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REPRESENTING ILLINOIS One public official is now making waves not only as TIME magazines 100 most influential people in the world, but also a candidate in the 2008 presidential race. Lauded by millions of Africans during his 2006 tour of their continent, he is also the writer of two best-selling books, not to mention the many other civic works that occupy his time. (US Senator Barack Obama of Illinois). Born on August 4, 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii, he rose to prominence because of his inspiring keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. From then on, all eyes were on him. Adding to his prominence, in 2004, Senator Obama got a $ 1. 9 million deal to write three books. Perhaps what makes this person a character to watch is his charisma and innate intelligence especially when he discusses the promotion of public education, health care, ethics, economic growth / jobs and the Iraq war.
Being an Illinois state senator gave him the free hand to introduce ethics reforms and criminal justice to the state. One reckons with his education and sees a man who pursued his studies to the hilt: consider his BA in international relations in 1983, Columbia University and JD from Harvard Law School, where he was Editor of the Harvard Law Review. It can be remembered that in 2002, Obama openly opposed President Bush's administration to go to war in Iraq. He is a member of the following Senate Committees in the 110 th Congress: - Committee on Foreign Relations - Subcommittee on African Affairs - Subcommittee on International Economic Policy - Subcommittee on Asians and Pacific Affairs - Committee on Veterans' Affairs - Committee on Healthy, Education, Labor & Pensions - Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs (Source: US Senator Barack Obama of Illinois). Many say that Barack is a refreshing mind because he is a "practical, common sense progressive" thinker who has the plight of teachers in his mind as well as making college education affordable and the federal support of veterans.
This, despite the divorce of his parents when he was 2 years old. Yet, he got the genes for it because his father is son of a Kenya-born Harvard-educated economist and a Caucasian anthropologist. He served for 7 years as an Illinois State Senator. He had to assume US Senate responsibilities after that yet maintained being at the helm as a community organizer and a civil rights attorney and a Senior Lecturer in Constitutional Law at University of Chicago Law School. He is married to a Harvard Law graduate too, Michelle, in October 18, 1992, with whom they have two daughters: Malia and Sasha, the reason for which they vow that ."..
as parents, we need to find the time and the energy to step in and find ways to help our kids love reading. We can read to them, talk to them about what they " re reading and make time for this by turning off the TV ourselves. Libraries can help parents with this. Knowing the constraints we face from busy schedules and a TV culture, we need to think outside the box here - to dream big like we always have in America. Brave words but the man walks his talk and demands only the best both in his personal and official work. Because he indeed is an insatiable reader loving and living books.
In fact, he states succinctly, yet refreshingly, that Right now, children come home from their first doctor's appointment with an extra bottle of formula. But imagine if they came home with their first library card or their first copy of Goodnight Moon? What if it was as easy to get a book as it is to rent a DVD or pick up McDonalds? What if instead of a toy in every Happy Meal, there was a book?
What if there were portable libraries that rolled through parks and playgrounds like ice cream trucks? Or kiosks in stores where you could borrow books? It is in words like these that one gleans a mans character. He advocates people thinking more about others than about oneself.
It helps that he is a spiritual person going to the United Church of Christ and admonishing that when men and women are urged not to inject their personal morality into public policy debates, the act is a practical absurdity, because he believes that the law is by definition a codification of morality, pointing to the Judeo-Christian tradition as its roots. (Barack Obama on Principles & Values). During debates, his candidness caught the attention of his colleagues. Fluently, he answered queries on the federal highway funding, non-union companies, the Free Trade Area of the Americas agreement and many other issues stating that Its not enough just to vote right, he said. You gotta advocate. You gotta refrain the debate, use informal power. A lot of these bills coming up now are lose-lose for Democrats. (Finnegan, 2004).
Things are a bit easier for him now in terms of his color because racial polarization has declined and religious polarization has increased (Beinart). Years back, when the culture war was visible, the Blacks were seen as being fragmented. But today, the white liberals are the ones considered to be divisive because they are seen as secular. Today, it is the Black liberals who are considered authentically devout and bridge builders (Beinart). He was sworn into office last January 4, 2005 where he serves on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
He is also a member of the Foreign Relations Committee which is vital in the shape of American policy abroad including the policy in Iraq. Senator Obama also serves on the Environment and Public Works Committee (United States Senator for Illinois). He is lucky to have had the experience of working both for Democrats and Republicans during his eight years at the Illinois State. There he was able to help families create programs such as the State Earned Income Tax Credit. This made is possible for providing $ 100 million in tax cuts to families across the state.
His work ranges from early childhood education to inmates on the death row (United States Senator for Illinois). Other accomplishments include his campaign for death-penalty reforms that resulted in unprecedented legislation. This required the police to videotape all questioning sessions in cases involving capital crimes. Some think this would not click with other states and that such moves do himself no favor politically.
Similarly, he also made legislations to curb racial profiling, which others retort as not helpful when one is seeking and running for office. Nevertheless, he continues his mission and purpose in this life. (Finnegan, 2004). According to Emil Jones, Jr. the president of the state senate and a senior figure in Illinois black politics, Obama is an extremely unusual politician who is able to work with all kinds of people, even the white conservatives.
This seems to be his advantage right now as he sets his sights on the Presidency. Meanwhile Obama continues to do what he wants to do to makes changes with the present state of events and speaks his mind in the process with the hope that this will spark some changes in the hearts of men who are there right now in power. (Finnegan, 2004). REFERENCES Barack Obama on Principles & Values. (April 2004). Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved July 20, 2007 at: web Beinart, P.
Why White People Like Barack Obama. The New Republic: Race May Be an Issue, But Its Good News for Obama. Retrieved July 20, 2007 at: web Congresspedia. Barack Obama. Retrieved July 20, 2007 at: web Finnegan, William. The Candidate.
How the son of a Kenyan economist became an Illinois Everyman. (May 31, 2004). Retrieved July 20, 2007 at: web Noonan, Peggy. (December 2006). The Man from Nowhere. Retrieved July 20, 2007 at: web United States Senator for Illinois.
About Barack Obama. Retrieved July 20, 2007 at: web
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