Carl Levin
Full Name and Common Aliases
Carl Milton Levin
Carl Levin was known by his nickname "Senator Carl" to many Americans.
Birth and Death Dates
June 28, 1934 – March 29, 2021
Carl Levin lived a long and storied life that spanned almost eight decades.
Nationality and Profession(s)
American Senator
Throughout his career, Carl Levin worked as a senator for the state of Michigan from 1979 to 2015. He also served in the United States House of Representatives from 1965 to 1977.
Early Life and Background
Carl Milton Levin was born on June 28, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan, to Jewish parents Bessie (née Singer) and Frank D. Levin. Carl's father owned a printing business, while his mother was a homemaker. Levin grew up in a family that valued education and civic engagement.
Growing up during the Great Depression had a profound impact on young Carl. His early life experiences shaped his commitment to public service and social justice issues. Levin attended Central High School in Detroit before enrolling at Swarthmore College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956. He then went on to earn a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1959.
Major Accomplishments
Carl Levin's impressive career was marked by numerous significant accomplishments. Some notable achievements include:
Chairing the Senate Armed Services Committee: From 2007 to 2015, Levin led the committee that oversaw the nation's defense policies and budget.
Supporting the Recovery Act: In 2009, Levin played a key role in passing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which helped stimulate the economy during the Great Recession.
Investigating Wall Street Practices: As chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Levin led high-profile investigations into financial institutions and their roles in the 2008 economic crisis.Notable Works or Actions
Carl Levin's notable works and actions are a testament to his commitment to public service. Some key examples include:
Authoring the Levin-Packard Act: In 2010, Levin co-authored this legislation with Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA), which aimed to prevent government contractors from using taxpayer dollars for lobbying activities.
* Leading the Senate's Investigation into the Iraq War: From 2007 to 2008, Levin led a bipartisan investigation into the Bush administration's decision-making process regarding the Iraq War. The report highlighted key flaws in the planning and execution of the conflict.
Impact and Legacy
Carl Levin's impact on American politics is still felt today. His tireless efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and social justice have inspired countless individuals to pursue careers in public service.
As a senator, Levin was known for his willingness to work across party lines to pass legislation that benefited his constituents. He also demonstrated a commitment to protecting vulnerable populations, including veterans and low-income families.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Carl Levin is widely quoted and remembered because of his dedication to public service and social justice issues. His legacy serves as a model for politicians seeking to make a positive impact on their communities.
Levin's commitment to transparency and accountability has made him a respected voice in American politics. He will be remembered as a champion of working-class Americans and a strong advocate for responsible government practices.
Quotes by Carl Levin
I am 100 percent supportive of the stand-alone bill to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell' that Sens. Lieberman and Collins have now proposed, and indeed I will co-sponsor that legislation. It is time for this discriminatory policy to end, and I am willing to pursue any effective legislative path that could lead to that result.
We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandated of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them.
Dr. Rice's record on Iraq gives me great concern. In her public statements she clearly overstated and exaggerated the intelligence concerning Iraq before the war in order to support the President's decision to initiate military action against Iraq.
While it is clear that we need to make some adjustments to protect Social Security for the long term, it is disingenuous to say that the trust fund is facing a crisis.
We shouldn’t knee jerk anything. The Iraqi government a few years back, when they had a chance to sign an agreement that would keep some of our presence there, refused to do it. So we’ve got to be very careful and thoughtful before we do anything.
Sadly, the President’s budget proposal for the upcoming year once again puts cutting taxes for the wealthiest Americans over addressing our country’s severe fiscal problems.
If you like what Wall Street did for the housing market, you’ll love what Wall Street is doing for commodities, Goldman’s ability to influence any portion of the price for a key component of the industrial economy is simply unacceptable.
If our intelligence is either manipulated or if it’s shaded or if in some way it is exaggerated, it is very, very dangerous for us, particularly as we go down the road and look at other threats,.
It’s unclear how air strikes on our part can succeed unless the Iraqi army is willing to fight, and that’s uncertain given the fact that several Iraqi army divisions have melted away.