Barbara Mikulski
Barbara Ann Mikulski | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Junior Senator, Maryland | |
| In office 1987–Present | |
| Preceded by | Charles Mathias, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Incumbent (2011) |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | american |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | None |
Barbara Ann Mikulski (born July 20, 1936), a member of the Democratic Party, is the current Class 3 United States Senator representing the State of Maryland. She has served as senator since 1987, and is currently the most senior female U.S. Senator.
Early life and activism
Born as the great-granddaughter of Polish immigrants who owned a local bakery, Barbara is the oldest of three daughters of Christine and William Mikulski. She was born and raised in historic and ethnically diverse East Baltimore, Maryland. During her high school years at the Institute of Notre Dame, she worked in her parents' grocery store, delivering groceries to seniors in her neighborhood who were unable to leave their homes.
After graduating from Mount Saint Agnes College (now a part of the Loyola College in Maryland), she obtained her masters degree in social work (MSW) from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Mikulski went to work on the front lines in President John F. Kennedy’s war against poverty. She worked as a social worker for Catholic charities and Baltimore's Department of Social Services, helping at-risk children and educating seniors about the Medicare program. Mikulkski became an activist social worker when she heard about plans to build a 16-lane highway through Baltimore's Fells Point neighborhood. She helped organize communities on both sides of the city and stopped the construction of the road, saving Fells Point and Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
Mikulski gained a positive reputation following her activism. [citation needed] This led to a seat on the Baltimore City Council in 1971.
Congressional career
In 1974 she ran for the U.S. Senate for the first time, but was defeated by the Republican incumbent, Charles Mathias, Jr. In 1976, she ran for the House of Representatives representing the third district of Maryland, winning 76% of the vote.
In 1986 Mikulski announced her retirement from politics. At the time of this announcement, it was expected that then-Governor Harry Hughes would run for the seat being vacated by retiring Senator Charles Mathias. However Hughes became caught up in the aftermath of the Maryland Savings and Loan crisis. He lost popularity with voters, opening the door for Mikulski's bid for the Senate. During the campaign, her opponent, Linda Chavez, made comments that Mikulski's supporters interpreted as an attempt to draw attention to the issue of Mikulski's sexual orientation. Mikulski never directly responded to the issue, and eventually won the race with 61% of the vote [1]. Mikulski is one of 11 senators to vote against both the 1991 and 2002 resolutions authorizing the use of force in Iraq [2] [3].
Since first getting elected to the Senate, she was re-elected with large majorities in 1992, 1998 and 2004. She is the dean of the women senators.
Committee assignments
As of June 2006, Mikulski serves on the following Senate committees:
- Member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
- Member of the Appropriations Committee.
- Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee.
- Member of the Defense Subcommittee.
- Member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee.
- Member of the Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.
- Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee.
- Member of the Select Committee On Intelligence.
Senate action
Senator Mikulski has taken a strong stance against predatory lending, even going so far as to take personal action against Fairbanks Capital, which is claimed to have illegally foreclosed on over 100 homes in Maryland. [citation needed] Senator Mikulski is also a strong supporter of NASA and expanding exploration of space.
Election history
References
- United States Congress. "Barbara Mikulski (id: M000702)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Official biography of Senator Mikulski
- Congressional Quarterly Elections History Library
External links
- Official Website for Senator Barbara Mikulski.
- Barbara Mikulski on the issues
- Voting record maintained by the Washington Post
 | ||
| ||