Shame on you! Groveling Republican Sen. Mark Kirk FINALLY apologizes to amputee Iraq war vet Tammy Duckworth for racially-charged jibe during debate

• e-mail

Republican Senator Mark Kirk has finally issued an apology to his Bangkok-born Democratic opponent Tammy Duckworth for taking a racist swipe at her mixed heritage background during an Illinois campaign debate.

'Sincere apologies to an American hero, Tammy Duckworth, and gratitude for her family's service', Kirk tweeted to his 9,588 followers at midday on Friday after being called out by shocked and incensed Republicans and Democrats alike.

The night before he quipped that he'd 'forgotten' that the parents of Duckworth - a Purple Heart Iraq war veteran who lost both her legs in the conflict - 'came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington'.

He made the tone deaf comment in response to Duckworth's summary of her family's impressive military history, dating back to the Revolutionary War.

'My family has served this nation in uniform, going back to the Revolution. I’m a daughter of the American Revolution', she had said.  

Sen Mark Kirk made the bizarre remark at a head-to-head debate, sparking accusations of racism and a call for him to apologize to his rival

Duckworth tweeted a photograph of herself with her parents, stating that her father's family has served in uniform since the Revolution

'I’ve bled for this nation. But I still want to be there in the Senate when the drums of war sound. 

'Because people are quick to sound the drums of war, and I want to be there to say this is what it costs, this is what you’re asking us to do. … Families like mine are the ones that bleed first.' 

Immediately after making the snide remark an awkward silence fell on the debate, followed by an incandescent Twitter audience venting their fury.   

Duckworth was born in Bangkok to a Thai mother of Chinese descent and an American father. She became the first member of Congress born in Thailand and was awarded the Purple Heart for her bravery after the helicopter she was co-piloting was shot down by the enemy's rocket-propelled 

Her father, Captain Franklin Duckworth, is a veteran of World War Two and the Korean and Vietnam wars.

And her ancestor, Jonathan Duckworth, of Burke, North Carolina, is on the rolls of those who received Federal pensions for military service in the Revolutionary War. 

Following the debate, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokeswoman Lara Sisselman issued a statement branding the attack 'offensive, wrong, and racist'.

Iraq 2004 during a break in the mission day: Helicopter pilot Major Duckworth lost both her legs in a helicopter accident later that year and was awarded the Purple Heart for her bravery

Duckworth talks to DAV member and Vietnam Veteran Don Sioss about her injuries and treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC on January 7, 2005

Duckworth arrives (left) to address delegates on the final day of DNC at Wells Fargo Center on July 28, 2016 - and right, pictured with President Barack Obama in 2008 to honor America's veterans on Veterans Day at the Bronze Soldiers Memorial November in Chicago

Sisselman continued: 'A struggling political campaign is no excuse for baseless and despicable attacks, and Senator Kirk owes Congresswoman Duckworth and her family an apology.'

The Clinton campaign was quick to pounce on the controversy - hitting right back at Kirk with a tweet which read: 'Thankful for @TammyforIL's - and her family's - service to this country. It's really not that hard to grasp, @MarkKirk.4]

Responding to Kirk's comment, Duckworth said: 'I’m proud of both my father’s side and my mother, who is an immigrant.' She also tweeted out a picture alongside her parents - both her and her father in army dress with medals on display.

A statue of the Congresswoman was erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution next to Revolutionary War hero Margaret Ludwig Hay in Mount Vernon.

After the criticism, a statement was issued by Kirk campaign spokeswoman Eleni Demertzis, which did not include an apology - in fact it went on to call Duckworth a liar and a failure.

It said: 'Senator Kirk has consistently called Rep. Duckworth a war hero and honors her family’s service to this country. 'But that’s not what this debate was about. Rep. Duckworth lied about her legal troubles, was unable to defend her failures at the VA and then falsely attacked Senator Kirk over his record on supporting gay rights'. 

The controversy was greeted with glee by Kellyanne Conway, Donald Trump's campaign manager.

Kirk angered Trump earlier this year by un-endorsing him and saying he is unfit to be president. 

Duckworth pictured with her husband Major Bryan W. Bowlsbey, a signal officer and fellow Iraq War veteran with whom she served in the llinois Army National Guard. After struggling to conceive, Duckworth welcomed her first child, Abigail O’kalani Bowlsbey, in 2014

'Gotcha': Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway tweeted a link to the video of Kirk's 'joke'

Conway tweeted a link to the video, and wrote: 'The same Mark Kirk that unendorsed his party's presidential nominee and called him out in paid ads? Gotcha. Good luck.' 

Kirk is no stranger to controversy or racially-charged comments. He previously said Obama was 'acting like the drug dealer in chief' for the administration's cash payment to Iran in exchange for the release of American prisoners.

He insulted African-Americas further by suggesting entrepreneurship within their community should be fostered so 'that the black community is not the one we drive faster through'.

The one that attracted most attention however was his live mic reference during a Senate committee hearing of bachelor colleague Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina who he referred to as a 'bro with no ho'.

Kirk, who also uses a wheelchair due to complications from a stroke, is also a veteran and served as an intelligence officer in the Naval Reserve.

Polls give Duckworth a comfortable lead over the Republican in what is a deep blue state.

Kirk and Duckworth will meet Nov. 4 for the third and final debate. The seat is critical for either party to take the Senate.