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Heard on the Hill: The Candy Man Can

When Senators are hungry or tired or in need of a little pick-me-up, there’s one man they can turn to: Sen. Mark Kirk.

The freshman Illinois Republican announced over the weekend that he had nabbed the job of keeping the historic “candy desk” in the Senate chamber. Located at the back of the Republican side of the chamber, the candy desk has provided delicious treats for hardworking Senators since 1965, when former Sen. George Murphy (R-Calif.) started the practice of keeping sweets in his desk for fellow lawmakers.

Former Sen. George LeMieux (R-Fla.) was the last Member charged with candy-desk duties.

Kirk says he plans to keep Illinois-produced candy in his desk, including treats from Wrigley, Tootsie Roll Industries, Lambs Farm and Jelly Belly. Each of those candy-makers will be named a very important-sounding “Official Provider to the U.S. Senate Candy Desk.”

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