Thomas Richard Harkin is born in Cumming, Iowa, in Warren County. His dad is a coal miner and his mom is a Slovenian immigrant. His family would grow to include five siblings.
Graduates Dowling High School in Des Moines and earns a Navy ROTC scholarship.
Gets bachelor’s degree in government and economics from Iowa State University and joins Navy. He would serve as a jet pilot until 1967 and then fly in the Naval Reserves.
Marries Ruth Raduenz, a Minnesota native. They would have two daughters. She later would serve on the Iowa Board of Regents.
Joins the staff of U.S. Rep. Neal Smith, D-Iowa. Harkin would travel to South Vietnam with a congressional delegation. His photos of a prison camp gained attention after being published in Life Magazine.
Graduates with law degree from Catholic University of America in Washington and moves back to Iowa, where he works as an attorney for Polk County Legal Aid. He runs for Congress and is defeated. As part of his campaign, he holds a steak fry – an event that would become Harkin’s signature fundraiser for decades.
Elected to U.S. House. He would spent 10 years in the House, which includes a position on the Agriculture Committee.
Defeats U.S. Sen. Roger Jepsen, R-Iowa. He is reelected in 1990, 1996, 2002 and 2008.
Introduces Americans with Disabilities Act. President George Bush signs it into law a year later. The legislation protects the civil rights of more than 54 million Americans with physical and mental disabilities.
Announces run for president. He ends the campaign about a year later, with President Bill Clinton winning the nomination.
Becomes chairman of Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. He would later play a major role in the writing of the Affordable Care Act .
Harkin says he will not seek another term in the Senate. The surprise announcement created a rare open U.S. Senate seat, touching off intense competition. State Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Red Oak, eventually won the seat over U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Waterloo, who had support from Harkin.
His final steak fry is held in Indianola. Over 37 steak fries, the event has become a must-stop for political candidates. The final guests are Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton.
Harkin to retire from Senate, following 40 years in Washington.
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