the vote.[8]

[edit] Tenure

Currently, Stark is the longest-serving member of Congress from California.

Fiscal policy

Stark voted against the bipartisan May 2008 farm subsidy bill, which was supported by most House Democrats and over half of House Republicans, in part because of its cost.[9][10]

He also voted against both readings of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which gave $700 billion dollars to troubled investment banks.[11][12] Stark argued that "the proposed bailout will only help reckless speculators who have been caught on the wrong side of the come line." Criticizing the bill as corporate welfare, he said "The bill before us today is basically the same three-page Wall Street give-away first put forth by President Bush" before the vote on the first bailout.[13][14]

On September 25, 2008, Stark and Peter DeFazio signed a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi proposing a one quarter of one percent “transaction tax” on all trades in financial instruments including stocks, options, and futures. On September 29, 2008, Stark voted against HR 3997, the bailout bill backed by President Bush, House Speaker Pelosi and presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain, and the bill subsequently failed to pass. Explaining his vote, Stark stated, "President Bush tells us that we face unparalleled financial doom if this $700 billion bailout is not approved today. He and his Treasury Secretary—a former Wall Street fat cat—tell us that we have reached the point of 'crisis.' That is a familiar line from this President. It sounds like the disastrous rush to war in Iraq and the subsequent stampede to enact the Patriot Act. As I opposed the Iraq War and the Patriot Act, I stand in opposition to his latest rush to judgment."[15]

On October 3, 2008, Stark voted against HR 1424, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. With this vote, Stark became the sole member of the House of Representatives from the San Francisco Bay Area to oppose the bill.[16] Explaining his vote, Stark stated, "You're getting the same kind of misinformation now, the same kind of rush to judgment to tell you that a crisis will occur. It won't. Vote 'no.' Come back and help work on a bill that will help all Americans." [16]

Health care

Stark is known to have a longstanding interest in health care issues and was critical of the fate of the uninsured under the George W. Bush administration.[17]

Along with John Conyers, in April 2006 Stark brought an action against President Bush and others alleging violations of the Constitution in the passing of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, which cut Medicaid payments.[18] The case, Conyers v. Bush, was ultimately dismissed for lack of standing in November of the same year.[19]

Iraq War
Pete Stark speaks at a Town Hall meeting in January 2007 in San Leandro, CA.

Pete Stark was an early opponent of the Iraq War, speaking on the floor against the resolution authorizing military force against Iraq, on October 10, 2002. In part he said, "Well then, who will pay? School kids will pay. There'll be no money to keep them from being left behind—way behind. Seniors will pay. They'll pay big time as the Republicans privatize Social Security and rob the Trust Fund to pay for the capricious war. Medicare will be curtailed and drugs will be more unaffordable. And there won't be any money for a drug benefit because Bush will spend it all on the war. Working folks will pay through loss of job security and bargaining rights. Our grandchildren will pay through the degradation of our air and water quality. And the entire nation will pay as Bush continues to destroy civil rights, women's rights and religious freedom in a rush to phony patriotism and to courting the messianic Pharisees of the religious right."[20]

In January 2003 Stark supported a reinstatement of the draft, partly in protest against the call to war but also saying, "If we're going to have these escapades, we should not do it on the backs of poor people and minorities."[21] In October 2004, Stark was one of only two members of Congress to vote in favor of the Universal National Service Act of 2003 (HR 163), a bill proposing resumption of the military draft.[22]

He has not voted for any bills to continue funding the Iraq war, but has voted 'present' for some. In a statement posted on his website he explained, "Despite my utmost respect for my colleagues who crafted this bill, I can't in good conscience vote to continue this war. Nor, however, can I vote 'No' and join those who think today's legislation goes too far toward withdrawal. That's why I'm making the difficult decision to vote 'present'."[23] Stark was the only member of Congress to take this position.

Committee leadership

He has been a ranking member of the Banking and Currency Committee and is currently a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee. He also served as chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia in the 103rd Congress.

When Ways & Means Chairman Charlie Rangel stepped down in March 2010 over ethics charges, Stark was in line to assume the chairmanship since he was the next most senior Democrat on the committee. However Stark was only chairman for one day, as he was ousted by the younger Ways & Means members led by Chris Van Hollen, who saw Stark's history of intemperate remarks as a liability during an election year; Stark was replaced by Sander Levin who was the third-most senior member of Ways & Means.[24]

Atheism

"[I am] a Unitarian who does not believe in a Supreme Being. I look forward to working with the Secular Coalition to stop the promotion of narrow religious beliefs in science, marriage contracts, the military and the provision of social service."

Statement from Stark, January 2007[2]

Stark is the first openly atheist member of Congress, as announced by the Secular Coalition for America.[25] Stark acknowledged that he is an atheist in response to an SCA questionnaire sent to public officials in January 2007.

On September 20, 2007, Stark reaffirmed that he is an atheist by making a public announcement in front of the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard, the Harvard Law School Heathen Society, and various other atheist, agnostic, secular, humanist, and nonreligious groups.[26] The American Humanist Association named him their 2008 Humanist of the Year,[27] and he now serves on the AHA Advisory Board.

[edit] Committee assignments

Caucuses

[edit] Electoral history

United States House of Representatives elections, 1972[29]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark 101,024 52.9%
Republican Lew M. Warden, Jr. 89,948 47.1%
Totals 190,972 100%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 1974[30]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark 87,854 70.6%
Republican Edson Adams 36,522 29.4%
Totals 124,376 100%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 1976[31]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark (incumbent) 116,398 70.8%
Republican James K. Mills 44,607 27.1%
Peace and Freedom Albert L. Sargis 3,386 2.1%
Totals 164,391 100%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 1978[32]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark (incumbent) 88,179 65.4%
Republican Robert S. Allen 41,138 30.5%
Peace and Freedom Lawrance J. Phillips 5,562 4.1%
Totals 134,879 100%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 1980[33]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark (incumbent) 90,504 53.8%
Republican William J. "Bill" Kennedy 67,265 40%
Libertarian Tod Mikuriya 10,465 6.2%
Totals 168,234 100%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 1982[34]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark (incumbent) 104,393 60.7%
Republican William H. "Bill" Kennedy 67,702 39.4%
Totals 172,095 100%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 1984[35]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark (incumbent) 136,511 69.9%
Republican J.T. Eager Beaver 51,399 26.3%
Libertarian Martha Fuhrig 7,398 3.8%
Totals 195,308 100%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 1986[36]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark (incumbent) 113,490 69.7%
Republican David M. Williams 49,300 30.3%
Totals 162,790 100%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 1988[37]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark (incumbent) 152,866 73.0%
Republican Howard Hertz 56,656 27.0%
Totals 209,522 100%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 1990[38]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark (incumbent) 94,739 58.4%
Republican Victor Romero 67,412 41.6%
Totals 162,151 100%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 1992[39]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark 123,795 60.2%
Republican Verne Teyler 64,953 31.6%
Peace and Freedom Roslyn A. Allen 16,768 8.2%
Totals 205,516 100%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 1994[40]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark (incumbent) 97,344 64.6%
Republican Larry Molton 45,555 30.2%
Libertarian Robert "Bob" Gough 7,743 5.2%
Totals 150,642 100%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 1996[41]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark (incumbent) 114,408 65.2%
Republican James S. Fay 53,385 30.4%
Libertarian Terry C. Savage 7,746 4.4%
Totals 175,539 100%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 1998[42]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark (incumbent) 101,671 71.2%
Republican James R. Goetz 38,050 26.6%
Natural Law Karnig Beylikjian 3,066 2.2%
Totals 142,787 100%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 2000[43]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark (incumbent) 129,012 70.5%
Republican James R. Goetz 44,499 24.3%
Libertarian Howard Mora 4,623 2.6%
Natural Law Timothy R. Hoehner 2,647 1.4%
American Independent Don J. Grundmann 2,365 1.2%
Totals 183,146 100%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 2002[44]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark (incumbent) 86,495 71.1%
Republican Syed R. Mahmood 26,852 22.1%
Libertarian Mark W. Stroberg 3,703 3.1%
American Independent Don J. Grundmann 2,772 2.2%
Reform John J. Bambey 1,901 1.5%
Totals 121,723 100%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 2004[45]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark (incumbent) 144,605 71.7%
Republican George I. Bruno 48,439 24.0%
Libertarian Mark W. Stroberg 8,877 4.3%
Totals 201,921 100%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 2006[46]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark (incumbent) 110,756 74.9%
Republican George I. Bruno 37,141 25.1%
Totals 147,897 100%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 2008[47]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark (incumbent) 166,829 76.5%
Republican Raymond Chui 51,447 23.5%
Totals 218,276 100%
Voter turnout  %
Democratic hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 2010[47]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Fortney H. "Pete" Stark (incumbent) 118,278 72.0%
Republican Forest Baker 45,545 27.7%
Democratic hold

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Pete_Stark.htm
  2. ^ a b Marinucci, Carla (March 14, 2007). "Stark's atheist views break political taboo". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/03/14/MNG7BOKV111.DTL. Retrieved 2007-12-21. 
  3. ^ http://media.www.hlrecord.org/media/storage/paper609/news/2007/09/27/News/U.s-Rep.Pete.Stark.comes.Out.As.An.Atheist-3000553.shtml?reffeature=mostemailedtab
  4. ^ "Rep. Pete Stark, D-Md.". San Francisco Gate: p. A12. 2009-03-24. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/23/EDQG16LHLD.DTL. Retrieved 2 July 2010. 
  5. ^ MIT 'Loses' One Seat in US Congress November 14, 1990
  6. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=236037
  7. ^ "County finalizes primary ballots", Insidebayarea.com, March 11, 2008.
  8. ^ "U.S. Congress - District 13 Districtwide Results", California Secretary of State website . Retrieved November 17, 2008.
  9. ^ http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll315.xml
  10. ^ Post (2009-03-20). "Congress's Own Liechtenstein - WSJ.com". Online.wsj.com. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123751291083991301.html. Retrieved 2010-08-13. 
  11. ^ http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll674.xml
  12. ^ http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll681.xml
  13. ^ Stoller, Matt. "Opening the Day: Democrat Pete Stark Goes After Paulson's "irresponsible rumor mongering hogwash"". Open Left. http://www.openleft.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=8516. Retrieved 2010-08-13. 
  14. ^ Sun, Alameda (2008-10-02). "Stark's Vote Helps Quash Bailout". Alameda Sun. http://alamedasun.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3960&Itemid=11. Retrieved 2010-08-13. 
  15. ^ [1]
  16. ^ a b    (2008-10-03). "A look at how Bay Area lawmakers voted on the bailout | abc7news.com". Abclocal.go.com. http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/politics&id=6431352. Retrieved 2010-08-13. 
  17. ^ Benjamin, Matthew; Kerry Young (August 30, 2006). "46 Million Live in U.S. Without Health Insurance". New York Sun: p. 2. http://www.nysun.com/article/38815?page_no=2. Retrieved 2007-10-01. 
  18. ^ "11 House Members to Sue Over Budget Bill". USA Today. Associated Press. 28 April 2006. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-04-28-budget-lawsuit_x.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-01. 
  19. ^ "Judge Dismisses Budget Bill Lawsuit". ABC News. Associated Press. 6 November 2006. http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2633701. Retrieved 2007-10-01. [dead link]
  20. ^ Excerpts From House Debate on the Use of Military Force Against Iraq The New York Times, 10 Oct. 2002, p.A21 New York Edition.
  21. ^ Epstein, Edward (23 January 2003). "Stark Joins Call to Restore Draft". Common Dreams NewsCenter. http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0123-04.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-01. 
  22. ^ http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2004/roll494.xml
  23. ^ "Congressional Record: U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act, 2007". GovTrack.us. 23 March 2007. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/record.xpd?id=110-h20070323-19#sMonofilemx003Ammx002Fmmx002Fmmx002Fmhomemx002Fmgovtrackmx002Fmdatamx002Fmusmx002Fm110mx002Fmcrmx002Fmh20070323-19.xmlElementm164m0m0m. Retrieved 2007-09-30. 
  24. ^ Washington Post's Michigan's Sander Levin replaces Rangel as House Ways and Means chairman of 05 March, 2010; retrieved 28 October 2010
  25. ^ "Congressman Holds No God-Belief". Secular Coalition for America. March 12, 2007. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070928021401/http://www.secular.org/news/pete_stark_070312.html. Retrieved 2007-10-01. 
  26. ^ Phillips, Amanda (27 September 2007). "U.S. Rep. Pete Stark "Comes Out" as an Atheist". Common Dreams NewsCenter. http://media.www.hlrecord.org/media/storage/paper609/news/2007/09/27/News/U.s-Rep.Pete.Stark.comes.Out.As.An.Atheist-3000553.shtml?reffeature=mostemailedtab. Retrieved 2007-10-01. 
  27. ^ "Representative Pete Stark Named 2008 Humanist of the Year". American Humanist Association. June 6, 2008. http://www.americanhumanist.org/news/details/2008-06-representative-pete-stark-named-2008-humanist-of-the-year-nontheist-leaders-gather-in-washington-to-unify-efforts-and-honor-trailblazers-. 
  28. ^ Subcommittee on Health Members
  29. ^ Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives "STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 7, 1972," (retrieved on August 6th, 2009).
  30. ^ Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives "STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 4, 1974," (retrieved on August 6th, 2009).
  31. ^ Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives "STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 2, 1976," (retrieved on August 6th, 2009).
  32. ^ Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives "STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 7, 1978," (retrieved on August 6th, 2009).
  33. ^ Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives "STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 4, 1980," (retrieved on August 6th, 2009).
  34. ^ Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives "STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 2, 1982," (retrieved on August 6th, 2009).
  35. ^ Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives "STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 6, 1984," (retrieved on August 6th, 2009).
  36. ^ Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives "STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 4, 1986," (retrieved on August 6th, 2009).
  37. ^ Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives "STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 8, 1988," (retrieved on August 6th, 2009).
  38. ^ Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives "STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 6, 1990," (retrieved on August 6th, 2009).
  39. ^ Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives "STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 3, 1992," (retrieved on August 6th, 2009).
  40. ^ Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives "STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 8, 1994," (retrieved on August 6th, 2009).
  41. ^ Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives "STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 5, 1996," (retrieved on August 6th, 2009).
  42. ^ Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives "STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 3, 1998," (retrieved on August 6th, 2009).
  43. ^ Office of the California Secretary of State "United States Representative in Congress," (retrieved on August 6th, 2009).
  44. ^ Office of the California Secretary of State "United States Representative in Congress," (retrieved on August 6th, 2009).
  45. ^ Office of the California Secretary of State "United States Representative in Congress," (retrieved on August 6th, 2009).
  46. ^ Office of the California Secretary of State "United States Representative in Congress," (retrieved on August 6th, 2009).
  47. ^ a b Office of the California Secretary of State "United States Representative in Congress," (retrieved on August 6th, 2009).

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United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
George P. Miller		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 8th congressional district
1973–1975		 Succeeded by
Ron Dellums
Preceded by
Don Edwards		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 9th congressional district
1975–1993		 Succeeded by
Ron Dellums
Preceded by
Norman Mineta		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 13th congressional district
1993–present		 Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Ron Dellums
California		 Chairman of the House District of Columbia Committee
1993–1995		 Succeeded by
Duties transferred to Government Reform and Oversight Committee
United States order of precedence
Preceded by
Bill Young
R-Florida		 United States Representatives by seniority
5th		 Succeeded by
Don Young
R-Alaska
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