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Mark Kirk

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For the American art director, see Mark-Lee Kirk.
Mark Shit Dick Kirk
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 10th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2001
Preceded byJohn Porter
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
SpouseRecently Divorced from Kimberly Vertolli Kirk [1]
ResidenceHighland Park, Illinois[2]
Alma materCornell University, London School of Economics, Georgetown University Law Center
Occupationattorney, politician
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy
Years of service1989-present
UnitReserves

Mark Steven Kirk (born September 15, 1959) has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 2001. Kirk is running for a position in the Senate in 2010.

Early life and education

Kirk was born in Champaign, Illinois, graduated from Joseph Sears School in Kenilworth in 1973, and New Trier East High School in 1977. He attended the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México before graduating cum laude in history from Cornell University. Kirk received a master's degree from the London School of Economics, and a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University.

Kirk was commissioned in 1989 as an intelligence officer in the Naval Reserve. He is one of only two members of Congress serving as a drilling reservist one weekend a month and two weeks a year. In the Navy, Kirk served during conflicts with Haiti, Bosnia and Kosovo. He served aboard USS Normandy and USS John C Stennis. Kirk also served three tours in Panama and was an aircrewman over Iraq as part of Operation Northern Watch. He was named U.S. Navy Reserve "Intelligence Officer of the Year" in 1999 for his combat service in Kosovo.[3]

Career prior to election to Congress

Kirk worked on the staff of his predecessor, Congressman John Porter, and eventually became his chief of staff. Kirk then worked at the World Bank (1990) before President George H. W. Bush named him as the Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. [citation needed] At the State Department, Kirk worked on ending civil wars in Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala. President Bill Clinton reappointed Kirk to work in his Administration on the restoration of democracy in Haiti.[citation needed]

Kirk then practiced law with Baker & McKenzie (1993–94) before being named as a Counsel to the House International Relations Committee.

U.S. House of Representatives

Election and re-elections

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois, 2008 § District 10
See also: Illinois's 10th congressional district election, 2006

Kirk defeated 11 candidates for Congress in the 2000 Republican primary. He then won in general elections with 51% (2000), 69% (2002), 64% (2004), 53% (2006) and 54% (2008). His opponents were Lauren Beth Gash, Hank Perrit, Lee Goodman and, most recently, Dan Seals (06 & 08).

In 2008, Kirk defeated Democratic challenger Dan Seals by a six-point margin.

Committee assignments

Political actions and positions

On his Congressional campaign website, Kirk stated that he works to advance a suburban agenda that is pro-defense, pro-personal responsibility, pro-environment, and pro-science. He also claims that he wrote a number of provisions which became law, including funding for commuter rail, improving veteran's health care, ensuring military voting, and boosting aviation security.[4]

Kirk shepherded H.R. 810, the Stem Cell bill, through the House in 2005.

Kirk is co-chair of the Moderate Republican "Tuesday Group", a coalition of 40 centrist Republican Member of Congress. [5] Kirk is a member of some moderate to liberal Republican groups such as the Republican Main Street Partnership, the Republican Majority for Choice, Republicans for Choice, the Republican Leadership Council, and Republicans for Environmental Protection.

On November 5, 2005, while speaking at Northwestern University, Kirk was asked how he felt about stricter visa policies applied to Arab foreign nationals seeking entry to the United States. Kirk answered: "I'm okay with discrimination against young Arab males from terrorist-producing states. I'm okay with that. I think that when we look at the threat that's out there, young men between, say, the ages of 18 and 25 from a couple of countries, I believe a certain amount of intense scrutiny should be placed on them."[6][7] He said that the statement was "politically uncomfortable", and later issued a statement to clarify his position on the issue: "We need to strengthen our visa entry process to guard against the threat, and we need intense scrutiny on applicants from terrorist producing countries," Kirk said. "Ignoring that reality would only do a disservice to our country's security."[8]

Kirk has spoken out about protecting children on the Internet and has introduced bills to require parental permission for certain networking sites such as Second Life.[9] In 2006, he cosponsored H.R. 4411, the Goodlatte-Leach Internet Gambling Prohibition Act that would ban online poker.[10] and H.R. 4777, the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act.[11]

Kirk has consistently supported increases in "Impact Aid" for government school districts that have children of military personnel as students. [12]

2007

In March 2007, Kirk worked to strip the so called, "Del Monte Loophole" from the minimum wage bill attached to the Iraq Supplemental funding appropriations bill. The bill, authored by the Democratic majority, had exempted American Samoa from being a part of the minimum wage increase. Kirk said that he believes that the American minimum wage should apply to all Americans. [13]

He was also involved in proposing a bill for sanctioning Iranians in June 2007. "The Iran Sanctions Enhancement Act of 2007" targets any company or individual that provides Iran with refined petroleum products or engages in an activity that could contribute to the enhancement of Iran's ability to import refined products after December 31 2007.[14]

Kirk voted for the stricter House immigration bill, which includes punishing employers who hire illegal immigrants and calls for a tough barrier at the United States–Mexico border.[15]. In July 2007, he proposed what he sees as a long term solution to the problem of Mexican immigration: shipping condoms to poor area of Mexico: "A slower rate of growth of Mexico's population would improve the economy of Mexico. It would also reduce the environmental pressure on Mexico's ecosystem. But a slower rate of growth would also reduce the long-term illegal immigration pressure on America's borders"[16]

2008

In 2008, Kirk sponsored H.R. 1008, which condemned the persecution of Baha'is in Iran, and specifically called for the release of imprisoned Baha'is Ms. Raha Sabet, Mr. Sasan Taqva, and Ms. Haleh Roohi.[17] The Resolution passed 408-3 in the House.

Kirk was endorsed for reelection by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times,[18] Lake County News Sun,[19] the Pioneer Press,[20] the Daily Herald and the Jewish Political Alliance of Illinois.

2009

On January 6, Kirk returned to Illinois after completing a tour of duty in Kandahar, Afghanistan; a press release on his official web site touted the occasion as "the first time a U.S. Representative-reservist has deployed to an imminent danger area since World War II".[21] Kirk appeared on the Fox News Channel for an interview upon returning to the U.S.[22]

Kirk recently held a press conference with Congressman Peter Roskam on critical legislation they introduced to strengthen food safety laws in the wake of tainted food supplies.

On February 13 Kirk offered a resolution on the subject of the trial of the Iranian Bahá'í leadership co-sponsored by seven others in H. RES. 175 - "Condemning the Government of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights" which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.[23] The situation has gathered international attention including defense of Nobel Laureate attorney Shirin Ebadi in June[24] after she received threats in April warning her against making speeches abroad, and defending Iran's minority Baha'i community[25] - see Arrest of Bahá'í leaders.

In June 2009 Kirk introduced legislation to increase the penalties for selling kush, a high potency set of strains of marijuana.[26] The High-Potency Marijuana Sentencing Enhancement Act of 2009 (H.R. 2848)[27] increases the penalties for the possession with intent to distribute, manufacture, importation and exportation to maximum fines of $1 million for an individual and $5 million for a group, with a maximum sentence of 25 years from the standard sentencing for marijuana which calls for a maximum fine of $250,000 for an individual, $1 million for a group and up to five years in prison.[28] Kirk said that as kush may sell for up to $600 (USD) per ounce these increases in penalties are justified, saying that "if you can make as much money selling pot as cocaine, you should face the same penalties."[28]

On July 8, 2009 reports spread that Kirk would be seeking Barack Obama's old Senate seat in 2010. The story broke just hours after Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced she would not run.

On July 13, 2009, Kirk's chief rival for the Republican Senate nomination, the state's party chairman Andrew "Andy" McKenna, Jr., issued this statement: "I reassured Mark that if he chooses to be a candidate, I will not oppose him." Kirk's nomination is now effectively uncontested.[29]

On July 20, 2009, Kirk announced his candidacy for Barack Obama's old Senate seat (currently held by Roland Burris). During his announcement while hundreds cheered him on with large banners at his childhood home where he first declared that he was running for Congress, Kirk was heckled by a few protesters who shouted "Health care now!" He responded with, "I can see from the crowd here that the Democratic Party appears to be very worried about me, which is why they're here."[30]

On August 24, 2009, Kirk held two back-to-back town hall meetings in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The first meeting, which generated the most public and media interest, was the most popular because Kirk emailed his supporters in advance and asked them to arrive early to reserve as many seats as possible in the small meeting room. Largely filled with his supporters, the meeting had a mostly friendly crowd. Kirk admitted that some health reform is needed, but he used “old statistics and fuzzy math” to claim that instead of the US having 45.7 million uninsured, as most Americans believe, (likely sourced from the 2007 US Census numbers [31]) the problem is less serious because he said there are only 7.8 million uninsured.[32][33] The Chicago Tribune and other news media questioned his statistics, that arrived at biased conclusions and used data from as long ago as 1999.[34]

Contributors

Kirk accepted $1000 from Tony Rezko,[35][36] who has been convicted on federal charges of attempted extortion, money laundering, and fraud. Kirk returned the Rezko contribution when Rezko was indicted. [citation needed]

Mark Kirk received a donation from Congressman Bob Ney, who pled guilty to bribery. [37] Kirk was called upon to return the tainted money. [38] Kirk refunded the Ney contribution in the 2nd quarter of 2006. [citation needed]

FEC records show Kirk received financial support from Americans for a Republican Majority, a PAC formed by Tom DeLay.[39]

Campaign for Senate

On July 20, 2009, Kirk announced that he would be running for the senate seat formerly held by President Barack Obama. This came shortly after Democrats Roland Burris and Lisa Madigan announced that they would not be running.[40]

Other Republican candidates that have officially announced their campaign in 2010 are John Arrington, Donald Lowery, Andy Martin, Dr. Eric Wallace, Robert Zadek, and Ed Varga (McHenry County, Illinois, Board of Health).

Electoral history

Illinois's 10th congressional district: Results 2000–2008[41]
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
2000 Lauren Beth Gash 115,924 49% Mark Kirk 121,582 51%
2002 Henry H. Perritt, Jr. 58,300 31% Mark Kirk 128,611 69%
2004 Lee Goodman 99,218 36% Mark Kirk 177,493 64%
2006 Daniel J. Seals 94,278 47% Mark Kirk 107,929 53% *
2008 Daniel J. Seals 138,176 47% Mark Kirk 153,082 53%
*Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 2006, write-ins received 1 votes.

Footnotes

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ "About Mark". U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
  3. ^ "Veterans in the US House of Representatives 109th Congress" (PDF). Navy League. Retrieved 2006-12-09.
  4. ^ http://www.kirkforcongress.com/?q=about
  5. ^ http://www.tgpac.com/docs/pages/about_us.aspx
  6. ^ Fuller, Janet Rausa (November 6), "Kirk 'OK' with visa bias against some Arab men" ([dead link‍] – Scholar search), Chicago Sun-Times {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); External link in |format= (help)
  7. ^ http://www.cairchicago.org/inthenews.php?file=cst11062005
  8. ^ "Obama rips Kirk nod to anti-Arab bias" ([dead link‍] – 10&as_yhi=November 10&btnG=Search Scholar search), Chicago Sun-Times, 2005 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |year= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); External link in |format= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  9. ^ Congressman Mark Steven Kirk - 10th District of Illinois
  10. ^ Thomas (Library of Congress): HR 4411
  11. ^ [ http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:h.r.04777: Thomas (Library of Congress): HR 4777]
  12. ^ Susnjara, Bob (2006-03-16). "North Chicago schools getting senators' help". Daily Herald. Retrieved 2006-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  13. ^ Faleomavaega, Eni (2007-03-23). "Iraq Supplemental Bill Passes House; Faleomavaega Presses for Minimum Wage for American Samoa and CNMI to Be Addressed in Conference". Press Release. Eni Fa'aua'a Hunkin Faleomavaega, Jr. Retrieved 2007-06-20.
  14. ^ US lawmakers target Iran gasoline imports in new sanctions bill
  15. ^ Kirk, Mark. "Issues". Mark Kirk. Mark Kirk. Retrieved 2007-05-28.
  16. ^ Congressman urges condoms for border control June 22, 2007 by Richard Cowan
  17. ^ [2]: Thomas (Library of Congress): HR 1008]
  18. ^ Chicago Sun Times Endorsement
  19. ^ Lake County News Sun Endorsement
  20. ^ Pioneer Press Endorsement
  21. ^ "Kirk Completes Reserve Tour of Duty in Afghanistan" (Press release). United States House of Representatives. 2009-01-05.
  22. ^ Hill Hero. Happening Now. Fox News: January 6, 2009
  23. ^ "Condemning the Government of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights. (Introduced in House)" (Press release). House of Representatives, Congressional Record. 2009-02-13. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  24. ^ "Local Baha'is worry about their fellow believers in Iran" (Press release). The Chatham News. 2009-02-24. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
  25. ^ BBC NEWS. Top Iranian dissident threatened
  26. ^ "Congressman Wants to Tackle "Super Pot"". WGIL News. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
  27. ^ "111th Congress 1st Session: H.R. 2848" (PDF). United States Government Printing Office. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  28. ^ a b "Kirk and Law Enforcement: Super-Marijuana "Kush" Hits Suburbs". June 15, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
  29. ^ Kraushaar, Josh. "Andy McKenna steps aside for Mark Kirk in Illinois." Politico.com. July 14, 2009
  30. ^ http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1676346,5_1_WA21_KIRK1_S1-090721.article
  31. ^ http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/hlthins/hlthin07/hlth07asc.html US Census 20087 figures for uninsured
  32. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/28/rep-kirk-excludes-health_n_271343.html Huffington Post, “Rep Kirk stocks town hall with supporters,” Aug 28 2009
  33. ^ http://kirk.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3665&Itemid=88 Sen Kirk website, August 3 2009 press release
  34. ^ http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/08/us-senate-candidate-kirk-accuses-democrats-of-moving-too-quickly-on-health-care-reform.html Chicago Tribune, August 3 2009
  35. ^ "Top recipients of campaign cash". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  36. ^ http://images.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?20036670964
  37. ^ "FEC Disclosure Report". Federal Election Commission. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
  38. ^ http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/09/democrats_jump_.html
  39. ^ "Amarillo Globe News: 10 lawmakers took money from DeLay". Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  40. ^ "Kirk Announces Senate Bid" (PDF). The State Journal-Register. Retrieved 2009-07-23.
  41. ^ "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Retrieved 2008-01-10.

References

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 10th congressional district
2001–present 		Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mark_Kirk&oldid=316595715"