Date of Birth: November 19, 1939
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Biography
Thomas Richard Harkin, commonly known as Tom Harkin, is a distinguished American politician who served as a United States Senator from Iowa from 1985 to 2015. Born into a working-class family, Harkin’s early life was marked by the values of hard work and public service. After serving in the United States Navy as a jet pilot, Harkin embarked on a career in politics. He was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974, where he served for a decade before moving on to the Senate. During his tenure, Harkin was known for his advocacy on issues such as disability rights, healthcare reform, and education. He is perhaps best known for authoring the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a landmark piece of legislation that has had a profound impact on the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities. After retiring from the Senate, Harkin has remained active in public policy through his work with the Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement.
5 Interesting Facts about Tom Harkin
1. Tom Harkin played a crucial role in passing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, which has been a transformative law for disability rights in the United States.
2. Harkin is a fluent Spanish speaker, owing to his mother being an immigrant from Slovenia and his father from Ireland, emphasizing the multicultural background that influenced his world view.
3. During his naval career, Harkin flew jet aircraft and was stationed at Atsugi Naval Air Station in Japan.
4. Harkin was a strong advocate for healthcare reform and played a significant role in the passage of the Affordable Care Act.
5. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014 by President Barack Obama, recognizing his extensive contributions to public service and disability rights.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Tom Harkin
1. “What the American people want is for us to stop playing politics and solve the problems that need to be solved.”
2. “The ADA is a nondiscrimination statute. It is designed to make sure that people with disabilities are treated fairly and with respect.”
3. “Education is not a luxury, it is a necessity that changes lives and opens doors to opportunity for all people.”
4. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
5. “There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow citizens and your country.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Tom Harkin’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million, primarily from his salary as a senator and investments.
Children
Tom Harkin has two children with his wife, Ruth Harkin. Their names are Amy Harkin and Jenny Harkin.
Relevant Links
1. [Tom Harkin Biography – Senate.gov](https://www.senate.gov/senators/117thCongress/Harkin_Tom.htm
2. [Americans with Disabilities Act – ADA.gov](https://www.ada.gov/
3. [Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement](https://www.harkininstitute.org/
4. [Tom Harkin – C-SPAN Video Library](https://www.c-span.org/person/?tomharkin
5. [Tom Harkin – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0362968/
