Gutierrez Welcomes Senator Kirk Back to Washington on Behalf of Illinois Delegation

Statement

Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL), the dean of the Illinois House delegation, issued the following statement on the occasion of Sen. Mark Kirk's return to the U.S. Senate after suffering a stroke in 2012.

"As the Senior Member of the House of Representatives from Illinois, I would like to welcome Senator Mark Kirk back to Capitol Hill on behalf of the entire delegation. His triumphant return to the Senate is an inspiration to all of us.

"The stroke that laid him low in 2012 was not enough to deter him from his elected duties and we are proud of him for returning to the Senate. In case there were any doubts, the State of Illinois is now fully and completely represented in Washington.

"Sen. Kirk has been a leader for Illinois and for the nation on issues as diverse as child sex trafficking, roads and infrastructure for Chicago and Illinois and the region, and preserving the Great Lakes.

"We are all grateful that Sen. Kirk is back among us."

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