Sen. Tammy Duckworth: ... And in the years since, he has helped lead the effort to end sexual assault on campuses across ... Tammy Duckworth Tammy Duckworth is a United States Senator … She is the member of Democratic Party and is also a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel. [92] At the 2020 convention she called President Trump "coward-in-chief" for not supporting the American military.[93][94]. [105], Duckworth participated in the 2016 Chris Murphy gun control filibuster. I have called her a hero hundreds of times. Duckworth, along with her husband Bryan, are the parents of two daughters, Abigail and Maile. [12] She graduated from the University of Hawaii in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and later received a Master of Arts in international affairs from George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs. [71] Duckworth and Kamala Harris, who was also elected in 2016, are the second and third female Asian American senators, after Mazie Hirono who was elected in 2012. After former Illinois senator Barack Obama became president, Duckworth became assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2009–11). Updates? Some issues noted by the audit predated Duckworth's tenure. Duckworth is the junior senator from Illinois and is a Democrat. Our true heroes, the men and women who served us, it's the last thing in the world they talk about." [11] Her father worked with the United Nations and international companies in refugee, housing, and development programs,[12] and the family moved around Southeast Asia. She was vetted as a possible running mate during Joe Biden's vice presidential candidate selection. [35] The lawsuit alleged that she wrongfully terminated one employee and threatened and intimidated another for bringing reports of abuse and misconduct of veterans when she was head of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. She skipped 9th grade. [82][84], On April 15, 2020, the Trump administration invited Duckworth to join a bipartisan task force on the reopening of the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She was previously the representative for Illinois ’s 8 th congressional district as a Democrat from 2013 to 2016. She then served as the state’s director of the Department of Veteran Affairs (2006–09). [27] She was the first American female double amputee from the Iraq War. [99], In October 2006, The Sunday Times reported that Duckworth agreed with General Sir Richard Dannatt, the British Army chief, that the presence of coalition troops was exacerbating the conflict in Iraq. ... Photo: Courtesy of Senator Tammy Duckworth. Go ahead, take a shot at me.” She was elected by a broad margin, making her the first U.S. senator born in Thailand. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, along with her husband Bryan, are the parents of two daughters, Abigail and Maile. Experts have called Sen. Tammy Duckworth a "safe" choice for Biden, but some aren't convinced that she's the right pick in a political landscape that has been suddenly altered by … Kirk responded, "I'd forgotten that your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington." Senator Mark Kirk for his seat in the 2016 Senate election in Illinois. She was a Girl Scout, and earned her First Class, now called the Gold Award[16]. [3] Despite her grievous injuries, she sought and obtained a medical waiver that allowed her to continue serving in the Illinois Army National Guard until she retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2014. She completed a PhD in human services at Capella University in March 2015. [29], In 2011 the Daughters of the American Revolution erected a statue with Duckworth's likeness and that of Molly Pitcher in Mount Vernon, Illinois. [89][90][91] She was the permanent co-chair of the 2020 Democratic National Convention. [100], Duckworth supports continued U.S. military aid to Israel and opposes the movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel. Duckworth said that Barrett's membership in such an organization was "disqualifying and, frankly, insulting to every parent". [9] Her mother is Thai Chinese[10] and originally from Chiang Mai. [127], In August 2020, Duckworth told NPR in an interview that she is homeschooling her children due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [51], In July 2011, Duckworth launched her campaign to run in 2012 for Illinois's 8th congressional district. She has served since Jan 3, 2017. [82][84], Duckworth served in the Illinois Army National Guard along with her husband, Major Bryan W. Bowlsbey, a signal officer and fellow Iraq War veteran. Duckworth is next up for reelection in 2022 and serves until Jan 3, 2023. [25], Duckworth was working toward a Ph.D. in political science at Northern Illinois University, with research interests in the political economy and public health in southeast Asia, when she was deployed to Iraq in 2004. [104] Duckworth, who is a gun owner herself, cites violence in Chicago as a major influence for her support of gun control. Duckworth is the second of three Asian American women to serve in the U.S. Senate, after Mazie Hirono, and before Kamala Harris. Tammy Duckworth, (born March 12, 1968, Bangkok, Thailand), American politician who was elected to the U.S. Senate as a Democrat in 2016 and began representing Illinois the following year. [103], Duckworth was rated by the National Rifle Association as having a pro-gun control congressional voting record. Both have since retired from the armed forces. NEW YORK (AP) — Sen. Tammy Duckworth has written a memoir, “Every Day Is a Gift,” which comes out March 30. [46] Duckworth resigned her position in June 2011 in order to launch her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Illinois's 8th congressional district. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. She also stated that she believed moderate Republicans, who support common sense gun control, would have more power to influence gun control if they were not "pushed aside by those folks who are absolutely beholden to the NRA. Both of Duckworth's children were conceived by IVF. [33], On September 17, 2008, Duckworth attended a campaign event for Dan Seals, the Democratic candidate for Illinois's 10th congressional district. Contributing Editor, Encyclopædia Britannica; Literary Critic. Duckworth won the Democratic primary with a plurality of 44%, defeating 2004 nominee Christine Cegelis with 40%, and Wheaton College professor Lindy Scott with 16%. Later in 2020 Duckworth was under consideration as a running mate for Biden, but he ultimately selected Kamala Harris. [60] Duckworth defeated Kaifesh with 56% of the vote. He assailed her for adhering to the Democratic line, to which she memorably replied, “These legs are titanium. She was the first female double amputee from the war. The next election for this seat of Senator in the State […] [62], On April 3, 2013, Duckworth publicly returned 8.4% ($1,218) of her congressional salary for that month to the United States Department of Treasury in solidarity with furloughed government workers. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). She's making history! She defeated former Deputy Treasurer of Illinois Raja Krishnamoorthi for the Democratic nomination on March 20, 2012, then faced incumbent Republican Joe Walsh in the general election. There her helicopter was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade, and Duckworth lost both her legs and almost lost her right arm, which was saved after a 13-hour-long emergency surgery. Most notably the Purple Heart, an award her marine father had also received. "[74] GovTrack also found that in the first session of the 116th Congress, Duckworth ranked first in favorably reporting bills out of committee and "Got influential cosponsors the most often compared to Senate sophomores. Ladda Tammy Duckworth (born March 12, 1968) is an American politician and retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel serving as the junior United States Senator from Illinois since 2017. As per a source, Tammy's net worth in 2014 was $484,025 , while in 2018, her wealth was around $698,000 . State Senator Peter Roskam was unopposed in the Republican primary. [108], Duckworth supports comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship for those in the country illegally. Civil Rights, Criminal Justice Reform and Gun Safety Senator Duckworth spent 23 years in the Reserve Forces defending and supporting American values, including the civil rights of all Americans that have helped our people build the greatest nation the world has ever seen. [123][124] Former senator Daniel Akaka helped the couple with the naming of both daughters; Akaka died April 6, 2018, three days before Maile was born. [73], GovTrack's Report Card on Duckworth for the 115th Congress found that among Senate freshmen, she ranked first in favorably reporting bills out of committee and "Got influential cosponsors the most often compared to Senate freshmen. She supports universal background checks and the halting of state-to-state gun trafficking. 620 through the Senate. She graduated (1989) from the University of Hawaii, then took a master’s degree (1992) in international affairs at George Washington University, where she joined the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). But equal access has long been a core issue for Senator Duckworth. She previously was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (2013–17). By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The family lived in Thailand and Singapore before relocating to Hawaii when she was 16. Her father was unemployed for a time, and the family relied on public assistance. Duckworth was educated at the University of Hawaii and George Washington University. Barrett, a devout Catholic, is a member of a group that considers in vitro fertilization morally illicit. [19] Duckworth also worked as a staff supervisor at Rotary International headquarters in Evanston, Illinois[23][24] and was the coordinator of the Center for Nursing Research at Northern Illinois University. [79], In January 2018, when the federal government shut down after the Senate could not agree on a funding bill, Duckworth responded to President Trump's accusations that the Democrats were putting "unlawful immigrants" ahead of the military: .mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 40px}.mw-parser-output .templatequote .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;padding-left:1.6em;margin-top:0}, I spent my entire adult life looking out for the well-being, the training, the equipping of the troops for whom I was responsible. [43], On February 3, 2009, Duckworth was nominated by President Barack Obama to be the Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2004, after her helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired by Iraqi insurgents, she suffered severe combat wounds, which caused her to lose both of her legs and some mobility in her right arm. 620", "PVA announces Senator Duckworth as recipient of 2019 Gordon Mansfield Congressional Leadership Award", "Duckworth slams Trump: I won't be lectured on military needs by a 'five-deferment draft dodger, "Tammy Duckworth Becomes First U.S. In 2018, after giving birth to Maile, Duckworth became the first senator to Duckworth, along with her husband Bryan, are the parents of two daughters, Abigail and Maile. "[55], On November 6, 2012, Duckworth defeated Walsh 55%–45%,[56] making her the first Asian-American from Illinois in Congress,[57] the first woman with a disability elected to Congress,[58] and the first member of Congress born in Thailand. [125] Shortly after Maile's birth, a Senate rule change permitted senators to bring children under one year old on the Senate floor to breastfeed. Prior to assuming this role, Tammy had prior experience as a Nonprofit staff manager. She received a Purple Heart for … [128], CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, 2006 Illinois's 6th congressional district election, 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois § District 8, 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois § District 8, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care and Entitlements, Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Job Creation and Regulatory Affairs, Subcommittee on Transportation and Public Assets, United States House Select Committee on Benghazi, 2016 United States Senate election in Illinois, Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security, Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance and Data Security, Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security, Committee on Environment and Public Works, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife, Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, United States Secretary of Homeland Security, List of Asian Americans and Pacific Islands Americans in the United States Congress, List of United States Senators born outside the United States, Women in the United States House of Representatives, "ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์ให้แก่ชาวต่างประเทศ (พันตรีหญิง ลัดดา แทมมี ดั๊กเวิร์ด)", https://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/story/loc.natlib.afc2001001.70507/, "Unseen: Trailblazing Military Women Forced To Fight For Recognition, Equal Treatment", "Tammy Duckworth Takes Back Obama's Illinois Senate Seat For Democrats", "Tammy Duckworth Is Auditioning to Be Biden's Running Mate", "Qualifications for President and the "Natural Born" Citizenship Eligibility Requirement", "Downed pilot finally hears uplifting words she awaited", "Pilot flew Black Hawks to serve her country – and please her father", "Yes, Tammy Duckworth's Family Has Served in the Military for Centuries", "Nobody Puts Tammy Duckworth in a Corner", "US Senator is a woman who speaks Thai – Tammy Duckworth visits Thailand to foster American ties", "Duckworth reaches pinnacle of Senate nearly 12 years to day after Iraq crash", "Mau Sekolah Gratis di JIS? 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