Former California Congressman Pete Stark dies at 88

[RandySF]

Former California Congressman Pete Stark died Friday at his home in Maryland, his family said. He was 88.

Even before he ran for Congress, launching a political career that would stretch for 40 years, Stark established himself as an audacious, forward-thinking, and sometimes divisive figure.

Working as a banker in the 1950s and ‘60s, he took stances that seemed radical at the time, but resonate today: Stark provided free employee childcare and worker buses, making it easier his largely African American employee force at the Oakland branch to get promotions and move to branches in Walnut Creek.




https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Former-California-Congressman-Pete-Stark-dies-at-15003285.php

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I remember him. May he rest in peace.

[Hekate]

2. RIP, sir

[rurallib]

3. Wasn't he the first (and AFAIK) only out atheist in congress?

And a quick Google confirms it.
I remember when reading about it I thought he was fairly courageous to come out.

[hvn_nbr_2]

4. He was my rep for awhile. Probably my favorite rep ever. nt

[musette_sf]

5. Pete was my rep when I first moved out of Texas

and I was SOOOO grateful to be able to (1) vote (2) for a Democrat and (3) for an atheist (4) that WON ELECTIONS.

After Hot Tub Aficionado/Convicted Money Launderer/Celebrity Dancer Tom DeLay, it was a wonderful feeling.

RIP Rep Stark, you renewed my faith in our Constitution.