Ernest Istook
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 5th district
In office 1993–2007
Preceded by	Mickey Edwards
Succeeded by	Mary Fallin
Born	February 11, 1950 (1950-02-11) (age 58) Fort Worth, Texas
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Judy Istook
Religion	The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon)

Ernest James Istook Jr. The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress; the other is the Senate. Oklahoma ( is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. Oklahoma's Fifth Congressional District is located in central Oklahoma and borders all of the other congressional districts (except district 1 Marvin Henry "Mickey" Edwards (born July 12, 1937) is a former Republican congressman who served Oklahoma 's 5th Mary Fallin (born December 9, 1954) is a Congresswoman from the U Events 660 BC - Traditional founding date of Japan by Emperor Jimmu. Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas and the seventeenth-largest city in the United States. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fourth largest Christian denomination in the United States and the largest and most well-known TalkMormon#Latter Day Saint vs Latter-day Saint --> Mormon (born February 11, 1950, in Fort Worth, Texas) was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district. Events 660 BC - Traditional founding date of Japan by Emperor Jimmu. Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas and the seventeenth-largest city in the United States. The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress; the other is the Senate. Oklahoma's Fifth Congressional District is located in central Oklahoma and borders all of the other congressional districts (except district 1 Currently Istook is a Distinguished Fellow at The Heritage Foundation in Washington, D. C. , and also a talk radio host.

Istook was a member of the Appropriations and the Homeland Security committees. The Committee on Appropriations is a committee of the United States House of Representatives. The US House Committee on Homeland Security is a Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives, the Lower house of Congress He was the Republican gubernatorial nominee in 2006, running against incumbent Democratic Gov. The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. Brad Henry. Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry (born July 10, 1963) is the Governor of the U Istook lost the gubernatorial race by a very wide margin, getting only 33. 5% of the vote to Henry's 66. 5%.

Early life and career

Istook's grandparents immigrated to the U. S. from Hungary through Ellis Island and spoke Hungarian at home. Hungary (Magyarország 'mɔɟɔrorsaːg) officially in English the Republic of Hungary ( Magyar Köztársaság, literally Magyar (Hungarian Republic Ellis Island, at the mouth of the Hudson River in New York Harbor He graduated from Castleberry High School in Fort Worth, Texas in 1967 and received a bachelor of arts degree from Baylor University (in Waco, Texas) in 1971. Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas and the seventeenth-largest city in the United States. Baylor University is a private, Baptist -affiliated Research University located in Waco Texas. Waco (ˈweɪkoʊ is a city in and the County seat of McLennan County, Texas. He eventually moved to Warr Acres, a suburb of Oklahoma City. Warr Acres is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the US state of Oklahoma.

He worked full time as a radio news reporter first at KOMA (now KOKC) and then at WKY in Oklahoma City while attending law school, receiving a law degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1976. WKY (930 AM) is Oklahoma 's oldest Radio station and was the first west of the Mississippi River. Oklahoma City University School of Law is a private Oklahoma university After graduation, he established his own law firm, and practiced law for 15 years.

Istook also was director of the Oklahoma State Alcoholic and Beverage Control Board (1977–1978), was legal counsel to popular Oklahoma Governor David L. Boren (1978), and was a member of the board of the Oklahoma County metropolitan library system (1982–1986), chairman of the Warr Acres city council (1982–1986), director of the Warr Acres Chamber of Commerce, and an Oklahoma state representative 1987–1993. David Lyle Boren (born April 21, 1941) is an American politician from the state of Oklahoma. A chamber of commerce (also referred to in some circles as a board of trade) is a form of Business network.

U. S. House of Representatives

1992 election

In the 1992 Republican primary, Istook challenged and defeated incumbent Deputy House Minority Whip Mickey Edwards in a three-way primary that also featured former federal prosecutor Bill Price. A whip in the United States House of Representatives is a member of the party leadership who comes second in line after the party's Floor leader, which Marvin Henry "Mickey" Edwards (born July 12, 1937) is a former Republican congressman who served Oklahoma 's 5th Bill Price can refer to Bill Price (record producer Bill Price (footballer Bill Price (businessman Both Istook and Price used Edwards' involvement in the House banking scandal to chip away at his support. The House banking scandal broke in early 1992 when it was revealed that the United States House of Representatives allowed members to overdraw their House checking ^[1]

Istook's primary victory was tantamount to election in the Oklahoma City-based 5th District, which is considered the most Republican district in the state. He was elected six more times without serious opposition.

Although Istook lives in Warr Acres, he was listed on the House roll as "R-Oklahoma City. "

Political views

Istook is pro-life. Overview See also Ethical aspects of abortion Pro-life individuals generally believe that human life should be valued either from conception or Implantation He opposes abortion, and does not support federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. An Istook supports the position that abortion should be prohibited except when the mother's life is in danger. Istook opposes gay marriage and the adoption of children into same-sex homes. Same-sex marriage (also referred to as gay marriage) is a term for a legally or Socially recognized Marriage between two people of the same He favors a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Istook favors a constitutional amendment to restrict burning the U. S. flag.

Istook introduced the Religious Freedom Amendment, a Constitutional Amendment to permit school prayer, in 1995 and (slightly modified) in 1997. ^[2] On June 4, 1998 the House voted 224-203, with 7 abstentions, in favor of it, but it failed as a Constitutional amendment, needing a 2/3 majority to pass. Events 781 BC - The first historic Solar eclipse is recorded in China. Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) He reintroduced it in 1999,^[3] and again with different text in 2001, renamed the Religious Speech Amendment,^[4] and in 2003 . ^[5] The other efforts did not make it out of the House Subcommittee on the Constitution.

Istook opposes more federal funds for health coverage and supports the creation of personal accounts within Social Security. Social Security, in the United States currently refers to the federal Old-Age Survivors and Disability Insurance ( OASDI) program He supports the Bush Administration's tax cuts and want to make those permanent. The Presidency of George W Bush began on his inauguration on January 20, 2001 as the 43rd and current President of the United States of America He favors expansion of free trade; he voted in favor of CAFTA. Free trade is a system in which the trade of goods and services between or within countries flows unhindered by government-imposed restrictions He wants the U. S. to withdraw from the World Trade Organization, wants the end of the estate tax, and supported Normal Trade Relations with the People’s Republic of China to be made permanent. Estate tax and Death duty redirect here Inheritance tax, estate tax and death duty are the names given to various taxes which Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES

Istook voted to make the USA PATRIOT Act permanent and supports intelligence gathering by the military. The USA PATRIOT Act, commonly known as the Patriot Act, is a controversial Act of Congress that U Istook favors military recruiting on college campuses that receive federal aid. Istook stands behind the Bush Administration and its handling of the War in Iraq and supports higher Defense Department funding. The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign The United States Department of Defense ( DOD or DoD) is the federal department charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government

Istook does not support a U. S. ratification of the Kyoto Protocol nor heavy taxpayer subsidies for alternative fuel sources. The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the international Framework Convention on Climate Change with the objective of reducing Greenhouse gases in an effort He supports drilling in ANWR. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge ( ANWR) is a National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern Alaska.

Transit Funding Controversies

Istook is against the current federal funding level for Amtrak. The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Doing business as Amtrak, is a Government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971 For several years, he chaired the subcommittee on Treasury, Transportation, and Special Agencies, which oversaw transportation funding. In 2004, Istook denied special transportation funding (earmarks) requests for districts of 21 Republican House members because the other Republicans had written a letter supporting of funding of $1. 8 billion for Amtrak. Istook took the view that their request for major funding increases for Amtrak took precedence over their requests for their districts, and viewed those requests as trying to "double-dip" into the Treasury. ^[6] Istook lost the chairmanship in 2005, in large part because others in the Republican party were still upset over his handling of this issue.

Istook introduced language into an FY2004 federal spending bill that would cut funding for transit authorities that sponsored advertisements contradicting current government policies and laws regarding marijuana. Judge Paul L. Friedman of the U. S. District Court for the District of Columbia later ruled that the "Istook Amendment", as it came to be known, was an unconstitutional on grounds that it violated the First Amendment, stating "the government articulated no legitimate state interest in the suppression of this particular speech other than the fact that it disapproves of the message, an illegitimate and constitutionally impermissible reason. "^[7]

Jack Abramoff

Istook received $29,000 in campaign contributions from Abramoff and some of his clients. The Jack Abramoff Indian lobbying scandal is a United States political scandal relating to the work performed by political lobbyists Jack Abramoff, The Jack Abramoff Guam investigation involves an alleged plot by lobbyist Jack Abramoff and others to control the functions of the courts in Guam. The Jack Abramoff CNMI scandal involves the efforts of Jack Abramoff, other lobbyists, and government officials to change or prevent or both Congressional action The Internet Gambling Prohibition Act (IGPA was a 1999 bill in the US Senate to ban Internet gambling The monetary influence of Jack Abramoff ran deep in Washington as Jack Abramoff spent millions of dollars to influence and entertain Republican politicians SunCruz Casinos is one of many cruise lines that offer "cruises to nowhere" legally transporting passengers into International waters beyond the reach of Jack Abramoff (born February 28 1959 is a former Lobbyist, and a businessman who was a central figure in a series of high-profile political scandals. John Albaugh is a former Republican Congressional staffer who was the fourteenth person found guilty in the Jack Abramoff scandals. Robert Jared Carpenter was the vice president of the Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy beginning in 2000 Robert E Coughlin, II is an American Lawyer and was formerly the Deputy Chief of Staff Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice. Italia Federici (born August 12, 1969) the former president of the Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy (CREA James Steven "Steve" Griles (born December 13, 1947) was a Coal lobbyist and the Deputy Secretary for the U William Heaton (born 1979 is the former chief of staff for former Rep Adam Kidan is a former business associate of convicted Lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who partnered with Abramoff in the purchase of SunCruz Casinos. Robert William "Freedom Bob" Ney (born July 5 1954) is an American politician from the U Tony Charles Rudy (born May 3, 1966) an American Lobbyist and an associate of Jack Abramoff. Michael Scanlon is a former communications director for Rep Tom DeLay, Lobbyist, and Public relations executive who has plead guilty to corruption charges Roger G Stillwell (born October 13, 1939) an American Lobbyist. Neil Volz was Chief of Staff to Representative Bob Ney (R-Ohio staff director of the House Administration Committee and later part of Team Abramoff, when he left Mark Zachares is a former Congressional aide to Rep Don Young (R-AK and lobbyist who pleaded guilty to accepting tens of thousands of dollars in gifts from lobbyist David Hossein Safavian (born August 4, 1967) is a former chief of staff of the United States General Services Administration (GSA and a figure in Edwin A Buckham is a former congressional staffer and lobbyist who presently is under investigation in various scandals surrounding high-profile lobbyist Jack Abramoff Thomas Dale DeLay (born April 8 1947 is a former member of the United States House of Representatives from Sugar Land, Texas. Thomas Charles "Tom" Feeney III usually known as Tom Feeney (born May 21 1958) is a Republican politician from the state of Kevin A Ring was a Lobbyist and Republican Congressional staffer "Team Abramoff" is the team of lobbyists assembled by Jack Abramoff when he worked at Greenberg Traurig, primarily of former aides to prominent Congressional Konstantinos "Gus" Boulis ( 1949 - February 6 2001) was a land-developer casino operator and restaurant owner of Greek descent who was murdered Grover Glenn Norquist (born October 19, 1956) is president of anti- Tax Lobbying group Americans for Tax Reform. Susan Bonzon Ralston (born October 15 1967) is the President of SBR Enterprises LLC a government affairs public relations and business consulting firm in Ralph Eugene Reed Jr, (born June 24, 1961) is a conservative American political activist best known as the first executive director of Rev Louis P "Lou" Sheldon (born 1934 in Washington DC Robert Warren "Bob" Schaffer (born July 24, 1962) was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from the Jack Abramoff 's career brought him into contact with numerous organizations including lobbying firms restaurants Think tanks and charitable organizations Several Native American tribes were defrauded by Lobbyist Jack Abramoff in his namesake Indian lobbying scandal. The following is a list of trips for politicians lobbyists and staffers funded by Jack Abramoff. 1980s 1981 - Elected Chairman of the College Republican National Committee in a campaign managed by Grover Norquist, the executive director of the Istook wrote letters urging the Bush administration to reject a casino proposal that Abramoff's clients opposed. On January 9, 2006, Istook announced he would give $23,000 in Abramoff-related money that was donated to his re-election campaign or his PAC to the Boy Scouts of America. This is in addition to $6,000 in Abramoff-related donations given to to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in December 2005. The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF located in Oklahoma City Oklahoma is an independent nonprofit biomedical Research institute. ^[8] His congressional campaign paid back $5,126 to Abramoff's Sports Suites LLC, for the use in 2003 of skyboxes by the congressman for an American Idol concert and a Washington Redskins game. The monetary influence of Jack Abramoff ran deep in Washington as Jack Abramoff spent millions of dollars to influence and entertain Republican politicians American Idol, with the full title American Idol The Search for a Superstar for the first season only is an American reality-competition The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team based in the Washington D Istook has denied any connection between the donations and his activities, saying in 2006, "I barely knew the man. "^[9]

Istook is identified in documents filed in June 2008 against his former chief of staff, John Albaugh, as "Representative 4. John Albaugh is a former Republican Congressional staffer who was the fourteenth person found guilty in the Jack Abramoff scandals. " According to the documents, Istook called Abramoff in 2003 to thank him in advance for use of one of Abramoff's FedEx Field skyboxes for a fundraising event. Istook asked Abramoff which projects his clients wanted in the upcoming transportation bill. The government filing refers to an Abramoff e-mail saying Istook "had basically asked what we want in the transportation bill," and telling his colleagues at Greenberg Traurig to "make sure we load up our entire Christmas list. Greenberg Traurig LLP is an international Law firm with approximately 1800 Attorneys and governmental professionals in 30 locations in the United States " Four of Kevin A. Ring's clients later received at least $1 million each in the transportation bill. Kevin A Ring was a Lobbyist and Republican Congressional staffer ^[10]

On June 2, 2008, Albaugh plead guilty to one count of corruption and conspiracy. Events 455 - The Vandals enter Rome, and plunder the city for two weeks According to plea documents, Albaugh received as part of the conspiracy more than $4,000 worth of sporting event tickets, concert tickets (including tickets to George Strait and Tim McGraw)^[11] and meals. George Harvey Strait (born May 18, 1952) is an American Country music singer Samuel Timothy "Tim" McGraw (born May 1, 1967) is an American country Singer and actor Albaugh also admitted that, as part of this corrupt relationship, he secured from Kevin A. Ring, Abramoff, Greenberg Traurig, and their clients the use of suites at professional sporting events and facilities and catering at Signatures Restaurant, the costs of which were not timely reimbursed or disclosed as "in kind" campaign contributions in required filings with the Federal Election Commission. Kevin A Ring was a Lobbyist and Republican Congressional staffer Greenberg Traurig LLP is an international Law firm with approximately 1800 Attorneys and governmental professionals in 30 locations in the United States Signatures Restaurant is the Washington DC Restaurant opened by Jack Abramoff at 801 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in 2002 mere steps from the United States ^[12]

Ratings

• 0% by NARAL
• 92% by the Christian Coalition
• 100% by the Federation for American Immigration Reform
• 0% by SANE
• 0% by League of Conservation Voters
• 63% by National Taxpayers Union
• Ranked A by National Rifle Association
• 40% by Coalition on Urban Renewal and Education
• 17% by National Education Association
• 0% Oklahoma Passenger Rail Association

2006 gubernatorial race

Main article: Oklahoma gubernatorial election, 2006

Oklahoma gubernatorial election 2006 results map. NARAL Pro-Choice America (pronounced "NAY-ral" is a Pro-choice organization in the United States that engages in political action to oppose restrictions For other organizations with a similar name see Christian Coalition. The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR is a non-partisan non-profit 501(c(3 educational organization in the United States that advocates changes The League of Conservation Voters (LCV is a political advocacy organization that was founded in 1969 by American Environmentalist David Brower. National Taxpayers Union (NTU is a taxpayers advocacy organization in the United States, founded in 1969 by James Dale Davidson. The National Rifle Association, or NRA, is a non-profit ( 501(c(4) group dedicated to the protection of the Second Amendment of the The Coalition on Urban Renewal and Education or CURE is an organization founded by Star Parker in 1995 to "jump start national dialogue on issues of race and The National Education Association ( NEA) is the largest professional organization in the United States, representing Public school Teachers and The Oklahoma gubernatorial election of 2006 was held on November 7, 2006, and was a race for the Governor of Oklahoma. Red denotes counties won by Ernest Istook, Blue denotes those won by Brad Henry. Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry (born July 10, 1963) is the Governor of the U

Istook announced he would run for governor of Oklahoma against Democratic incumbent Brad Henry on October 3, 2005. Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry (born July 10, 1963) is the Governor of the U Events 42 BC - First Battle of Philippi: Triumvirs Mark Antony and Octavian fight an indecisive battle with Caesar's Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[13] He was immediately the consensus frontrunner for the nomination, as a seven-term incumbent U. S. Representative whose district covered most of the Oklahoma City area, the state's largest media market.

In the July 2006 primary, Istook got 55% of the vote to become the Republican nominee. Oil businessman Bob Sullivan was second with 31 percent of the vote. Robert J Sullivan Jr (born September 8 1945 in Decatur Illinois is a politician from Oklahoma and a Republican candidate in the 2006 Oklahoma gubernatorial ^[14]

Henry and Istook faced each other in the November general election after a heated campaign. Henry defeated Istook, gathering 66. 5% of the total vote — the biggest landslide in an Oklahoma governor's race in almost half a century. Istook carried three counties; Beaver, Cimarron and Texas, all counties in Oklahoma's far western panhandle. ^[15][16]

Istook's campaign was managed by campaign manager Chip Englander, a fast rising political operative from California. National media attention was attracted when it turned out that Jordan Edmund, one of the campaign's workers from California, had been one of the congressional pages who received unwelcome attention in the Mark Foley scandal. The Mark Foley scandal, which broke in late September 2006 centers on soliciting E-mails and sexually explicit instant messages sent by Mark ^[17]

Personal

Ernest Istook is a Distinguished Fellow at The Heritage Foundation and host of the conservative think tank's radio show. The Heritage Foundation is an American conservative Think tank. Conservatism is a term used to describe political philosophies that favour Tradition, where tradition refers to various religious cultural or nationally defined The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute - a think tank - whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. The Heritage Foundation is an American conservative Think tank. A think tank (also called a policy institute) is an organization institute corporation or group that conducts Research and engages in advocacy in areas such ^[18]

In 2008, Istook was appointed to the National Advisory Board for the national children's charity Operation Kids. Operation Kids is a public 501(c(3 Nonprofit organization dedicated to making giving more effective as it pertains to children and their needs

Istook and his wife Judy (whom he married in 1973) have five children (two sons and three daughters) and seven grandchildren. Istook, who comes from a Southern Baptist background, is now a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fourth largest Christian denomination in the United States and the largest and most well-known He and his wife lived in Warr Acres, a suburb of Oklahoma City.

Electoral history

References

External links

• Istook for Governor 2006
• Voting record maintained by the Washington Post