| − | '''Pete Stark''', a [[liberal]] [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], was [[United States Representative]] for [[California]]'s 13th congressional district (1993-2013). Previously he represented the 9th district (1975–93) and the 8th district (1973–75). He is also noted for being Congress' first admitted [[atheist]].<ref>[http://www.secular.org/news/pete_stark_070312.html Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) is first Congress member in history to acknowledge his nontheism]</ref> He received a $1000 prize from the Secular Coalition for America for being the highest-level admitted atheist currently holding elected public office in the United States.<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/03/14/MNG7BOKV111.DTL Stark's atheist views break political taboo] SFGate, March 14, 2007</ref> He claims to be "a [[Unitarian]] who does not believe in a Supreme Being."{{fact}} | + | '''Pete Stark''', a [[liberal]] [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], was [[United States Representative]] for [[California]]'s 13th congressional district (1993-2013). Previously he represented the 9th district (1975–93) and the 8th district (1973–75). He is also noted for being Congress' first admitted [[atheist]].<ref>[http://www.secular.org/news/pete_stark_070312.html Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) is first Congress member in history to acknowledge his nontheism]</ref> He received a $1000 prize from the Secular Coalition for America for being the highest-level admitted atheist currently holding elected public office in the United States.<ref>[https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/03/14/MNG7BOKV111.DTL Stark's atheist views break political taboo] SFGate, March 14, 2007</ref> He claims to be "a [[Unitarian]] who does not believe in a Supreme Being."{{fact}} |
| | He came under scrutiny for making a disparaging comment about President [[George W. Bush]], saying that the President was sending troops into [[Iraq]] to have their heads blown off for his amusement. Stark later apologized for his comments. | | He came under scrutiny for making a disparaging comment about President [[George W. Bush]], saying that the President was sending troops into [[Iraq]] to have their heads blown off for his amusement. Stark later apologized for his comments. |
| − | The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to defund ACORN, 345-75, on September 17, 2009. Seventy-five Democrats (Stark included) stood with [[ACORN]] and voted no,<ref>[http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/House-votes-to-cut-off-ACORN-funding-59647917.html House votes to cut off funding, but 75 stand by ACORN, Washington Examiner, September 17, 2009]</ref> despite nationwide attention related to voter fraud and recent revelation of ACORN's ties to prostitution including child trafficking and defrauding the IRS. | + | The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to defund ACORN, 345-75, on September 17, 2009. Seventy-five Democrats (Stark included) stood with [[ACORN]] and voted no,<ref>[https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/House-votes-to-cut-off-ACORN-funding-59647917.html House votes to cut off funding, but 75 stand by ACORN, Washington Examiner, September 17, 2009]</ref> despite nationwide attention related to voter fraud and recent revelation of ACORN's ties to prostitution including child trafficking and defrauding the IRS. |