| Revision as of 07:44, 13 August 2006 edit71.228.10.185 (talk) Removed Propol's continued vandalism← Previous edit | Revision as of 15:40, 13 August 2006 edit undoPropol (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users1,703 edits Revert unexplained deletions by User:71.228.10.185. I have reported this editor's behavior for review. Removing the section on Kirk's discrimination comments is improper.Next edit → | ||
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| Kirk then practiced law with Baker & MacKenzie (1993-94) before being named as a Counsel to the House International Relations Committee. Kirk was also commissioned in 1989 as a reserve naval intelligence officer. 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 ] Intelligence Officer of the Year in ] for his combat service in ]. | Kirk then practiced law with Baker & MacKenzie (1993-94) before being named as a Counsel to the House International Relations Committee. Kirk was also commissioned in 1989 as a reserve naval intelligence officer. 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 ] Intelligence Officer of the Year in ] for his combat service in ]. | ||
| Kirk defeated 11 candidates for Congress in the 2000 Republican primary. He then won in general elections by 51% (2000), 69% (2002) and 65% (2004). Kirk was appointed to the powerful Appropriations Committee in 2002 and was elected the co-Chairman of the Republican Moderate Tuesday Group Caucus in 2004. In that capacity, he sheparded H.R. 810, the Stem Cell bill, through the House in 2005. Kirk was endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce, Planned Parenthood and received an A+ from the National Education Association. | Kirk defeated 11 candidates for Congress in the 2000 Republican primary. He then won in general elections by 51% (2000), 69% (2002) and 65% (2004). Kirk was appointed to the powerful Appropriations Committee in 2002 and was elected the co-Chairman of the Republican Moderate Tuesday Group Caucus in 2004. In that capacity, he sheparded H.R. 810, the Stem Cell bill, through the House in 2005. Kirk was endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce, Planned Parenthood and received an A+ from the National Education Association. Kirk received a 39% approval rating from the League of Conservation Voters, an independent agency that assesses the environmental records of Congressmen. Kirk received a 0% rating from the Drum Major Institute of Public Policy on his votes affecting the middle class. | ||
| Kirk and his wife, Kimberly, live in ] and Alexandria, VA. | Kirk and his wife, Kimberly, live in ] and Alexandria, VA. | ||
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| Kirk is a member of the ], The Republican Majority for Choice, and Republicans for Environmental Protection. | Kirk is a member of the ], The Republican Majority for Choice, and Republicans for Environmental Protection. | ||
| On ], ], while speaking at ], 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 OK with discrimination against young ] males from ]-producing states." Despite calls from American ] groups and other politicians for an apology and retraction, Kirk stood by his statement. He acknowledged the statement was "politically uncomfortable". Kirk 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." | |||
| ⚫ | He is a cosponsor of legislation to provide the ] voting representation . | ||
| ⚫ | He is a cosponsor of legislation to provide the ] voting representation . However, the proposed legislation, H.R. 2043, was written to give ], one of the most Republican-leaning states, an additional representative as well. | ||
| Kirk faces Democrat ] in the 2006 general election. | Kirk faces Democrat ] in the 2006 general election. | ||
Revision as of 15:40, 13 August 2006
Mark Steven Kirk (born September 15, 1959) has been a Member of Congress since 2001, representing the 10th District of Illinois (map).
He was born in Champaign, Illinois, graduated from Joseph Sears School in Kenilworth in 1973, and New Trier East High School in 1977. He attended Blackburn College and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México before graduating cum laude in history from Cornell University. Kirk received a Masters Degree from the London School of Economics, and a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University.
Kirk served on the staff of his precedessor, Congressman John Porter, and eventually became his Chief of Staff. Kirk then served in the World Bank (1990) before President Bush Sr. named him as the Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. At the State Department, Kirk worked on ending civil wars in Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala. President Clinton reappointed Kirk to work in his Administration on the restoration of democracy in Haiti.
Kirk then practiced law with Baker & MacKenzie (1993-94) before being named as a Counsel to the House International Relations Committee. Kirk was also commissioned in 1989 as a reserve naval intelligence officer. 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 United States Navy Reserve Intelligence Officer of the Year in 1999 for his combat service in Kosovo.
Kirk defeated 11 candidates for Congress in the 2000 Republican primary. He then won in general elections by 51% (2000), 69% (2002) and 65% (2004). Kirk was appointed to the powerful Appropriations Committee in 2002 and was elected the co-Chairman of the Republican Moderate Tuesday Group Caucus in 2004. In that capacity, he sheparded H.R. 810, the Stem Cell bill, through the House in 2005. Kirk was endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce, Planned Parenthood and received an A+ from the National Education Association. Kirk received a 39% approval rating from the League of Conservation Voters, an independent agency that assesses the environmental records of Congressmen. Kirk received a 0% rating from the Drum Major Institute of Public Policy on his votes affecting the middle class.
Kirk and his wife, Kimberly, live in Highland Park, IL and Alexandria, VA.
Kirk is a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership, The Republican Majority for Choice, 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 OK with discrimination against young Arab males from terrorist-producing states." Despite calls from American Muslim groups and other politicians for an apology and retraction, Kirk stood by his statement. He acknowledged the statement was "politically uncomfortable". Kirk 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."
He is a cosponsor of legislation to provide the District Of Columbia voting representation . However, the proposed legislation, H.R. 2043, was written to give Utah, one of the most Republican-leaning states, an additional representative as well. Kirk faces Democrat Daniel Seals in the 2006 general election.
Contributors
According to Federal Election Commission records, Mark Kirk has received numerous contributions from PAC’s and individuals. The contributors include several with ties to the district, such as Abbott Laboratories and Baxter International. Many medical associations, defense contractors, and other groups have also contributed. Abbott and Baxter are the largest and third largest employers in the 10th District of Illinois, respectively.
FEC records show Kirk received financial support from Americans for a Republican Majority, a PAC formed by Tom DeLay. As reports of misconduct surfaced against DeLay in 2004, Kirk returned all monies received from ARMPAC immediately. Funds received directly from Tom Delay’s congressional committee were not returned. All DeLay contributions to Kirk, however, were made in 2000 during the open seat contested election.
Mark Kirk received a donation from Congressman Bob Ney, who is under an investigation for bribery and his involvement with convicted felon Jack Abramoff. Kirk refunded the Ney contribution in the 2nd quarter of 2006. Kirk accepted a donation from Republican Darrell Issa. Kirk also received a maximum contribution from Sen. John McCain's political action committee, Straight Talk America.
Kirk has received large donations from Exelon Corporation, the parent company of Commonwealth Edison, the electric utility serving Kirk’s district. Exelon is being sued by Will County residents and the State's Attorney due to leaks of radioactive tritium at the Braidwood Nuclear Generating Station. Over the course of several years, Exelon has contributed to all members of the Illinois congressional delegation.
Per FEC filings, Kirk has received multiple donations from Altria, a major tobacco company formerly known as Phillip Morris. Altria also owns 87.6% of Kraft Foods, which is one of the largest employers in the 10th District of Illinois. Kirk received contributions from Halliburton, where Dick Cheney was previously the CEO. Kirk accepted donations from Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart is the largest employer in the United States; however, it provides health insurance to only 44% of its workforce. Kirk accepted multiple donations from Accenture, despite the GAO noting Accenture is incorporated in a tax haven country (Bermuda), thereby avoiding federal income tax. Accenture is one of the larger employers in the 10th District of Illinois.
FEC disclosures indicate the law firm Winston and Strawn contributed to Mark Kirk. Winston and Strawn's CEO is former Republican governor James R. Thompson. Winston and Strawn represented former governor and Republican George Ryan for no cost in his corruption trial where he was convicted on all 18 charges. Winston and Strawn is helping defend nine indigenous community leaders in Guatemala from politically motivated criminal charges arising from a peaceful protest at the Chixoy dam. Their pro bono charitable work is long-standing.
Kirk received funds from American Prosperity PAC, which was controlled by Republican Duke Cunningham, who pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion. Kirk refunded the Cunningham contribution and contributions from all parties affiliated with the case when news of wrongdoing first became public.
External links
- official website
- Federal Election Commission - Committees Who Gave to Kirk
- 2006 Illinois CD 10 Candidate List from VIS
- Voting record maintained by the Washington Post
| Preceded byJohn Edward Porter | U.S. Representative of Illinois's 10th Congressional District 2001- |
Succeeded byIncumbent |
| Illinois's current delegation to the United States Congress | |
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| Senators |
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| Representatives (ordered by district) |
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