When you look at the state of the economy right now, you have to set a priority. And my top priority is the deficit of jobs and economic growth, and especially this perception that the United States could be falling behind especially Asian economies.

After getting his masters degree Kirk taught for one year at a private school in London. "
In discussing problems in the educational system early in his congressional career Kirk addressed the brevity of his teaching career: “I did leave the teaching profession but if we had addressed some of the teacher development issues which I want to raise with you I might have stayed. The money was originally rejected by the state of Florida but reallocated to Illinois.

In January 2012 Kirk suffered a stroke; he has been hospitalized and his physicians expect long-term physical impairments but not cognitive ones. Born in Champaign Illinois he graduated from Cornell University the London School of Economics and Georgetown University Law Center.