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Sen. Kirk makes first official public appearance since stroke

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., May 3 (UPI) -- U.S. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., waylaid by a serious stroke, Friday made his first official public appearance, taking reporters' queries at an Illinois charter school.

Kirk, 53, who returned to work in the Senate in January, a year after suffering a stroke, spoke with clarity and quickly at times at the LEARN Public Charter School outside North Chicago. He discussed a range of subjects, including budget issues and the nomination of Penny Pritzker as commerce secretary, the Chicago Tribune said.

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While he did bring up his health situation, he later responded to a reporter's inquiry.

"I will say that rehab works. Part of my mission is to tell everyone in Illinois who has [a parent with a medical issue who is depressed], call me and I'll get them up," said Kirk, who used both a wheelchair and a four-pronged cane in getting around at the school after arriving in a sport utility vehicle.

He explained his limp and restricted movements to students at the school, the newspaper said.

"I am not as quick as I used to be," he said. "I have a mission ... to show and be an example to your older parents who go through something like that that ... you can come back."

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