Pete Stark
Pete Stark | |
|---|---|
| Born | Fortney Hillman Stark Jr. Template:Birth date Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | January 24, 2020 (aged 88) |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, legislator |
| Years active | 1973–2013 (U.S. House of Representatives) |
| Known for | U.S. Representative from California; first openly atheist member of Congress |
Fortney Hillman "Pete" Stark Jr. (November 11, 1931 – January 24, 2020) was an American entrepreneur and legislator who represented California in the United States House of Representatives from 1973 until 2013. As a member of the Democratic Party, Stark served the district encompassing southwestern Alameda County, including cities such as Alameda, Union City, Hayward, Newark, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, and Fremont—where he initially lived—as well as portions of Oakland and Pleasanton. Upon his retirement in 2013, he ranked as the fifth longest-tenured Representative and sixth in seniority overall in Congress, was recognized as the dean of California’s congressional delegation, and stood out as the sole openly atheist member serving at that time.
After the 2010 redistricting process, Stark’s district was redesignated as the 15th district for the 2012 electoral cycle. He narrowly secured first place in the primary against fellow Democrat Eric Swalwell but ultimately lost to him in the general election. Stark became the second longest-serving U.S. Congressman to be defeated in a general election since Jack Brooks (D-Texas), who left office in 1994.
Early life, education, and banking career
Born on November 11, 1931, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Stark was the son of Dorothy M. () and Fortney Hillman Stark. His ancestry included German and Swiss roots.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in general engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1953. Following this, he served in the United States Air Force between 1955 and 1957. Stark later earned an MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley in 1960.
In 1963, Stark established Security National Bank located in Walnut Creek, California, with a mission to cater to working-class customers. The bank is reported to have been the first in the United States to provide free checking accounts. Initially affiliated with the Republican Party, he changed his political allegiance during the mid-1960s due to his opposition to the Vietnam War. Demonstrating his pacifist beliefs, Stark incorporated peace symbols into his bank’s marketing materials and joined the National Governing Board of Common Cause in 1971. Upon his election to Congress in 1972, he divested his shares in the bank for a substantial sum.
Elections
At age 41 in 1972, Stark unseated George Paul Miller, a Democrat who had served fourteen terms representing California's 8th district, by winning 56% of the primary vote and subsequently securing 53% in the general election. Over his career, he was re-elected eighteen times, seldom encountering competitive races until his final campaign in 2012.
In 2008, Stark faced no opposition for the Democratic nomination and triumphed in the general election with 76.5% of votes cast. During the 2010 primary election, his challenger garnered only 16% support and lacked significant endorsements.
Following redistricting changes implemented for the 2012 elections, Stark sought reelection within the newly designated California's 15th congressional district. Under California’s updated nonpartisan blanket primary system, his opponent for the general election was fellow Democrat Eric Swalwell, a younger city council member from Dublin. Stark’s campaign controversially attempted to associate Swalwell with the Tea Party movement—a characterization disputed by both Swalwell himself and various media outlets. Ultimately, Swalwell defeated Stark by securing 52% of the vote.
Tenure
With a service span of 40 years concluding on January 3, 2013, Stark held the distinction of being the longest continuously serving California member of Congress, representing his constituency from January 3, 1973, until January 3, 2013. The Hayward Area Historical Society preserves the collection of documents from his congressional career.
Fiscal policy
Despite widespread bipartisan approval, Stark opposed the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 primarily due to concerns over its financial burden. He also cast dissenting votes twice against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which created the Troubled Asset Relief Program, and was vocal in his disapproval of the legislation that facilitated bank bailouts. Stark remarked that he was "among the few members on my side to reject the TARP bill both times... because I believed it rewarded those responsible for the financial collapse."
He advocated for a minimal financial transaction tax of 0.005% targeting high-volume traders with annual transactions exceeding $10,000. In 2010, Stark proposed the Investing in Our Future Act to enact this tax, aiming to channel funds into initiatives such as climate change adaptation, child care support services, and a Global Health Trust Fund dedicated to combating illnesses like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.
Health care
Stark maintained a persistent commitment to health care issues and was critical of the U.S. health insurance system during the George W. Bush years. In 2006, together with John Conyers, he initiated legal action against President Bush challenging the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 due to its Medicaid payment cuts; however, the lawsuit was dismissed on grounds of lack of standing.
In January 1985, Stark assumed leadership as Chairman of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, overseeing Medicare and national health insurance initiatives. He strategically employed Budget Reconciliation legislation to shape health policy, including adding provisions to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA), which mandated employer-sponsored continuation of health coverage under certain conditions. In 1986, he championed amendments such as the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act that required hospitals to provide emergency care regardless of patients’ insurance status. By 1988, Stark introduced what became known as the "Ethics in Patient Referrals Act," later termed "Stark I," barring physicians from referring Medicare beneficiaries to laboratories where they had financial stakes; this statute is codified under 42 U.S.C. § 1395nn.
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 incorporated "Stark II" provisions that expanded restrictions to Medicaid recipients and extended coverage beyond clinical laboratory services. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services enforced Stark Law through a series of phased regulations issued between 2001 and 2007.
Throughout his career, Stark worked across party lines with figures such as Republican Bill Gradison and Democrats Henry Waxman, George Miller, and Ted Kennedy to promote health care reforms. He introduced legislation aimed at broadening Medicare eligibility—including coverage for infants and early enrollment options—and was a proponent of adding prescription drug benefits within Medicare. His involvement in the Clinton administration’s 1993 health care reform efforts laid foundational concepts later echoed in the Affordable Care Act and proposals for wider Medicare expansion, advocating for universal basic health insurance supported by government subsidies to enhance affordability.
In 2010, Stark briefly served as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee following Charlie Rangel’s resignation but was soon succeeded by Sander Levin due to controversies stemming from Stark’s previous contentious remarks.
Iraq War
Stark was an early critic of the Iraq War, opposing the resolution that authorized military action on October 10, 2002. He cautioned that the conflict would impose financial hardships on schoolchildren, seniors, and working-class families, while also threatening Social Security, Medicare, and civil liberties.
In January 2003, as a form of protest against the war and to prevent its impact from falling disproportionately on low-income individuals and minorities, Stark endorsed bringing back the military draft. By October 2004, he was among only two congressional members to support the Universal National Service Act of 2003 (HR 163), which sought to reinstate conscription.
Throughout his tenure, Stark consistently opposed appropriations for the Iraq conflict; however, he occasionally cast 'present' votes instead of outright 'no' votes. He explained this stance by expressing opposition to prolonging the war but also rejecting measures he believed hastened withdrawal prematurely.
Atheism
Stark holds the distinction of being the first openly declared atheist member of Congress, a fact revealed by the Secular Coalition for America. He acknowledged his atheism in response to a questionnaire from the SCA in January 2007.
On September 20, 2007, Stark publicly reaffirmed his atheistic beliefs during an event at Harvard attended by atheist, agnostic, secular, humanist, and nonreligious organizations. The American Humanist Association honored him as their 2008 Humanist of the Year, and he served on their Advisory Board. On February 9, 2011, Stark introduced legislation to designate February 12 as Darwin Day, partnering with the AHA to encourage scientific progress.
In 2011, along with eight other legislators, he voted against retaining the national motto “In God We Trust.” This decision became a point of contention during his 2012 primary campaign against Eric Swalwell. Additionally, Stark was a member of the Advisory Board for the Secular Coalition for America.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Ways and Means
- Subcommittee on Health (Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support
- Caucuses
- Congressional Progressive Caucus
- Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (Associate Member)
- International Conservation Caucus
Controversial statements
In 1991, Stark attributed support for the Gulf War to "Jewish colleagues," singling out Congressman Stephen Solarz as "Field Marshal Solarz in the pro-Israel forces."
During a private conversation in 1995 with Congresswoman Nancy Johnson, he referred to her as a "whore for the insurance industry," insinuating that her understanding of health care stemmed from "pillow talk" with her doctor husband.
At a 2001 hearing of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, Stark accused Congressman J. C. Watts of having children born outside of marriage.
In 2003, after Congressman Scott McInnis told him to "shut up" during a committee session, Stark responded by exchanging insults.
During a 2008 interview discussing national debt and wealth disparities, Stark linked increasing debt to wealth concentration and issued a threat toward the interviewer when questioned about rising debt levels.
On August 27, 2009, Stark labeled moderate Democrats who opposed amendments to the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 as "brain dead," accusing them of advancing a conservative agenda aligned with insurance interests.
At a town hall meeting in September 2009, when confronted by a constituent opposed to President Barack Obama's health care reform plan, Stark retorted that he would not "waste the urine" to "pee on your leg."
2007 Controversy
During a House debate on October 18, 2007, Stark sparked controversy with his remarks directed at Congressman Joe Barton from Texas:
Following initial backlash, Stark declined to withdraw his statements, asserting, "Absolutely not. Although I may have shown disrespect to the Commander-in-Chief, I believe he has sufficiently discredited himself without my assistance." His office further released a statement underscoring their respect for military members while criticizing the Commander-in-Chief and certain Congress members who oppose funding for children's health care.
Five days later, after the House dismissed a censure motion introduced by Minority Leader John Boehner, Stark issued an apology:
Property Tax Matters
In 1988, Stark acquired a $1.7 million waterfront residence in Harwood, located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, where he spent much of his congressional career's latter years. Despite this, he kept a home in Fremont as his official address and traveled to his Bay Area district approximately twice per month. After retiring from Congress, he continued residing in Maryland.
For the years 2007 and 2008, Stark designated the Harwood property as his primary dwelling and utilized a homestead exemption that reduced his property tax by $3,853. Maryland law mandates that homeowners register to vote and hold a driver's license in Maryland to qualify; however, Stark remained registered to vote in California despite spending about two-thirds of the year residing in Maryland. The United States House Committee on Ethics conducted an investigation and unanimously found no misconduct on Stark’s part in January 2010.
Election Results
| Year | District | Democratic | Republican | Other | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 8th district | Pete Stark | 52% | Lew M. Warden | 47% | |||||||||
| 1974 | 9th district | Pete Stark (inc.) | 71% | Edson Adams | 29% | |||||||||
| 1976 | Pete Stark (inc.) | 71% | James K. Mills | 27% | Albert L. Sargis | Peace & Freedom | 2% | |||||||
| 1978 | Pete Stark (inc.) | 65% | Robert S. Allen | 31% | Lawrance J. Phillips | Peace & Freedom | 4% | |||||||
| 1980 | Pete Stark (inc.) | 55% | William J. Kennedy | 41% | Steven W. Clanin | Libertarian | 4% | |||||||
| 1982 | Pete Stark (inc.) | 60% | William J. Kennedy | 39% | ||||||||||
| 1984 | Pete Stark (inc.) | 70% | J.T. Beaver | 26% | Martha Fuhrig | Libertarian | 4% | |||||||
| 1986 | Pete Stark (inc.) | 70% | David M. Williams | 30% | ||||||||||
| 1988 | Pete Stark (inc.) | 73% | Howard Hertz | 27% | ||||||||||
| 1990 | Pete Stark (inc.) | 58% | Victor Romero | 41% | ||||||||||
| Year | District | Democratic | Republican | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "1992" | California's 13th congressional district#13th district" | Pete Stark (inc.) | 60% | Verne Teyler | 32% |
| "1994" | Pete Stark (inc.) | 65% | Larry Molton | 30% | |
| "1996" | Pete Stark (inc.) | 65% | James S. Fay | 30% | |
| "1998" | Pete Stark (inc.) | 71% | James R. Goetz | 27% | |
| "2000" | Pete Stark (inc.) | 71% | James R. Goetz | 24% | |
| "2002" | Pete Stark (inc.) | 71% | Syed R. Mahmood | 22% | |
| "2004" | Pete Stark (inc.) | 72%" | George I. Bruno | 28% | |
| "2006" | Pete Stark (inc.)" | 76%" | George L. Bruno | 25% | |
| "2008" | Pete Stark (inc.)" | 76%" | Raymond Chui | 23% | |
| "2010" | Pete Stark (inc.)" | 72%" | Forest Baker | 27% | |
Death
On January 24, 2020, Stark passed away at his residence in Harwood, Maryland at the age of 88, succumbing to leukemia. His congressional successor, Eric Swalwell, made a statement regarding his passing:
External links
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