Senator Mark Kelly is an American businessman, politician, and retired Navy captain. He serves as a junior U.S. Senator from Arizona from the Democratic Party. Before assuming office in 2020, Mark was an astronaut consultant and author. He was also a naval aviator during the Gulf War.
Born as a twin in New Jersey on February 21, 1965, Mark graduated from Mountain High School at age 18. He continued with a B.Sc in Marine Engineering from the U.S Merchant Marine Academy in 1986.
Mark Kelly earned his Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1994. While working as a naval aviator, he flew combat missions during the Gulf war.
Selected as a NASA Space Shuttle pilot, Mark began his astronaut training in 1996. His first trip was as a pilot of the space shuttle Endeavour in 2001. The shuttle carried astronauts and supplies to the International Space Station.
But, Mark Kelly left NASA and the U.S. Navy after commanding the final flights of the space shuttle Endeavour. This was after an assassination attempt on his wife, Giffords. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was attacked at the Tucson shooting, resulting in serious injury in 2011.
After his retirement, Kelly co-authored a book, Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope, in 2011. He also wrote several other books after Gabby.
His identical twin Scott Kelly is also a retired astronaut; they are the only siblings to travel in space. He flew as a pilot in the first two missions and commanded the later flights of Nasa’s space program.
Kelly supports building on the Affordable Care Act to include a public health insurance option. He wants to bring things together and add new capabilities to improve the health care system.
You can learn more about Mark Kelly here.
Here’s our collection of the best Mark Kelly quotes.
Table of Contents
Mark Kelly Quotes on Politics/Power/ NASA
There’s been a lot of discussion about NASA culture and changing that. I think our culture has always been one of trying to do a very difficult job and do it well.
Mark Kelly
You look at it as a privilege. So you really decide that you’re going to put the time in and work really hard to get to the point where you’re ready.
Mark Kelly
Getting to space is not rocket science, it’s political science!
Mark Kelly
Arizona elected me to solve problems and fight for our state in the Senate — and that’s exactly what I’ve done this year. From returning money to Arizonans to passing a historic bipartisan infrastructure bill, I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished.
Mark Kelly
Water is our most important resource here in the desert, and this support I secured for Arizona will help our state upgrade our water infrastructure, clean contaminants, and expand reliable access to clean drinking water.
Mark Kelly
For years, we’ve been talking about the importance of improving our existing water infrastructure, securing Arizona’s water future, and expanding access to clean drinking water in our state. I’m proud to say AZ will soon receive support to do just that.
Mark Kelly
Wildfires tear through our state each year, and the damage doesn’t end when they’re extinguished. I secured funding in the bipartisan infrastructure bill to improve wildland firefighting efforts so we can mitigate this kind of devastation and protect communities across Arizona.
Mark Kelly
For months, I talked with local leaders across Arizona about our state’s biggest infrastructure needs — and I made sure they were represented in the bipartisan infrastructure bill.
Mark Kelly
My first space shuttle mission was twenty years ago today. I’ll never forget looking out the window and seeing our planet from space for the first time. I’m grateful I was able to do it three more times before hanging up my spacesuit in 2011.
Mark Kelly
Since I don’t take a dime of corporate PAC money, grassroots support from people is what fuels my campaign.
Mark Kelly
I’m working to get bipartisan legislation across the finish line to grow Arizona’s microchip manufacturing industry, help address the microchip shortage and lower costs, and create more good-paying jobs — all while bolstering our national security.
Mark Kelly
I release my official Senate schedule to the public and reject corporate PAC money because Arizonans should know that their elected leaders are working for them — not corporate special interests.
Mark Kelly
I always knew I wanted to serve our country, but I never would’ve guessed I’d end up here — now one full year into serving Arizona in the U.S. Senate. It’s been an honor, and I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished together, fighting for Arizona families.
Mark Kelly
Mark Kelly Quotes on Economy
I helped pass two COVID relief bills to distribute vaccines, get direct relief to Arizona families, and help small businesses keep their doors open so our economy could begin to recover. But we can do more than just repair our economy — we must reinvent it for the future.
Mark Kelly
When I was sworn into office a year ago, we were at the height of one of the worst economic recessions in our nation’s history, caused by a once-in-a-century pandemic. Right away, my top priority was getting vaccines in arms and getting our economy back on track.
Mark Kelly
As we recover from this pandemic, Arizona families are struggling with the rising costs of gas, groceries, and housing. I’m working hard in the Senate to get our economy back on track, cut taxes for working families, and lower costs for Arizonans.
Mark Kelly
Water is our most important resource here in the desert, and this support I secured for Arizona will help our state upgrade our water infrastructure, clean contaminants, and expand reliable access to clean drinking water.
Mark Kelly
Supply chain issues in microchips manufacturing are raising costs on everything from computers to cars — and it’s hurting Arizona families. I’m focused on growing Arizona’s microchip industry, which will create thousands of jobs in Arizona and lower costs for working families.
Mark Kelly
Wildfires tear through our state each year, and the damage doesn’t end when they’re extinguished. I secured funding in the bipartisan infrastructure bill to improve wildland firefighting efforts so we can mitigate this kind of devastation and protect communities across Arizona.
Mark Kelly
One of my biggest responsibilities in the Senate is to work directly with Arizonans owed benefits or support from the federal government. I’m proud my team has worked through over 4,000 cases in the past year and returned over $10 million to AZ families.
Mark Kelly
Addressing the historic drought we’ve been facing in Arizona is one of my top priorities in the Senate. With the bipartisan infrastructure package passed into law, we’ll be able to secure our water supply for the future and expand access to clean drinking water across Arizona.
Mark Kelly
It’s time we built an economy that works for all Arizonans. That’s what I’ve been working to do in the Senate with the newly-signed bipartisan infrastructure bill that will create thousands of high-paying jobs for Arizonans.
Mark Kelly
High gas prices are hurting families across Arizona and it needs to be addressed. I’m pushing the administration to take action to lower costs at the pump.
Mark Kelly
Thousands of good-paying jobs will be created as infrastructure projects start to break ground — and our colleges and trade schools are already giving Arizonans the skills they need to fill them. I’m excited to continue working with them to prepare our workforce for the future.
Mark Kelly
Reinventing Arizona’s economy for the future starts with bringing our infrastructure up to speed for the challenges of the 21st century.
Mark Kelly
Make no mistake: The infrastructure bill is a big win for Arizona’s future.
Mark Kelly
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: It’s not good enough to just go back to how things were before the pandemic. I’m working to reinvent Arizona’s economy for the future and create more good-paying jobs for Arizonans.
Mark Kelly
Mark Kelly Quotes on Education
I know the value of a strong public education system. We need to make sure teachers and schools have the resources they need so every Arizonan can receive a quality public education.
Mark Kelly
Public schools are the foundation of our education system thanks to the teachers who dedicate their lives to making sure the next generation is set up for success.
Mark Kelly
Mark Kelly Quotes on Health
I’m so grateful for the health care workers who continue to save lives in hospitals across Arizona
Mark Kelly
The financial burden of skyrocketing prescription drugs costs is holding back Arizonans — especially seniors. It’s time to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices.
Mark Kelly
Mississippi’s unconstitutional abortion ban is a clear attempt to undermine the reproductive freedoms established in Roe v. Wade. That’s why I signed an amicus brief in support of abortion rights in advance of today’s hearing at the Supreme Court.
Mark Kelly
I’ve met with Arizonans from every corner of our state to talk about everything from the cost of healthcare to the state of our economy. I take their stories with me every time I step onto the Senate floor.
Mark Kelly
Mark Kelly Quotes on Women/Gay Rights/LGBT
For too long, America has left talent on the field by excluding women from critical positions in science and technology. To compete globally, we need to break down historical barriers, invest more in STEM education, and grow the number of women in tech.
Mark Kelly
It’s important we take time to educate ourselves about the rise in violence against transgender people, particularly women of color, and all we can do to prevent it.
Mark Kelly
Mark Kelly Quotes on Security
Today on the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, we honor the memory of the thousands of Americans who lost their lives defending our country — nearly half of whom were killed serving aboard the USS Arizona.
Mark Kelly
Wildland firefighters risk their lives to protect our communities and stop the spread of dangerous fires. I made sure the bipartisan infrastructure package includes funding for more resources and better firefighter pay.
Mark Kelly
Our military service members have some of the hardest jobs in the world — and we’ve got to have their backs in times of need.
Mark Kelly
Our state is home to nearly half a million veterans who put their lives on the line to defend our country, and we’re forever in their debt. In the Senate, I’ll continue working to support Arizona’s veterans and servicemembers.
Mark Kelly
Pat Tillman would have turned 45 today if his life wasn’t tragically cut short 17 years ago. He left behind a legacy of courage and selflessness, and he’ll always be an inspiration to many for his decision to give up his football career and serve our country after 9/11.
Mark Kelly
There are a lot of dedicated people out there that don’t get the recognition that we get, but they’re as important as the people that are sitting in the vehicle.
Mark Kelly
Other Mark Kelly Quotes
I don’t know what anxiety is.
Mark Kelly
I’m happy to see we’re starting from the ground up in Arizona.
Mark Kelly
When you look at this round ball, and everybody’s down there, it doesn’t seem all that big. You get a really good appreciation for the fact that this planet is an island, floating in the blackness of space. We really don’t want to mess it up.
Mark Kelly
When it comes to clothes, I’m pretty practical. So, when my team asked if they could put a black tee on the campaign store, I thought it was a great idea.
Mark Kelly
The biggest challenge of my life had nothing to do with my career. It was when my wife was shot in January of 2011, and aiding her recovery.
Mark Kelly
Despite what people may think, there’s no place for us to go….when you think about that, you gain a better appreciation for the environment, and taking care of it.
Mark Kelly
The first thing I woke up thinking (in space) was ‘uh, what is the flight plan?’ because I have to figure out what the first thing I needed to do that day was. Before I went to sleep? ‘What is the flight plan? And what do I need to do when I wake up tomorrow.
Mark Kelly
A trip to space is a big motivator to give up some things in your personal life. Obviously, you can’t give up everything and you don’t want to.
Mark Kelly
Summary
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Stay strong!
