Ruth M. Kirk

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This article is about the Maryland politician. For other uses, see Ruth Kirk (disambiguation).
Ruth M. Kirk
1ruth kirk.JPG
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 44th district
In office
January 1995 – January 2011
Succeeded byKeiffer J. Mitchell, Jr.
ConstituencyBaltimore City
Maryland House of Delegates
(39th District)
In office
1983–1995
Succeeded by(redistricting)
Personal details
Born(1930-02-02)February 2, 1930
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
DiedJune 17, 2011(2011-06-17) (aged 81)
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Arthur F. Kirk II
ChildrenSix children
ResidenceBaltimore, Maryland

Ruth M. Kirk (February 2, 1930 – June 17, 2011)[1] was an American politician who represented the 44th legislative district in the Maryland House of Delegates.[2] She was elected 7 times and served a total of 28 years representing west and west central Baltimore.

Background[]

Born Ruth Simmons in Baltimore, Delegate Kirk was the fifth of eight children. She attended Baltimore City public schools through the ninth grade and later received a GED. Prior to being elected to The Maryland General Assembly, Kirk held jobs as a house cleaner and in early childhood education. In 1970, Kirk took a job at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (Baltimore, Maryland), working as a teacher's aide.[3]

In the Legislature[]

Kirk was first elected in 1982 and sworn in as a member of House of Delegates on January 12, 1983. She was appointed to the Constitutional and Administrative Law Committee and served on it until its elimination in 1990. She was then appointed to the Economic Matters Committee where she served until 2011. There, she served on its deathcare industry work group; workers' compensation subcommittee, 1995–2003; real estate & housing subcommittee, 1999–2003; business regulation subcommittee, 2003–11; property & casualty insurance subcommittee, 2003–06). During her career in the legislature, Kirk also served as a member of the Tort and Insurance Reform Oversight Committee, 1993; the House Facilities Committee, 1993–2011; the Joint Committee on Federal Relations, 1999–2004; the Protocol Committee, 2007–11, the Liaison Work Group of the Baltimore City Delegation, the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland (formerly Maryland Black Caucus), 1983-2011 (member, nominating committee, 2000–11, redistricting committee, 2000–11; past chair, budget committee; past treasurer), the Women Legislators of Maryland, 1983-2011 (president, 1994); the Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2006–11, and the National Black Caucus of State Legislators. Outside of the legislature she was a member of the National Order of Women Legislators; and the (economic development, transportation & cultural affairs committee, 2005–11; fiscal affairs & government operations committee, 2005–11).[4]

Delegates McCoy, Kirk, Anderson and Cummings during a floor session in the Maryland House in February 1984.

Legislative notes[]

  • voted for the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007 (HB359)[5]
  • voted for the Healthy Air Act in 2006 (SB154)[6]
  • voted for slots in 2005 (HB1361)[7]
  • voted for income tax reduction in 1998 (SB750)[8]
  • voted in favor of increasing the sales tax by 20% - Tax Reform Act of 2007(HB2)[1]
  • voted in favor of prohibiting ground rents in 2007(SB106)[2]
  • voted in favor of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants in 2007 (HB6)[3]

Democratic primary election results, 2010[]

  • 2010 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – 44th District[9]
Voters to choose three: (only the top 6 finishers are shown)
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Keith E. Haynes 4859   25.9%    Won
Keiffer J. Mitchell, Jr. 4481   13.9%    Won
Melvin L. Stukes 3321   17.7%    Won
Ruth Kirk 2860   15.2%    Lost
Chris Blake 973   5.1%    Lost
Gary T. English 907   4.8%    Lost

General election results, 2006[]

  • 2006 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – 44th District[10]
Voters to choose three:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Melvin L. Stukes Dem. 13,173   34.0%    Won
Ruth M. Kirk, Dem. 12,894   33.3%    Won
Keith E. Haynes, Dem. 12,565   32.4%    Won
Other Write-Ins 129   0.3%    

References[]

  1. ^ Anderson, Jessica. "Ruth M. Kirk, former state delegate, dies at 81". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  2. ^ Ruth M. Kirk, Maryland State Delegate
  3. ^ Anderson, Jessica (2011-06-18). "Ruth M. Kirk, long-time delegate, dies". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2011-06-21.
  4. ^ "Former Delegates". Maryland Archives. Retrieved 2011-06-21.
  5. ^ BILL INFO-2007 Regular Session-HB 359
  6. ^ Vote Record 0942
  7. ^ Vote Record 0152
  8. ^ Vote Record 1229
  9. ^ "House of Delegates Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2011-03-26.
  10. ^ "House of Delegates Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2007-03-03.
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