Political Leaders 2006 Profile: Andy Block
Nov 9 2006 - 10:00am
Name: Andrew Block
Age: 41
Born: July 13, 1965. I was born and grew up in Chicago.
Current Digs: I live and work in Charlottesville, VA.
Occupation: Legal Director of the JustChildren Program of the Legal Aid Justice Center.
Favorite part about the job: It is a privilege to be able to work on issues about which I care deeply, to help children and families obtain new opportunities and resources, and to work with so many amazing people and advocates from across the Commonwealth.
First job ever? In high school I interned in the Chicago office of Governor Jim Thompson.
Favorite book? Their Eyes Were Watching God and Moby Dick.
Favorite movie? High Fidelity comes to mind first.
Must-see TV? Nothing since the West Wing went off the air.
Comfort food? Mexican.
What's in your car CD player right now? A kid's hip-hop CD, Bob Dylan, Dusty Springfield and others.
Next journey? To Chicago for a conference on the education of children in foster care and to watch my sister run a marathon.
Last gift you received? A shirt from my wife.
Best advice you ever got? Never give up.
Whom do you admire and why? Nelson Mandela. He fought for equality, freedom and justice without any kind of safety net. He quite literally put his life on the line every day for what he believed. And when he succeeded, when the walls of apartheid came tumbling down, he did not act with vengeance but led and governed with integrity, compassion, and vision. He did not, in other words, become what he fought against.
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why? Nelson Mandela. For the reasons described above.
Describe a perfect day. What John Lawrence said.
One thing most people might be surprised to learn about you? That I am not the guy on Law and Order.
Ambition, political or otherwise? To strike the right balance between making substantial contributions to the lives of those in Virginia who too often get overlooked and overrun, and being an energetic and fun-loving husband, father, friend and son.
