John A. Kowalko Jr. Born 9/17/45 in Portsmouth Va.

Parents:  Deceased: Father:  John A. Sr.(24year) career Marine, Mother: Adele (Bechta) housewife, mother of four (single parent after death of husband at age 52 in 1966) superb Cook specializing in Polish Delicacies.
 Wife:  Connie (Merlet)  Director of Willa Road Daycare in Newark, PTA Federal Legislative Chair, Windy Hills Civic Association President.
Children: Daughter: Johanna (27 years old) pursuing her PHD in Biology at Harvard University.  Son: John Adam 3^rd (22 years old) 1^st year law student at American University Washington College of Law.

Delaware resident for 25 years, Windy Hills since 1988

Life Milestones

• Raised in Philadelphia, graduated from St. Joseph’s Prep in 1963, apprenticed as a Machinist at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.
• At the Shipyard, Member of LL687 IAM, held offices of Treasurer and Recording secretary. Also served as Chief Steward of the Metal Trades Council (a coalition of various trade unions at the Shipyard)
• Employed at Delaware City Refinery from 1978-November 2004. As member of LL648, held positions of Machinist steward and General Foreman Machinist.
• Moved to Delaware in 1983, to Windy Hills in 1987.
• Members of St John’s/Holy Angels Parish in Newark

Involvement:

• Wilmington News Journal Community Advisory Board member and ex-officio Editorial Board member for two years
• Kirkwood Soccer Youth coach for 5 years
• CYM Track coach for Holy Angels, three years  
• SURJ (Stand up for What's Right and Just)
• Citizens for Legislative Accountability
• Former PTA member

• New Castle County Community Services Board

• Citizen’s Solid Waste Solutions Commission

• Delmarva Power Consumer council

• A. Philip Randolph Institutte

• Common Cause of Delaware

Current Involvement (Member and Active Participant):

• Progressive Democrats of Delaware
• Alliance for Health Care Reform
• Delaware Coalition for Health Care NOW
• 25th District Dem. Committee (Vice Chair)
• Pacem in Terris
• Delaware Academy of Science
• Windy Hills Residents’ Civic Association
• St. John’s Holy Angels Parish
• Brookside Lions
• International Reading Association Advisory Board
• Stonewall Democrats 

Legislative Committees:

• Energy - Chair
• Natural Resources
• Manufactured Housing
• Education
• Sunset Committee (Policy Analysis & Government Accountability) - Chair
• Health & Human Development
• Kids Caucus 

Endorsements:

• Delaware Stonewall Democrats
• Delaware State AFL-CIO
• Senator Biden endorses John Kowalko
• Senator Carper endorses John Kowalko

Member:

• St. John's/Holy Angels Parish
• International Association of Machinists
• Brookside Lions Club
• Newark Senior Center
• Delaware Academy of Science
• International Reading Association Board of Advisors Alliance for Health Care Reform
• Newark Day Nursery Honorary Campaign Committee
• Stonewall Democrats
• Delmarva Power Consumer Council
• Windy Hills Civic Association
• Iron Hill Museum Capital Fund Task Force
• SURJ
• FMC Bio Polymer Community Advisory Panel

• Christina District School Board Citizenship Award
• Legislator Political Courage Award, Progressive Democrats for Delaware
• THUMBS UP AWARD for outstanding advocacy on environmental and energy issues
• Delaware Today, People of Influence, the Environment 
• DSEA 2010 Friend of Education Award