Mark Kirk



Mark Steven Kirk, a Republican, has been a Senator from Illinois since November 2010. He previously was a U.S. Representative for the 10th District of Illinois 2001-2010. (map)

Iraq War
Kirk voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Terrorist profiling
On November 5, 2005, while speaking at Northwestern University, Kirk stated that he is "O-K 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".

Bio
Kirk was born on September 15, 1959 in Champaign, Illinois. He attended the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cornell University, received a Masters Degree from the London School of Economics, and a Juris Doctor degree from the Jesuit-run Georgetown University.

He serves as an officer in the United States Naval Reserves. He received "the Vice Admiral Rufus L. Taylor Award, was given to his unit while it was in Italy. Navy officers make the nominations for the award, which is given by a professional organization known as the National Military Intelligence Association," not "intelligence officer of the year" as has been reported elsewhere. 

Kirk was a lawyer, a staff member for Representative John Edward Porter, a special assistant at the Department of State, and a staff member for the House International Relations Committee before entering the House.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated Dan Seals to face Kirk in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Kirk won 53% to 47%. Kirk and Seals debated only once. A second debate was scheduled but Seals dropped out at the last minute. 

2008 elections
In 2008, Kirk won reelection to his House seat by beating Democratic opponent Dan Seals.

2010 elections
In 2010, Kirk won Barack Obama's old Senate seat by beating Democrat Alexi Giannoulias.

Money in politics
cid=N00012539&cycle=2006

Committees

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Export Financing and Related Programs
 * Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies
 * Subcommittee on Science State Justice and Commerce and Related Agencies

Coalitions and caucuses

 * Republican Main Street Partnership
 * The Republican Majority for Choice
 * Republicans for Environmental Protection

Affiliations

 * Public Advisory Committee, Population Institute
 * U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea - Board of directors
 * Director, National Endowment for Democracy
 * Director, Population Resource Center

More background data

 * 2006 Illinois CD 10 Candidate List from VIS

Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * News videos about Mark Kirk
 * Mark Kirk dodges an Iraq War Veteran asking him to take a stand on the Iraq War (Jul. 2007)
 * Mark Kirk commercial on a VA hospital (Oct. 2006)
 * Mark Kirk speaks on killing funding for the "Bridge to Nowhere"
 * Mark Kirk speaks on his work to fund the expansion of the commuter rail
 * At Center Network videos pertaining to Kirk
 * "Kirk Walks Away" (7-10-2007)
 * "Mark Kirk Singalong" (7-20-2006)
 * "Scaring The Jews" (6-5-2006)
 * "Censorship" (5-22-2006)
 * "Suburban Agenda" (5-28-2006)
 * "Politics vs. Child Safety" (5-15-2006)
 * "Republican At Work" (1-26-2006)
 * "Moral Budget Vigil" (12-19-2005)
 * "1000th Day of Iraq War" (12-14-2005)
 * "Racial Profiling" (11-22-2005)
 * "Budget Demonstration" (11-16-2005)
 * "Cindy In Deerfield" (9-12-2005)
 * "Petition Delivery" (6-1-2005)
 * Open Secrets congressional race database

Articles

 * Chicago Pride Federal Hate Crimes Bill Re-Introduced in Congress March 22, 2007
 * Dr. Richard Benkin House Resolution 64 Passes Overwhelmingly: Demand to Drop Charges against Bangladeshi Journalist Now Official US Policy Asian Tribune 3-15-07
 * Jim Newton "Funding sought for Waukegan Harbor cleanup" Waukegan News Sun
 * Andrew Wang "Governor leaves out harbor" Chicago Tribune - March 14, 2007
 * Dave Savini "TSA reacts to airport security gaps investigation" CBS 2 Chicago - March 5, 2007.
 * Kendra Marshall "'Best healthcare' for military, vets" Waukegan News Sun - March 3, 2007
 * Lynn Sweet, "Kirk rips aide for threat to foe's backer," Chicago Sun-Times, October 26, 2006.
 * Lynn Sweet, "Mikva wants probe of e-mail from Kirk staffer," Chicago Sun-Times, October 31, 2006.

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Team America's Tenth District Blog
 * Ellen's Illinois Tenth Congressional District Blog
 * Philosophe Forum
 * "GOPulse"
 * "Backyard Conservative"
 * "Capitol Fax Blog"
 * "Tenth Dems"