Pete Stark

Democrat Pete Stark represents California's 13th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is the first openly non-theist member of Congress. Before his career in politics, Stark was the founder of the Security National Bank in Walnut Creek, CA.

1. Born: November 11, 1931 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
2. Assumed office: January 3, 1973
3. Spouse: Deborah Stark
4. Alma Mater: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
5. Previous Profession: Banker
6. Longest-serving member of either house of Congress from California
7. Founding member Congressional Progressive Caucus
8. Stark on Bush's SCHIP Veto: "[Republicans will] blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the President's amusement."

An Air Force veteran, Pete Stark has been a strong opponent of the war in Iraq. He has supported a bill that would restore the draft, with the understanding that that stand was a gesture of protest of the war. Stark has also stated in reference to the war that, "if we're going to have these escapades, we should not do it on the backs of poor people and minorities."