View source for Pete Stark

{{Short description|American politician and businessman (1931–2020)}}
{{Distinguish|Peter Stark|Péter Stark}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Pete Stark
| image               = Pete Stark.jpg
| caption             = Official portrait, 2002
| state               = [[California]]
| term_start          = January 3, 1973
| term_end            = January 3, 2013
| predecessor         = [[George P. Miller]]
| successor           = [[Eric Swalwell]] (redistricting)
| constituency        = {{ushr|CA|8|8th district}} (1973–1975)<br />{{ushr|CA|9|9th district}} (1975–1993)<br />{{ushr|CA|13|13th district}} (1993–2013)
| birth_name          = Fortney Hillman Stark Jr.
| birth_date          = {{birth date|1931|11|11}}
| birth_place         = [[Milwaukee]], [[Wisconsin]], U.S.
| death_date          = {{death date and age|2020|1|24|1931|11|11}}
| death_place         = [[Harwood, Maryland]], U.S.
| party               = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| spouse              = {{unbulleted list|{{marriage|Elinor Brumder|1955|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Carolyn Wente|1989|1991|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Deborah Roderick|1991}}<ref name="nytobit" />}}
| alma_mater          = [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])<br>[[University of California, Berkeley]] ([[Master of Business Administration|MBA]])
| occupation          = {{hlist|Politician|banker}}
| allegiance          = {{flagu|United States|size=23px}}
| branch              = {{Air force|United States|size=23px}}
| serviceyears        = 1955–1957
| rank                = 
| children            = 7
| module              = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Rep. Pete Stark on Rep. Julian Dixon's Support of the District of Columbia.ogg|title=Pete Stark's voice|type=speech|description=Pete Stark speaks on how his deceased House colleague, [[Julian Dixon]], supported [[District of Columbia home rule]]<br/>Recorded December 8, 2000}}
}}

'''Fortney Hillman "Pete" Stark Jr.''' (November 11, 1931 – January 24, 2020) was an American businessman and politician who was a member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] from 1973 to 2013. A [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] from [[California]],<ref name="Lochhead">{{cite news | last=Lochhead |first=Carolyn | title=Pete Stark's burned bridges have cost him | url=https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Pete-Stark-s-burned-bridges-have-cost-him-3794872.php | work=[[The San Francisco Chronicle]] | date=August 17, 2012}}</ref> Stark's district—{{ushr|CA|13}} during his last two decades in Congress—was in southwestern [[Alameda County]] and included [[Alameda, California|Alameda]], [[Union City, California|Union City]], [[Hayward, California|Hayward]], [[Newark, California|Newark]], [[San Leandro]], [[San Lorenzo, California|San Lorenzo]], and [[Fremont, California|Fremont]] (his residence during the early part of his tenure), as well as parts of [[Oakland]] and [[Pleasanton, California|Pleasanton]].<ref name=opinion>{{cite news |title=Rep. Pete Stark, D-Md. |url=https://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/Rep-Pete-Stark-D-Md-3247369.php   |work=[[The San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=March 24, 2009}}</ref> At the time he left office in 2013, he was the fifth [[List of United States Representatives in the 112th Congress by seniority|most senior Representative]], as well as sixth most senior member of Congress overall. He was also the dean of California's 53-member Congressional delegation, and the only openly [[Atheism in the United States|atheist member of Congress]].

After 2010 redistricting, Stark's district was renumbered as the [[California's 15th congressional district|15th district]] for the 2012 election. He narrowly finished first in the primary ahead of fellow Democrat [[Eric Swalwell]], but lost to Swalwell in the general election. He was the second-longest serving U.S. Congressman, after [[Jack Brooks (American politician)|Jack Brooks]] (D-Texas, 1994), to lose a general election.

== Early life, education, and banking career ==
Stark was born on November 11, 1931, in [[Milwaukee]], [[Wisconsin]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://history.house.gov/People/Detail/22142 | title=STARK, Fortney Hillman (Pete)}}</ref> the son of Dorothy M. ({{nee|Mueller}}) and Fortney Hillman Stark.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZZxmAAAAMAAJ&q=Fortney+Hillman+Stark+Dorothy+M.+(Mueller)+S. |title=Who's who in the West | via=[[Google Books]] | publisher=[[Marquis Who's Who]] |date=June 4, 2008 |isbn=9780837909356}}</ref> He was of German and Swiss descent.

He graduated from [[Wauwatosa East High School|Wauwatosa High School]] in 1949.<ref>[https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CDIR-1979-03-23/text/CDIR-1979-03-23.txt 1979 Official Congressional Directory, 96th Congress 1st Session]</ref> Stark received a [[Bachelor of Science]] [[Academic degree|degree]] in general [[engineering]] at the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] in 1953.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2012/10/04/pete-stark-and-eric-swalwell-candidate-bios/ | title=Pete Stark and Eric Swalwell: Candidate bios |  first=Josh | last=Richman | work=[[San Jose Mercury News]] | date=October 4, 2012}}</ref> He served in the [[United States Air Force]] from 1955 to 1957. After leaving the Air Force, Stark attended the [[Haas School of Business]] at the [[University of California, Berkeley]], and received his [[Master of Business Administration|MBA]] in 1960.

In 1963, Stark founded Security National Bank, based in [[Walnut Creek, California|Walnut Creek]]. He described it as "a bank whose sole purpose was to fulfill the financial needs of working people." It was reportedly the first in the country to offer free checking. While Stark grew up as a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], his [[opposition to the Vietnam War]] led him to switch parties in the mid-1960s.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-apr-26-me-liberal26-story.html |title=Congressman Revels in His Ultra-Liberal Rating |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=April 26, 2006 | url-access=limited}}</ref> He printed [[cheque]]s with [[peace sign]]s on them and placed a giant peace sign on the roof of his bank's headquarters.<ref>{{cite web | first=Daniel | last=Weintraub |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/us/07sfpolitics.html |title=Pete Stark Is Often His Own Worst Enemy |work=[[The New York Times]] | date=March 7, 2010 | url-access=limited}}</ref> In 1971, Stark was elected to the [[Common Cause]] National Governing Board.<ref name=nytobit/> Stark sold his interest in the bank for millions in 1972 when he was elected to the House of Representatives.<ref name=SCHUDEL>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/pete-stark-fiery-california-congressman-and-advocate-of-universal-health-care-dies-at-88/2020/01/25/63a90284-3f91-11ea-8872-5df698785a4e_story.html | title=Pete Stark, fiery California congressman and advocate of universal health care, dies at 88 | first=MATT | last=SCHUDEL | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | date=January 25, 2020}}</ref>

==U.S. House of Representatives==

===Elections===
In 1972, at the age of 41, Stark ran in the Democratic [[Partisan primary|primary]] against 14-term incumbent U.S. Representative and octogenarian [[George Paul Miller]] of [[Alameda, California|Alameda]] in what was then the [[California's 8th congressional district|8th district]]. He won the Democratic primary with 56% of the vote, a 34-point margin.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=236037 |title=Our Campaigns - CA District 08 - D Primary Race - Jun 06, 1972 |website=www.ourcampaigns.com}}</ref> In the [[1972 United States House of Representatives elections]], he defeated Republican Lew Warden with 53% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ebcitizen.com/2020/01/24/pete-stark-40-year-east-bay-congressman-and-progressive-icon-dies/ |title=Pete Stark, 40-year East Bay congressman and progressive icon, dies | work=East Bay Citizen | date=January 24, 2020}}</ref> He did not face another contest nearly that close until 2012, and was re-elected 18 times.<ref name=SCHUDEL/>

Stark was unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the 2008 election and was re-elected in the general election with 76.5% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.smartvoter.org/2008/11/04/ca/state/race/usrep13/ | title=United States Representative; District 13 Voter Information | publisher=Smartvoter}}</ref>

He faced his first Democratic challenger in 2010, and the challenger showed weakening support for Stark, gathering 16% of the primary votes without any endorsements.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2010/house/california/13.html |title=California 13th District Race Profile – Election 2010 |work=[[The New York Times]] | date=December 10, 2010}}</ref>

In the [[2012 United States House of Representatives elections]], Stark's district was renumbered as [[California's 15th congressional district]]. Because of California's new [[nonpartisan blanket primary]], which allows the general election to be contested by the two highest vote-getters in the primary regardless of party affiliation,<ref>{{cite news |last=Onishi |first=Norimitsu |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/25/us/politics/new-rules-upend-house-re-election-races-in-california.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |title='Top-Two' Election Change in California Upends Races |location=California |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 24, 2012 | url-access=limited}}</ref> his opponent in the general election was [[Dublin, California|Dublin]] city councilman [[Eric Swalwell]], a fellow Democrat who was almost half a century Stark’s junior. During the campaign, the Stark campaign circulated a flyer associating Swalwell with the [[Tea Party movement]], a characterization rejected by both the Swalwell campaign and Josh Richman of the ''[[San Jose Mercury News]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2012/11/02/political-blotter-eric-swalwell-a-tea-partier-um-no/ |title=Political Blotter: Eric Swalwell a tea partier? Um, no. | first=Josh | last=Richman | work=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=November 2, 2012}}</ref> In the general election, Swalwell [[2012 United States House of Representatives elections in California#District 15|defeated Stark]] with 52% of the vote.

===Tenure===
At 40 years (as of the end of service on January 3, 2013), Stark had been the longest-serving [[member of Congress]] from California, serving continuously from January 3, 1973, through January 3, 2013. The [[Hayward Area Historical Society]] is the repository of Stark's papers from his tenure.<ref name=blotter>{{cite news | url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2013/02/10/political-blotter-historical-society-takes-pete-starks-papers/ |title=Political Blotter: Historical society takes Pete Stark's papers | first=Josh | last=Richman | work=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=February 10, 2013}}</ref>

===Fiscal policy===
Stark voted against the [[Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008]], which was supported by most House Democrats and over half of House Republicans, in part because of its cost.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll315.xml | title=HR 2419, QUESTION: On Agreeing to the Conference Report, BILL TITLE: Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act | publisher=[[Clerk of the United States House of Representatives]] | date=May 14, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123751291083991301 |title=Congress's Own Liechtenstein | work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=March 20, 2009 | url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Stark voted both times against the [[Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008]], which created the [[Troubled Asset Relief Program]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll674.xml | title=HR 3997, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide earnings assistance and tax relief to members of the uniformed services, volunteer firefighters, and Peace Corps volunteers, and for other purposes, On Concurring in Senate Amendment With An Amendment | publisher=[[Clerk of the United States House of Representatives]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll681.xml | title=HR 1424, Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, On Motion to Concur in Senate Amendments | publisher=[[Clerk of the United States House of Representatives]]}}</ref> Stark strongly criticized the bank bailout legislation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abc7news.com/archive/6431352/ |title=A look at how Bay Area lawmakers voted on the bailout | work=[[KGO-TV]] |date=October 3, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/public-statement/381456/statement-in-opposition-to-bailout-legislation |title=Statement in Opposition to Bailout Legislation |date=September 29, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301135247/http://www.house.gov/stark/news/110th/pressreleases/2008-09/29-bailout.htm |publisher=[[Vote Smart]] |archive-date=March 1, 2009}}</ref> He said he was " one of the few members on my side of the aisle to vote against the TARP bill both times....because I believed that it rewarded the very entities that built the financial house of cards that has come crashing down."<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2009-01-21/html/CREC-2009-01-21-pt1-PgE117.htm | title=TARP REFORM AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2009 speech of HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK of california in the house of representatives | publisher=[[United States Government Publishing Office]] | date=January 15, 2009}}</ref>

Stark supported a 0.005% [[financial transaction tax]] applying to "trades of stocks, bonds, foreign exchange, futures and options involving large-scale traders who make more than $10,000 in transactions" annually.<ref name=McGowan>{{cite news | first=Elizabeth | last=McGowan | url=https://insideclimatenews.org/news/20100728/tiny-tax-wall-street-trades-pay-climate-mitigation | title=Tiny Tax on Wall Street Trades to Pay for Climate Mitigation? | work=[[InsideClimate News]] | date=July 28, 2010}}</ref> In 2010, he introduced a bill, the Investing in Our Future Act, that would create such a tax.<ref name=StarkTax>{{cite news | first=Pete | last=Stark | url=https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/economy-a-budget/109869-currency-tax-a-way-to-invest-in-our-future-rep-stark | title=Currency tax: A way to invest in our future | work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] | date=July 20, 2010}}</ref> The bill proposed using the revenue raised to invest in [[climate change adaptation]], child care programs, and a Global Health Trust Fund to combat diseases, such as [[HIV/AIDS]], [[malaria]], and [[tuberculosis]].<ref name=McGowan/><ref name=StarkTax/>

===Health care===
Stark had a longstanding interest in health care issues and was critical of the [[health insurance coverage in the United States]] during the [[George W. Bush]] administration.<ref name="Benjamin">{{cite news | first1=Matthew | last1=Benjamin | first2=Kerry | last2=Young | url=https://www.nysun.com/national/46-million-live-in-us-without-health-insurance/38815/ |title=46 Million Live in U.S. Without Health Insurance| work=[[New York Sun]] |date=August 30, 2006}}</ref> With [[John Conyers]], in April 2006, Stark brought an action against President Bush and others alleging violations of the [[United States Constitution]] in the passing of the [[Deficit Reduction Act of 2005]], which cut [[Medicaid]] payments.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-04-28-budget-lawsuit_x.htm | title=11 House Members to Sue Over Budget Bill| work=[[USA Today]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=April 28, 2006}}</ref> The case, ''[[Conyers v. Bush]]'', was dismissed for [[Standing (law)|lack of standing]] in November 2006.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://casetext.com/case/conyers-v-bush | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005034940/https://casetext.com/case/conyers-v-bush | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 5, 2021 | title=Conyers v. Bush | publisher=casetext | date=November 6, 2006}}</ref>

In January 1985, Stark became Chairman of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee with jurisdiction over Medicare and national health insurance proposals.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.commonwealthfund.org/person/pete-stark | title=Pete Stark | publisher=[[Commonwealth Fund]]}}</ref> Over the years, he used Budget Reconciliation bills to add amendments to impact health care. An amendment to the [[Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985]] (COBRA) required many employers to offer continuation health insurance coverage in many different situations (divorce, separation from employment, etc.) Over the years, tens of millions of Americans have used this COBRA law to continue health coverage. In 1986, he led in amending that year's budget bill to include the [[Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act]], which requires hospitals to treat and stabilize persons presenting at [[emergency room]]s with emergency conditions or in active labor, regardless of the person's insurance status or ability to pay. In 1988, Stark introduced an "Ethics in Patient Referrals Act" bill concerning physician self-referrals.<ref name="researchgate61">{{cite journal |last1=Kolber| first1=Morey J| title=Stark regulation: a historical and current review of the self-referral laws |journal=HEC Forum |volume=18 |issue=1 |year=2006 |pages=61–84| url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6720630 |doi=10.1007/s10730-006-7988-3 |pmid=17076130 |s2cid=28269719}}</ref> Some of the ideas in the bill became law as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990.<ref name="researchgate61"/> What is referred to as "Stark I" prohibited a physician referring a Medicare patient to a clinical laboratory if the physician or his/her family member has a financial interest in that laboratory.<ref name="researchgate61"/> It was codified in the [[United States Code]], Title 42, Section 1395nn (42 U.S.C. 1395nn, "Limitation on certain physician referrals").<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2014-title42/pdf/USCODE-2014-title42-chap7-subchapXVIII-partE-sec1395nn.pdf |title=42 U.S.C. § 1395nn. Limitation on certain physician referrals |publisher=[[United States Government Publishing Office]]}}</ref>

The [[Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993]] contained what is known as "Stark II" amendments to the original law.<ref name="thejns1">{{cite journal | url=https://thejns.org/focus/view/journals/neurosurg-focus/12/4/foc.2002.12.4.12.xml |last1=Kusske |first1=John A |title=Neurosurgical practice in the current regulatory environment |journal=Neurosurgical Focus| volume=12 |issue=4 |year=2002| pages=1–16| doi=10.3171/foc.2002.12.4.12| pmid=16212302 |doi-access=free}}</ref> "Stark II" extended the "Stark I" provisions to Medicaid patients and to DHS other than clinical laboratory services.<ref name="thejns1"/><ref>{{cite journal | title=Stark II enacted as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 | first1=R T | last1=Frazier | first2=K A | last2=Thallner Jr | journal=Delaware Medical Journal | date=December 1993| volume=65 | issue=12 | pages=783–785 | pmid=8258374 }}</ref>

The [[Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services]] has issued rules in the [[Federal Register]] to implement Stark Law, including a 2001 "Phase I" final rule, a 2004 "Phase II" interim final rule, and a 2007 "Phase III" final rule.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cms.gov/medicare/fraud-and-abuse/physicianselfreferral?redirect=/physicianselfreferral/ |title=Physician Self Referral |publisher=[[Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services]]}}</ref>

Over the years, Stark worked with others, notably his Republican counterpart, [[Bill Gradison]] (Ohio), and Representatives [[Henry Waxman]], [[George Miller (California politician)|George Miller]], and Senator [[Ted Kennedy]], to advance health improvement ideas. Stark led in introducing bills to allow more people to buy into Medicare at an earlier age, to expand Medicare by allowing all infants to enroll in Medicare, and to provide a prescription drug benefit in Medicare. In his work on the [[Clinton health care plan of 1993]], Stark developed, and continued to promote the basic ideas now part of the [[Affordable Care Act]] and in various Medicare for Americans ideas: all Americans should have good, basic health insurance; if they don't have such coverage, they should buy it, and if they can't afford it, they should get government subsidies to make it affordable.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/01/02/168133216/pete-stark-health-policy-warrior-leaves-a-long-legacy |title=Pete Stark, Health Policy Warrior, Leaves A Long Legacy : Shots - Health News | first=JULIE | last=ROVNER | work=[[NPR]] | date=January 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2010, Stark's seniority would have placed him in line for the chairmanship of the Ways and Means committee, when [[Charlie Rangel]] was forced by ethics charges to step down. However Stark only held the chairmanship for one day, as Democrats instead voted for [[Sander Levin]] to take over, due to Stark's history of controversial remarks.<ref name="Lochhead"/>

===Iraq War===
[[File:Stark 02.JPG|thumb|right|200 px|Pete Stark speaks at a Town Hall meeting in January 2007 in [[San Leandro, California]].]]
Stark was an early opponent of the [[Iraq War]], [[s:Pete Stark's Iraq Speech|speaking on the floor]] against the resolution authorizing military force against Iraq, on October 10, 2002. In part, he said: {{blockquote|Well then, who will pay? School kids will pay. There'll be no money to keep them from being left behind—way behind. Seniors will pay. They'll pay big time as the Republicans privatize Social Security and rob the Trust Fund to pay for the capricious war. Medicare will be curtailed and drugs will be more unaffordable. And there won't be any money for a drug benefit because Bush will spend it all on the war. Working folks will pay through loss of job security and bargaining rights. Our grandchildren will pay through the degradation of our air and water quality. And the entire nation will pay as Bush continues to destroy civil rights, women's rights and religious freedom in a rush to phony patriotism and to courting the messianic Pharisees of the religious right.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/10/us/threats-responses-excerpts-house-debate-use-military-force-against-iraq.html | title=THREATS AND RESPONSES; Excerpts From House Debate on the Use of Military Force Against Iraq | work=[[The New York Times]]| date=October 10, 2002 | url-access=limited}}</ref>}}

In January 2003, Stark supported a reinstatement of the draft, partly in protest against the call to war but also saying, "If we're going to have these escapades, we should not do it on the backs of poor people and minorities."<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Stark-joins-call-to-restore-draft-He-admits-2638487.php | title=Stark joins call to restore draft / He admits co-sponsoring the bill is protest against a war in Iraq | first=Edward | last=Epstein | work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] | date=January 23, 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://eastbayexpress.com/why-pete-stark-mattered-1/ | title=Why Pete Stark Mattered | first=Steven | last=Tavares | work=[[East Bay Express]] | date=January 29, 2020}}</ref> In October 2004, he was one of only two members of Congress to vote in favor of the [[Universal National Service Act]] of 2003 (HR 163), a bill proposing resumption of the military draft.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2004/roll494.xml | title=FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 494 | publisher=[[Clerk of the United States House of Representatives]] | date=October 5, 2004}}</ref>

He did not vote for any bills to continue funding the Iraq war, but voted 'present' for some. In a statement posted on his website he explained, "Despite my utmost respect for my colleagues who crafted this bill, I can't in good conscience vote to continue this war. Nor, however, can I vote 'No' and join those who think today's legislation goes too far toward withdrawal. That's why I'm making the difficult decision to vote 'present'."<ref>{{cite web |date=March 23, 2007 | url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2007-03-23/html/CREC-2007-03-23-pt1-PgH2961-4.htm |title=Congressional Record: U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act, 2007 |work=[[GovTrack]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914185024/http://www.govtrack.us/congress/record.xpd?id=110-h20070323-19#sMonofilemx003Ammx002Fmmx002Fmmx002Fmhomemx002Fmgovtrackmx002Fmdatamx002Fmusmx002Fm110mx002Fmcrmx002Fmh20070323-19.xmlElementm164m0m0m | archive-date=September 14, 2008}}</ref>

===Atheism===
{{Quote box
|quote="[I am] a Unitarian who does not believe in a Supreme Being. I look forward to working with the Secular Coalition to stop the promotion of narrow religious beliefs in science, marriage contracts, the military and the provision of social service."|source=Statement from Stark, January 2007<ref name="SFGate-Stark">{{cite news| url=https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Stark-s-atheist-views-break-political-taboo-2570270.php | title=Stark's atheist views break political taboo | first=Carla | last=Marinucci | work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] | date=March 14, 2007}}</ref>|align=right|width=50%}}

Stark was the first openly [[atheism|atheist]] member of Congress, as announced by the [[Secular Coalition for America]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-mar-13-na-atheist13-story.html |title=Congressman says he doesn't believe in God | first=ADAM | last=SCHRECK | work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=March 13, 2007 | url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2007/03/12/behind-the-scenes-of-congressman-pete-starks-announcement/ | title=Behind the Scenes of Congressman Pete Stark's Announcement | work=[[Patheos]] | date=March 12, 2007}}</ref> He acknowledged that he was an [[atheist]] in response to an SCA questionnaire sent to public officials in January 2007.

On September 20, 2007, Stark reaffirmed that he was an atheist by making a public announcement in front of the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard, the Harvard Law School Heathen Society, and various other atheist, [[agnostic]], [[secular]], [[humanism|humanist]], and [[nontheism|nonreligious]] groups.<ref name="Phillips">{{cite news | first=Amanda | last=Phillips | url=http://hlrecord.org/u-s-rep-pete-stark-comes-out-as-an-atheist/ | title=U.S. Rep. Pete Stark "Comes Out" as an Atheist | work=[[Common Dreams NewsCenter]] | date=September 27, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008230536/http://media.www.hlrecord.org/media/storage/paper609/news/2007/09/27/News/U.s-Rep.Pete.Stark.comes.Out.As.An.Atheist-3000553.shtml?reffeature=mostemailedtab | archive-date=October 8, 2007}}</ref> The [[American Humanist Association]] named him 2008 Humanist of the Year,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://americanhumanist.org/press-releases/2008-06-representative-pete-stark-named-2008-humanist-of-the-year-nontheist-leaders-gather-in-washington-to-unify-efforts-and-honor-trailblazers/ | title=Representative Pete Stark Named 2008 Humanist of the Year | work=[[American Humanist Association]] | date=June 6, 2008}}</ref> and he served on the AHA Advisory Board. On February 9, 2011, Stark introduced a bill to Congress designating February 12, 2011, as [[Darwin Day]]; this was a collaboration between Stark and the American Humanist Association. The resolution states, "[[Charles Darwin]] is a worthy symbol of scientific advancement&nbsp;... and around which to build a global celebration of science and humanity."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hres81/text |title=H. Res. 81, 112th Congress, 2011–2013 | publisher=[[GovTrack]] | date=February 9, 2011}}</ref>

In 2011, he and eight other lawmakers voted to reject the existing national motto, “In God We Trust."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Winston | first=Kimberly | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/arizona-democrat-to-replace-defeated-pete-stark-as-sole-atheist-in-congress/2012/11/07/e0119374-291c-11e2-aaa5-ac786110c486_story.html | title=Arizona Democrat to replace defeated Pete Stark as sole atheist in Congress |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | date=November 8, 2012}}</ref> The next year, [[Eric Swalwell]], his challenger in the Democratic primary campaign, criticized him for this vote.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2020/01/25/rep-pete-stark-the-first-openly-non-religious-member-of-congress-has-died/ | title=Rep. Pete Stark, the First Openly Non-Religious Member of Congress, Has Died | work=[[Patheos]] | date=January 25, 2020}}</ref>

Stark served on the Advisory Board of the [[Secular Coalition for America]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.petestarkmemorial.com/share-memories-of-pete | title=Share Your Memories of Pete}}</ref>

===Committee assignments===
* [[United States House Committee on Ways and Means|Committee on Ways and Means]]
** [[United States House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health|Subcommittee on Health]] (Ranking Member)
** [[United States House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support|Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support]]

;Caucuses
* [[Congressional Progressive Caucus]]
* [[Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus]] (Associate Member)
* [[United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus|International Conservation Caucus]]

==Controversies==
{{criticism section|date=November 2023}}

===Controversial statements===
In 1991, he singled out "[[Jewish]] colleagues" for blame for the [[Gulf War]], claiming they voted for it "as a matter of convenience" to help Israel and referring to Congressman [[Stephen Solarz]] of [[New York (state)|New York]], who co-sponsored the Gulf War Authorization Act, as "Field Marshal Solarz in the pro-[[Israel]] forces".<ref name=Gaffe>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/23/AR2007102302165.html | title=Stark's Latest Gaffe Is Just One In a Long Line | first=Jonathan | last=Weisman | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | date=October 24, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-03-23-mn-37549-story.html | title=Pete Stark May Be a Tough Pill for Clinton to Swallow : Chairman of key House subcommittee irks Administration by pushing his own plan to provide universal health coverage. | first=JAMES | last=BORNEMEIER | work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=March 23, 1994 | url-access=limited}}</ref>

In 1995, during a private meeting with Congresswoman [[Nancy Johnson]] of [[Connecticut]], he called Johnson a "whore for the insurance industry" and suggested that her knowledge of health care came solely from "[[pillow talk]]" with her husband, a physician. His press secretary, Caleb Marshall, defended him in saying, "He didn't call her a 'whore', he called her a 'whore of the insurance industry.'"<ref name=Gaffe/>

In a 2001 [[United States House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health|Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health]] hearing on [[abstinence]] promotion, he referred to Congressman [[J. C. Watts]] of [[Oklahoma]] as "the current [[Republican Conference Chairman of the United States House of Representatives|Republican Conference Chairman]], whose children were all born out of wedlock."<ref name=Gaffe/>

In 2003, when Stark was told to "shut up" by Congressman [[Scott McInnis]] of [[Colorado]] during a [[United States House Committee on Ways and Means|Ways and Means Committee]] meeting due to Stark's belittling of the chairman, [[Bill Thomas]] of [[California]], he replied, "You think you are big enough to make me, you little wimp? Come on. Come over here and make me, I dare you. You little fruitcake."<ref name=Gaffe/>

In a 2008 interview with documentarian Jan Helfeld, Stark stated that the size of the national debt is a reflection of the nation's wealth. When pressed if the nation should take on more debt in order to have more wealth, Stark threatened Helfeld: "You get the fuck out of here or I'll throw you out the window."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/57233--profanity-laced-stark-interview-circulating-on-the-blogosphere | title=Profanity laced Stark interview circulating on the blogosphere | first=ERIC | last=ZIMMERMANN | work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] | date=September 3, 2009}}</ref>

On August 27, 2009, Stark suggested that his moderate Democratic colleagues were "[[brain dead]]" for proposing changes to the [[America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009]] being considered by Congress. During a conference call, Stark said that they: {{blockquote|... just want to cause trouble ... they're for the most part, I hate to say, brain dead, but they're just looking to raise money from insurance companies and promote a [[Right-wing politics|right-wing]] agenda that is not really very useful in this whole process.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2009/08/pete-stark-dem-moderates-brain-dead-020929 | title=Pete Stark: Dem moderates "brain dead" | first=GLENN | last=THRUSH | work=[[Politico]] | date=August 27, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/key-democrat-suggests-party-moderates-brain-dead/ | title=Key Democrat suggests party moderates 'brain dead' | first=ERICA | last=WERNER | agency=[[Associated Press]] | work=[[The Seattle Times]]| date=August 28, 2009}}</ref>}}

During a [[town hall meeting]] in September 2009, a constituent who opposed President [[Barack Obama]]'s health care plan told Stark, "Mr. Congressman, don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining." Stark responded with, "I wouldn't dignify you by peeing on your leg. It wouldn't be worth wasting the urine."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://thehill.com/capital-living/in-the-know/58693-rep-stark-to-constituent-i-wont-pee-on-your-leg | title=Rep. Stark to constituent: I won't 'waste' urine to pee on your leg | first=CHRISTINA | last=WILKIE | work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] | date=September 14, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2009/09/pete-stark-wont-pee-on-your-leg-021385 | title=Pete Stark won't pee on your leg | first=GLENN | last=THRUSH | work=[[Politico]] | date=September 15, 2009}}</ref>

====2007 debate====
On October 18, 2007, Stark made the following comments on the House floor during a debate with Congressman [[Joe Barton]] of [[Texas]]: {{blockquote|"You don't have money to fund the war or children...but you're going to spend it to 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."<ref>{{YouTube|DsGaNR9dVPM}}, October 18, 2007.</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-now/2007/10/pelosi-condemns-starks-controversial-remarks-003748 | title=Pelosi condemns Stark's controversial remarks | first=MARTIN | last=KADY II | work=[[Politico]] | date=October 19, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-oct-24-na-stark24-story.html | title=Democrat apologizes over troop remark | first=Johanna | last=Neuman | work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=October 24, 2007 | url-access=limited}}</ref>}}

Following the initial criticism to his statements, when asked by a radio station if he would take back any of his statements, Stark responded "Absolutely not. I may have dishonored the Commander-in-Chief, but I think he's done pretty well to dishonor himself without any help from me." The same day, his office also issued a press release, saying in part: "I have nothing but respect for our brave men and women in uniform and wish them the very best. But I respect neither the Commander-in-Chief who keeps them in harms{{sic}} way nor the [[Chickenhawk (politics)|chickenhawks]] in Congress who vote to deny children health care”.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/Return-of-the-chicken-hawks-2533626.php | title=Return of the chicken hawks | first=Debra J. | last=Saunders | work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] | date=October 22, 2007}}</ref>

Five days later, on October 23, after the House voted down a [[Censure in the United States|censure]] resolution against Stark sponsored by [[Party leaders of the United States House of Representatives|Minority Leader]] [[John Boehner]],<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/24/washington/24apology.html | title=Effort to Censure Lawmaker for a Comment Falls Short | first=David | last=Stout | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=October 24, 2007 | url-access=limited}}</ref> he said: {{blockquote|I apologize for this reason: I think we have serious issues before us, the issue of providing medical care to children, the issue about what we're going to do about a war that we're divided about how to end.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.montereyherald.com/2007/10/24/stark-apologizes-for-iraq-remark/ | title=Stark apologizes for Iraq remark | work=[[The Monterey County Herald]] | date=October 24, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Stark-apologizes-for-harsh-remarks-on-GOP-war-3235764.php | title=Stark apologizes for harsh remarks on GOP war attitudes | first=Zachary | last=Coile | work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] | date=October 24, 2007}}</ref>}}

===Real estate taxes===
Stark bought a $1.7 million waterfront home in [[Harwood, Maryland|Harwood]], [[Anne Arundel County, Maryland]], in 1988, and spent most of his time there in the latter part of his congressional tenure. However, he continued to claim a house in Fremont as his official residence, and visited his Bay Area district twice a month. Following his retirement from public office, he remained in Maryland.<ref name=opinion/>

For two years, in 2007 and 2008, Stark allegedly claimed the Harwood house as his primary residence, claiming a [[homestead exemption]] that reduced his real estate taxes by $3,853. Under Maryland law, to qualify, the owner must register to vote and drive in Maryland; Stark was registered in California despite living in Maryland for two-thirds of the year.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/maryland_is_home_sweet_home_for_congressmen_seeking_tax_break | title=Maryland Is Home Sweet Home for Congressmen Seeking Tax Break | first=MARTHA | last=NEIL | work=[[ABA Journal]] | date=March 19, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2009-03-california_congressman_gets_ma-story.html | title=California congressman gets Maryland tax break after declaring Anne Arundel waterfront home as primary residence | first=DAVID | last=NITKIN | work=[[The Baltimore Sun]] | date=March 19, 2009}}</ref> The [[United States House Committee on Ethics]] began an investigation and in January 2010, it voted unanimously to clear Stark of any wrongdoing.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-report/111th-congress/house-report/409/1 | title=H. Rept. 111-409 - IN THE MATTER OF REPRESENTATIVE FORTNEY ''PETE'' STARK | date=January 29, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.rollcall.com/2010/01/28/ethics-committee-clears-stark-over-maryland-tax-break/ | title=Ethics Committee Clears Stark Over Maryland Tax Break | first=Jennifer | last=Yachnin | work=[[Roll Call]] | date=January 28, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/house-ethics-panel-clears-rep-pete-stark-in-tax-break-probe | title=House Ethics Panel Clears Rep. Pete Stark In Tax Break Probe | first=Justin | last=Elliott | work=[[Talking Points Memo]] | date=January 28, 2010}}</ref>

==Electoral history==
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
|-
! Year
! District
! colspan=2 style="width: 18%;" | Democratic
! colspan=2 style="width: 15%;" | Republican
! colspan="9" |Other
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | 1972
| style="text-align: left;" | 8th district
| style="background:#ccf;"| '''Pete Stark'''
| style="background:#ccf;"| '''52%'''
| style="background:#fcc;"| Lew M. Warden
| style="background:#fcc;"| 47%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | 1974
| rowspan="9" style="text-align: left;" | 9th district
| style="background:#ccf;" | '''Pete Stark (inc.)'''
| style="background:#ccf;"| '''71%'''
| style="background:#fcc;"| Edson Adams
| style="background:#fcc;"| 29%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|1976
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''Pete Stark (inc.)'''
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''71%'''
|style="background:#fcc;"|James K. Mills
|style="background:#fcc;"|27%
|Albert L. Sargis 
|Peace & Freedom
|2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|1978
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''Pete Stark (inc.)'''
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''65%'''
|style="background:#fcc;"|Robert S. Allen
|style="background:#fcc;"|31%
|Lawrance J. Phillips
|Peace & Freedom
|4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|1980
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''Pete Stark (inc.)'''
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''55%'''
|style="background:#fcc;"|William J. Kennedy
|style="background:#fcc;"|41%
|Steven W. Clanin
|Libertarian
|4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|1982
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''Pete Stark (inc.)'''
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''60%'''
|style="background:#fcc;"|William J. Kennedy
|style="background:#fcc;"|39%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|1984
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''Pete Stark (inc.)'''
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''70%'''
|style="background:#fcc;"|J.T. Beaver
|style="background:#fcc;"|26%
|Martha Fuhrig
|Libertarian
|4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|1986
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''Pete Stark (inc.)'''
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''70%'''
|style="background:#fcc;"|David M. Williams
|style="background:#fcc;"|30%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|1988
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''Pete Stark (inc.)'''
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''73%'''
|style="background:#fcc;"|Howard Hertz
|style="background:#fcc;"|27%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|1990
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''Pete Stark (inc.)'''
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''58%'''
|style="background:#fcc;"|Victor Romero
|style="background:#fcc;"|41%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|1992
| rowspan="10" |[[California's 13th congressional district|13th district]]
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''Pete Stark (inc.)'''
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''60%'''
|style="background:#fcc;"|Verne Teyler
|style="background:#fcc;"|32%
|Roslyn A. Allen
|Peace & Freedom
|8%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|1994
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''Pete Stark (inc.)'''
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''65%'''
|style="background:#fcc;"|Larry Molton
|style="background:#fcc;"|30%
|Robert Gough
|Libertarian
|5%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|1996
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''Pete Stark (inc.)'''
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''65%'''
|style="background:#fcc;"|James S. Fay
|style="background:#fcc;"|30%
|Terry Savage
|Libertarian
|4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|1998
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''Pete Stark (inc.)'''
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''71%'''
|style="background:#fcc;"|James R. Goetz
|style="background:#fcc;"|27%
|Karnig Beylikjian
|Natural Law
|4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|2000
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''Pete Stark (inc.)'''
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''71%'''
|style="background:#fcc;"|James R. Goetz
|style="background:#fcc;"|24%
|Howard Mora
|Libertarian
|3%
|Timothy R. Hoehner
|Natural Law
|1%
|Don J.Grundman
|American Independent
|1%
|-
|2002
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''Pete Stark (inc.)'''
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''71%'''
|style="background:#fcc;"|Syed R. Mahmood
|style="background:#fcc;"|22%
|Mark R. Stroberg
|Libertarian
|3%
|Don J.Grundman
|American Independent
|2%
|John J. Bambey
|Reform
|2%
|-
|2004
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''Pete Stark (inc.)'''
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''72%'''
|style="background:#fcc;"|George I. Bruno
|style="background:#fcc;"|28%
|Mark R. Stroberg
|Libertarian
|4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|2006
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''Pete Stark (inc.)'''
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''76%'''
|style="background:#fcc;"|George L. Bruno
|style="background:#fcc;"|25%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|2008
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''Pete Stark (inc.)'''
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''76%'''
|style="background:#fcc;"|Raymond Chui
|style="background:#fcc;"|23%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|2010
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''Pete Stark (inc.)'''
| style="background:#ccf;" |'''72%'''
|style="background:#fcc;"|Forest Baker
|style="background:#fcc;"|27%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
|-
! Year
! District
! colspan="2" style="width: 18%;" | Democratic
! colspan="2" style="width: 15%;" | Democratic
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | 2012
| style="text-align: left;" | [[California's 15th congressional district|California 15th District]]
| style="background:#ccf;" | '''[[Eric Swalwell]]'''
| style="background:#ccf;" | '''52%'''
| style="background:#ccf;" | Pete Stark (inc.)
| style="background:#ccf;" | 48%
|}

==Death==
Stark died at his home in [[Harwood, Maryland]], on January 24, 2020, at the age of 88, from [[leukemia]].<ref name=nytobit>{{cite news |title=Pete Stark, Fighter in Congress for Health Care, Dies at 88 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/27/us/politics/pete-stark-dead.html |last=Seelye |first=Katharine Q. |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=January 27, 2020 | url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name=Former>{{cite news |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Former-California-Congressman-Pete-Stark-dies-at-15003285.php |title=Former California Congressman Pete Stark dies at 88 | work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] | date=January 25, 2020}}</ref> His successor in Congress, [[Eric Swalwell]], issued a statement:{{blockquote|Pete Stark gave decades of public service to East Bay residents as a voice in Congress for working people... His knowledge of policy, particularly regarding health care, and his opposition to unnecessary wars demonstrated his deep care for his constituents. Our community mourns his loss.<ref name=Former/>}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|wikt=no|commons=Category:Pete Stark|v=no|n=no|d=Q965768|b=no|s=Author:Fortney Hillman Stark}}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312052057/http://www.house.gov/stark/ |date=March 12, 2008 |title=Congressman Pete Stark }} ''official U.S. House website'' (archived)
* {{CongLinks | congbio=s000810 | votesmart= | fec=H6CA09023 | congress= }}
* {{YouTube|UjbPZAMked0|Interview with Jan Helfeld}}
* {{C-SPAN|6747}}

{{S-start}}
{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{US House succession box |
  state=California|
  district=8 |
  before=[[George P. Miller]] |
  after=Ron Dellums |
  years=1973–1975
}}
{{US House succession box |
  state=California|
  district=9 |
  before=[[Don Edwards]] |
  after=Ron Dellums |
  years=1975–1993
}}
{{US House succession box |
  state=California|
  district=13 |
  before=[[Norman Mineta]] |
  after=[[Barbara Lee]] |
  years=1993–2013
}}
{{s-off}}
{{Succession box
| title=Chairman of the [[United States House Committee on the District of Columbia|House District of Columbia Committee]]
| before=[[Ron Dellums]]<br />California
| after=Duties transferred to [[United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform|Government Reform and Oversight Committee]]
| years=1993–1995
}}
{{S-end}}

{{Portal bar|Politics|California|United States}}
{{US House District of Columbia chairs}}
{{United States representatives from California 1-10}}
{{United States representatives from California 11-30}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stark, Pete}}
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