Currently, John Kerry is a democratic senator in the United States Senate. His success is extensive and he has accomplished a large amount of legislation and continues to work for good causes. He is still one of the most influential senators and holds many leadership positions. He has dedicated the majority of his life to serve our country and to improve it in many ways.
John Kerry was born in December 11, 1943. He grew up in Massachusetts amongst Catholic faith. Since his father served as a foreign service officer, Kerry traveled regularly and observed different cultures and understood at an early age the idea of leadership and unity. Later, he volunteered to serve two tours in Vietnam and fought in some of the most dangerous areas. His commitment and various experiences earned him many military awards including three purple hearts, that were awarded by the president. This experience in Vietnam contributed to many life lessons, but it also made him feel responsible to restore the government’s leadership, that had been abused during the war. So when he returned to the US, at only 27, he began speaking out against the war. He spoke to Senate Committees where he once said, “How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?” (“John Kerry”).
Soon after, he graduated from Boston College Law School and became a successful prosecutor. Then, in 1982 he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. During this term, he is famous for work against acid rain. Next, in 1984 he was elected into the US Senate where he is now serving his fourth term (“John Kerry”).
In 2003, Kerry ran for president against George W. Bush, the incumbent. Kerry did lost the election. Bush won 51% of the vote while Kerry received only 48% (“CNN”). Although he lost, Kerry positively decided to continue his career in the Senate.
He has always been an active member of the Senate, and continues to be active today. Kerry has served on the Foreign Relations Committee for 19 years and he is now the chairman. He understands that the US must work with other countries. He successfully improved work on AIDS and the Iran-Contra scandal. He is also the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs. He has personal experience with the issue which makes him very knowledgeable and influencing. In addition, he is a member of the East Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee. His participation in these committees shows that he is a very influential spokesperson for US’s foreign affairs, especially those in the Middle East. He also serves on the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, the Committee on Finance, and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Kerry has had many accomplishments including health insurance for millions of low-income children, the improvement of public education, and strengthening the economy. In addition, Kerry is known as one of the strongest environmentalists in the Senate (“John Kerry”).
Today he is working toward improving and the awareness of climate change, creating jobs and a stronger economy, confirming Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court, passing the health reform bill, fulfilling promises to veterans, reforming the housing market, improving education, strengthening public safety, and aiding small businesses (“John Kerry U.S…”).
Works Cited “About John Kerry.” John Kerry. John Kerry for Senate, n.d. Web. 21 Sep 2010.
Currently, John Kerry is a democratic senator in the United States Senate. His success is extensive and he has accomplished a large amount of legislation and continues to work for good causes. He is still one of the most influential senators and holds many leadership positions. He has dedicated the majority of his life to serve our country and to improve it in many ways.
John Kerry was born in December 11, 1943. He grew up in Massachusetts amongst Catholic faith. Since his father served as a foreign service officer, Kerry traveled regularly and observed different cultures and understood at an early age the idea of leadership and unity. Later, he volunteered to serve two tours in Vietnam and fought in some of the most dangerous areas. His commitment and various experiences earned him many military awards including three purple hearts, that were awarded by the president. This experience in Vietnam contributed to many life lessons, but it also made him feel responsible to restore the government’s leadership, that had been abused during the war. So when he returned to the US, at only 27, he began speaking out against the war. He spoke to Senate Committees where he once said, “How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?” (“John Kerry”).
Soon after, he graduated from Boston College Law School and became a successful prosecutor. Then, in 1982 he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. During this term, he is famous for work against acid rain. Next, in 1984 he was elected into the US Senate where he is now serving his fourth term (“John Kerry”).
In 2003, Kerry ran for president against George W. Bush, the incumbent. Kerry did lost the election. Bush won 51% of the vote while Kerry received only 48% (“CNN”). Although he lost, Kerry positively decided to continue his career in the Senate.
He has always been an active member of the Senate, and continues to be active today. Kerry has served on the Foreign Relations Committee for 19 years and he is now the chairman. He understands that the US must work with other countries. He successfully improved work on AIDS and the Iran-Contra scandal. He is also the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs. He has personal experience with the issue which makes him very knowledgeable and influencing. In addition, he is a member of the East Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee. His participation in these committees shows that he is a very influential spokesperson for US’s foreign affairs, especially those in the Middle East. He also serves on the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, the Committee on Finance, and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Kerry has had many accomplishments including health insurance for millions of low-income children, the improvement of public education, and strengthening the economy. In addition, Kerry is known as one of the strongest environmentalists in the Senate (“John Kerry”).
Today he is working toward improving and the
awareness of climate change, creating jobs and a stronger economy, confirming Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court, passing the health reform bill, fulfilling promises to veterans, reforming the housing market, improving education, strengthening public safety, and aiding small businesses (“John Kerry U.S…”).
Works Cited
“About John Kerry.” John Kerry. John Kerry for Senate, n.d. Web. 21 Sep 2010.
<http://www.johnkerry.com/pages/about/>.
“America Votes 2004.” CNN. Cable News Network, 2005. Web. 21 Sep 2010.
<http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/>.
“List of All Issues.” John Kerry U.S. Senator for Massachusetts. U.S. government, n.d. Web. 21 Sep 2010.
<http://kerry.senate.gov/work/issues/>.