md_sen_MIKulSKI
SEN. BARBARA MIKULSKI
Age: 62 Born: July 20, 1936 in Baltimore, Maryland Education: University of Maryland, M.S.W. (1965); Mt. St. Agnes College, B.A. (1958) Military: None Family: single Hometown: Baltimore, MD Religion: Catholic Career: U.S. Senator (1986-present); U.S. House of Representatives (1976-86); Professor (1972-76); Baltimore City Council (1971-76); Social Worker, Baltimore Dept. of Social Services (1965-70) |
• Barbara Mikulski spent her childhood in East Baltimore, where her Polish Immigrant parents owned a bakery. Her early career as a social worker and a grassroots cause - stopping the construction of highway slated to run through a neighborhood - launched her political career. Today she lives in the Fells Point neighborhood where the highway would have stood.
• As one of the more vocal and colorful Senators, Mikulski champions several arguably liberal causes. The Junior Senator was a early supporter of AmeriCorps. And despite criticism from fellow Democrats, she has been the Senate's chief supporter of the manned NASA space station, Freedom.
• In supporting the Welfare Reform Act of 1996, she questioned whether children would be better off, but said the system needed, "a big wake up call."
• Mikulski was the first member of Congress to visit the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, where thirty-four women filed sexual assault charges against instructors. Supporting these women was natural based on her admonishment of Adm. Frank Kelso and support for Anita Hill.
• In 1992, Mikulski easily defeated then-future Presidential candidate, Alan Keyes carrying 71% in her bid for re-election.
• Mikulski was elected as Caucus Secretary in 1994 and 1996. She sits on the Appropriations and Labor & Human Resources committees.
• Mikulski is the shortest member of Congress at 4 feet, 11 inche. In a '92 campaign ad, Washington Bullets Coach Wes Unseld towered over Mikulski and advised, "When you pick players, height isn't the only thing that counts."
• With MaryLouise Oates, wife of media consultant Bob Shrum, she wrote a mystery novel, Capitol Offense, featuring a freshman Senator from Pennsylvania.