Dick Durbin, born on November 21, 1944 in Illinois, is a prominent American politician who currently serves as a US Senator from Illinois. He has had a long and successful career in politics, rising to become the Senate Majority Whip, the second highest position in the Democratic Party leadership in the Senate, in 2007.
Dick Durbin earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 1969. Following his graduation, he worked as the legal counsel to Lieutenant Governor Paul Simon from 1969 to 1972. It was during this time that Durbin began to make a name for himself in the Illinois political scene.
Dick Durbin's political career really took off when he was elected to the US Senate in 1996. Since then, he has been a strong advocate for a wide range of progressive causes, including healthcare reform, immigration reform, and gun control.
One of Durbin's noteworthy accomplishments was being one of the first politicians to introduce a bill into the House that would ban cigarette smoking on airplanes. This legislation was ultimately successful and has had a lasting impact on public health.
Aside from his political career, Dick Durbin is also a devoted family man. He has been married to his wife Loretta Schaefer for many years, and together they have three children. Durbin has often spoken about the importance of family values and how they have influenced his work in politics.
Throughout his time in office, Dick Durbin has been a tireless advocate for the people of Illinois and the United States as a whole. He has worked to pass legislation that benefits working families, protects the environment, and promotes equality and justice for all.
One of Durbin's most notable moments came when he urged former Governor Rod Blagojevich to resign and not name a successor to Barack Obama following Blagojevich's arrest. Despite Durbin's advice, Blagojevich did not listen to him, leading to a political scandal that shook Illinois politics.
Overall, Dick Durbin has left a lasting impact on American politics and has earned a reputation as a principled and dedicated public servant.