Kirk looks back, forward in first Senate speech
New suburban Sen. Mark Kirk took the Senate floor for the first time very much like he left the House floor for the last: looking back on his predecessors' accomplishments, and forward to his own goals in beginning a new political chapter.
Kirk, who spent time working in the House of Commons in London as a graduate student 30 years ago, told his colleagues that there, a new member's speech is given great weight.
“Traditionally, this speech is used to highlight what a member's priorities are and sets the tone for his tenure. My experience in London guided my thoughts 10 years ago when I was elected to the House of Representatives.”
That “maiden speech” focused on the North suburban 10th Congressional District's tradition of electing “thoughtful, independent leaders.”
Kirk, a popular congressman from Highland Park known for his moderate stances, promised that tradition would continue in the upper chamber.
Among the highlighted predecessors, Kirk praised suburban Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, formerly of Inverness, for his work to hire a powerful U.S. attorney to fight corruption in the state.
Kirk praised former Sen. Paul Simon for his “staunch pay-as-you-go budgeting,” something he said “deserves renewed attention now in light of our crippling federal debate.”
Despite the oft-intense media spotlight upon him, Kirk described then-Sen. Barack Obama as the keeper of a low profile, one who worked with the rest of the congressional delegation to “quietly advance projects.”
Kirk called it the “greatest honor of his life” to win election to both Obama's unexpired term and a full six-year term.
He pledged to work with Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin to complete the O'Hare International Airport Modernization Project, ban sewage dumping in the Great Lakes and expand high-speed rail across Illinois.
“From Rockford to Cairo, we will work to expand employment and opportunity wherever possible always seeking practical, bipartisan solutions to the everyday challenges families across Illinois face,” he said.
Kirk said he is committed to “fiscal responsibility, spending restraint, lower taxes, tolerance, a strong national defense and, above all, thoughtful, independent leadership.”
That independent leadership is expected to be tested this week, with upcoming votes on the DREAM Act, the repeal of the military's “don't ask, don't tell” policy and a tax compromise.