The Philosopher
Pete Stark
The face
The background
- Nationality:
- American
- Schools:
- Democratic
- Branchs:
- Engineering, Business Administration, Fiscal Policy, Healthcare Policy, Foreign Policy (opposition to Iraq War)
- Period:
- 20th-21st century
The synopsis
Fortney Hillman "Pete" Stark Jr. (November 11, 1931 – January 24, 2020) was an American businessman and politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1973 to 2013. A Democrat from California, Stark represented districts in Alameda County. At the time of his retirement, he was one of the longest-serving members of Congress from California. He was also notably the only openly atheist member of Congress. Stark's career began in banking, founding Security National Bank in 1963. His political career was marked by a strong focus on healthcare issues, including playing a role in the development of legislation that became part of the Affordable Care Act. He was an early opponent of the Iraq War and held various committee assignments, including Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. Stark passed away in 2020 at the age of 88 due to leukemia.
The works
The quotes
We are a long way from getting back the jobs lost since President Bush took office.
I think unleashing 3,000 smart bombs against the city of Baghdad in the first several days of the war... to me, if those were unleashed against the San Francisco Bay Area, I would call that an act of extreme terrorism.
You little fruitcake, you little fruitcake, I said you are a fruitcake.
Every American, regardless of their background, has the right to live free of unwarranted government intrusion. Repealing the worst provisions of the Patriot Act will reign in this gross abuse of power and restore to everyone our basic Constitutional rights.
It is time we had a defense budget that lives within its means, accounts for what is truly required in Iraq and provides the best possible support for all our troops.