Ruth M. Kirk
Ruth M. Kirk | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 44th district | |
| In office January 1995 – January 2011 | |
| Succeeded by | Keiffer J. Mitchell, Jr. |
| Constituency | Baltimore City |
| Maryland House of Delegates (39th District) | |
| In office 1983–1995 | |
| Succeeded by | (redistricting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 2, 1930 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | June 17, 2011 (aged 81) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Arthur F. Kirk II |
| Children | Six children |
| Residence(s) | Baltimore, Maryland |
Ruth M. Kirk (February 2, 1930 – June 17, 2011)[1] was an American politician who represented the 44th legislative district in the Maryland House of Delegates.[2] She was elected 7 times and served a total of 28 years representing west and west central Baltimore.
Background
[edit]Born Ruth Simmons in Baltimore, Delegate Kirk was the fifth of eight children. She attended Baltimore City public schools through the ninth grade and later received a GED. Prior to being elected to The Maryland General Assembly, Kirk held jobs as a house cleaner and in early childhood education. In 1970, Kirk took a job at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (Baltimore, Maryland), working as a teacher's aide.[3]
In the Legislature
[edit]Kirk was first elected in 1982 and sworn in as a member of House of Delegates on January 12, 1983. She was appointed to the Constitutional and Administrative Law Committee and served on it until its elimination in 1990. She was then appointed to the Economic Matters Committee where she served until 2011. There, she served on its deathcare industry work group; workers' compensation subcommittee, 1995–2003; real estate & housing subcommittee, 1999–2003; business regulation subcommittee, 2003–11; property & casualty insurance subcommittee, 2003–06). During her career in the legislature, Kirk also served as a member of the Tort and Insurance Reform Oversight Committee, 1993; the House Facilities Committee, 1993–2011; the Joint Committee on Federal Relations, 1999–2004; the Protocol Committee, 2007–11, the Liaison Work Group of the Baltimore City Delegation, the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland (formerly Maryland Black Caucus), 1983-2011 (member, nominating committee, 2000–11, redistricting committee, 2000–11; past chair, budget committee; past treasurer), the Women Legislators of Maryland, 1983-2011 (president, 1994); the Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2006–11, and the National Black Caucus of State Legislators. Outside of the legislature she was a member of the National Order of Women Legislators; and the Southern Legislative Conference (economic development, transportation & cultural affairs committee, 2005–11; fiscal affairs & government operations committee, 2005–11).[4]
Legislative notes
[edit]- voted for the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007 (HB359)[5]
- voted for the Healthy Air Act in 2006 (SB154)[6]
- voted for slots in 2005 (HB1361)[7]
- voted for income tax reduction in 1998 (SB750)[8]
- voted in favor of increasing the sales tax by 20% - Tax Reform Act of 2007(HB2)[1]
- voted in favor of prohibiting ground rents in 2007(SB106)[2]
- voted in favor of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants in 2007 (HB6)[3]
Democratic primary election results, 2010
[edit]- 2010 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – 44th District[9]
- Voters to choose three: (only the top 6 finishers are shown)
Name Votes Percent Outcome Keith E. Haynes 4859 25.9% Won Keiffer J. Mitchell, Jr. 4481 13.9% Won Melvin L. Stukes 3321 17.7% Won Ruth Kirk 2860 15.2% Lost Chris Blake 973 5.1% Lost Gary T. English 907 4.8% Lost
General election results, 2006
[edit]- 2006 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – 44th District[10]
- Voters to choose three:
Name Votes Percent Outcome Melvin L. Stukes Dem. 13,173 34.0% Won Ruth M. Kirk, Dem. 12,894 33.3% Won Keith E. Haynes, Dem. 12,565 32.4% Won Other Write-Ins 129 0.3%
Death and legacy
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She died in 2011. Her son, Art Kirk, created a recreation center in her honor called the Ruth M. Kirk Recreation and Learning Center and Community Garden.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ Anderson, Jessica. "Ruth M. Kirk, former state delegate, dies at 81". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on 2012-09-27. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
- ^ "Ruth M. Kirk, Maryland State Delegate". Archived from the original on 2008-09-19. Retrieved 2007-06-28.
- ^ Anderson, Jessica (2011-06-18). "Ruth M. Kirk, long-time delegate, dies". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on 2012-09-27. Retrieved 2011-06-21.
- ^ "Former Delegates". Maryland Archives. Archived from the original on 2011-05-22. Retrieved 2011-06-21.
- ^ "BILL INFO-2007 Regular Session-HB 359". Archived from the original on 2016-04-08. Retrieved 2007-07-06.
- ^ "Vote Record 0942". Archived from the original on 2016-04-08. Retrieved 2007-07-04.
- ^ "Vote Record 0152". Archived from the original on 2017-12-23. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
- ^ "Vote Record 1229". Archived from the original on 2008-01-24. Retrieved 2007-07-14.
- ^ "House of Delegates Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2010-10-07. Retrieved 2011-03-26.
- ^ "House of Delegates Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2016-04-08. Retrieved 2007-03-03.
- ^ Staff, AFRO (2021-01-18). "A day of service honoring Delegate Ruth M. Kirk and Art Kirk". AFRO American Newspapers. Archived from the original on 2022-05-25. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
- Democratic Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates
- African-American state legislators in Maryland
- Politicians from Baltimore
- 1930 births
- 2011 deaths
- Women state legislators in Maryland
- 21st-century African-American women politicians
- 20th-century African-American women politicians
- 21st-century American legislators
- 21st-century American women politicians
- 21st-century African-American politicians
- 20th-century African-American politicians
- 20th-century American legislators
- 20th-century Maryland politicians
- 21st-century Maryland politicians