Bill Young
Encyclopedia
Charles William "Bill" Young (born December 16, 1930) is the U.S. Representative
for , serving since 1971. He is a member of the Republican Party
, and is currently the longest-serving Republican member of Congress. He was Chairman of Appropriations
from 1999 to 2005 and still retains a seat on that committee.
, a suburb of Pittsburgh, in 1930. He grew up in a Pennsylvania coal town in a shotgun shack. His family moved to Florida when he was 16 where Young dropped out of St. Petersburg High School
to support his ill mother. When he was 18, he joined the Army National Guard
and served from 1948 to 1957. When he finished his service at age 25, he applied for a job as an insurance salesman and ultimately ran an insurance agency.
, where he served from 1961 to 1970, and was minority leader in that chamber from 1966 to 1970.
From 1962 through 1964, Young served on the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee
, commonly known as the Johns Committee, a legislative panel that investigated the activities of homosexuals, communists and others thought to be subversive. In 1964, the committee released a pamphlet entitled Homosexuality and Citizenship in Florida
, which drew criticism at the time for its use of explicit photographs of homosexual acts. At the time, Young said of homosexuality: "Our report tried to show it in its true light - it's a very repulsive subject." Responding to reports that reprints of the pamphlet were being sold as pornography for a gay audience, Young said: "This indicates how bold the homosexual is becoming and further proves the necessity of state government taking the lead in responsibility for preventing these confirmed homosexuals from preying on the youth of the state." In 1993, Young was asked about his involvement with the report by the St. Petersburg Times
and said: "I am not supportive of homosexuality, but that's the decision of the people who are involved in it. If someone wants to engage in that sort of behavior, that's their choice." Young also stated that the committee was largely inactive during his tenure due to the illness of its chair, Charley Eugene Johns
, and that he was not involved enough in the committee to be either proud or regretful of its work.
Young was elected to Congress in 1970 from what was then the 8th District and has been reelected 20 times. The district, which has changed numbers three times during Young's tenure (it was the 8th District from 1971 to 1973, the 6th District from 1971 to 1983, the 8th District again from 1983 to 1993 and has been the 10th since 1993) was once considered a Republican stronghold. Young has mostly coasted to reelection, only once receiving less than 60% of the vote (1992).
requests from members of Congress, because of his position on the appropriations committee. He believes that requests for earmarks should not be publicly disclosed. In March 2006, Young spokesman Harry Glenn said "This has been the policy of the committee for years. It's internal correspondence from one member to another." From 2007 - 2008, $167,000,000 in earmarked funds came to the Tampa Bay Area.
On September 29, 2008, Young voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
Earmarks to his children's employers
Young has supported earmarks to two companies which employ his sons, both before and after they were employees. Patrick, 20 years old, is employed by defense contractor SAIC. The situation is not illegal.
T-shirt
At the State of the Union
address on January 31, 2006, authorities expressly prohibited the display of political ideology on clothing in the Capitol building. Young's wife was asked to leave shortly after anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan
was ejected for wearing an anti-war T-shirt. Beverly Young's T-shirt stated: "Support the Troops — Defending Our Freedom." She argued with Capitol Hill police
in the hallway outside the House chamber. "They said I was protesting," she told the St. Petersburg Times. "I said, 'Read my shirt, it is not a protest.' They said, 'We consider that a protest.' I said, 'Then you are an idiot.'"
Young was angry about the way his wife was treated. "Because she had on a shirt that someone didn't like that said support our troops, she was kicked out of this gallery," Young said on the House floor the following day, holding up the gray shirt. "Shame, shame," he said.
Capitol Police Chief Terrance Gainer
apologized in a statement late that same day. Young said he was not necessarily satisfied. "My wife was humiliated," he told reporters. He suggested that "sensitivity training" might be in order for the Capitol Police.
Humvee
In 2011, Young resisted a request by the Pentagon to transfer $863 million in funds from Humvee production to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for the conflict in Afghanistan. AM General, which makes the Humvee, has been a contributor to Young's campaigns. Young denied that his actions "put American lives at risk", pointing to an urgent Marine Corps request to improve crew protection on existing Humvees as reason enough to preserve some funding for additional vehicles beyond armed forces requirements. Nonetheless, Young's committee approved $613 million of the Humvee funds to buy equipment for Afghanistan.
in 1968, 1972, 1976, and 1984.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for , serving since 1971. He is a member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, and is currently the longest-serving Republican member of Congress. He was Chairman of Appropriations
United States House Committee on Appropriations
The Committee on Appropriations is a committee of the United States House of Representatives. It is in charge of setting the specific expenditures of money by the government of the United States...
from 1999 to 2005 and still retains a seat on that committee.
Early life, education, and early career
Young was born in Harmarville, PennsylvaniaHarmarville, Pennsylvania
Harmarville, Pennsylvania is an unincorporated community located in Harmar Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Although it is not tracked by the U.S. Census, the population is estimated to be 1,200 residents....
, a suburb of Pittsburgh, in 1930. He grew up in a Pennsylvania coal town in a shotgun shack. His family moved to Florida when he was 16 where Young dropped out of St. Petersburg High School
St. Petersburg High School
St. Petersburg High School, founded in 1898, is a secondary school located in St. Petersburg, Florida. The school's current building, a historic landmark, was built in 1926 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The school was billed as the nation's first million dollar...
to support his ill mother. When he was 18, he joined the Army National Guard
Army National Guard
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
and served from 1948 to 1957. When he finished his service at age 25, he applied for a job as an insurance salesman and ultimately ran an insurance agency.
Florida Senate
In 1960 Young was elected to the Florida SenateFlorida Senate
The Florida Senate is the upper house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The Senate is composed of 40 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 470,032....
, where he served from 1961 to 1970, and was minority leader in that chamber from 1966 to 1970.
From 1962 through 1964, Young served on the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee
Florida Legislative Investigation Committee
The Florida Legislative Investigation Committee was established by the Florida Legislature in 1956, during the era of the Second Red Scare and the Lavender Scare...
, commonly known as the Johns Committee, a legislative panel that investigated the activities of homosexuals, communists and others thought to be subversive. In 1964, the committee released a pamphlet entitled Homosexuality and Citizenship in Florida
Homosexuality and Citizenship in Florida
Homosexuality and Citizenship in Florida, also known as the Purple Pamphlet, was published in January 1964 by the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee of the Florida legislature led by Senator Charley Johns. The booklet contained several pornographic images and a glossary of terminology used...
, which drew criticism at the time for its use of explicit photographs of homosexual acts. At the time, Young said of homosexuality: "Our report tried to show it in its true light - it's a very repulsive subject." Responding to reports that reprints of the pamphlet were being sold as pornography for a gay audience, Young said: "This indicates how bold the homosexual is becoming and further proves the necessity of state government taking the lead in responsibility for preventing these confirmed homosexuals from preying on the youth of the state." In 1993, Young was asked about his involvement with the report by the St. Petersburg Times
St. Petersburg Times
The St. Petersburg Times is a United States newspaper. It is one of two major publications serving the Tampa Bay Area, the other being The Tampa Tribune, which the Times tops in both circulation and readership. Based in St...
and said: "I am not supportive of homosexuality, but that's the decision of the people who are involved in it. If someone wants to engage in that sort of behavior, that's their choice." Young also stated that the committee was largely inactive during his tenure due to the illness of its chair, Charley Eugene Johns
Charley Eugene Johns
Charley Eugene Johns was an American politician. Johns, a Baptist, served as the 32nd Governor of Florida from 1953 to 1955.Johns was born in Starke, Florida. He worked as a railroad conductor...
, and that he was not involved enough in the committee to be either proud or regretful of its work.
Elections
Tenure
In 2005, Young received 3,570 earmarkEarmark (politics)
In United States politics, an earmark is a legislative provision that directs approved funds to be spent on specific projects, or that directs specific exemptions from taxes or mandated fees...
requests from members of Congress, because of his position on the appropriations committee. He believes that requests for earmarks should not be publicly disclosed. In March 2006, Young spokesman Harry Glenn said "This has been the policy of the committee for years. It's internal correspondence from one member to another." From 2007 - 2008, $167,000,000 in earmarked funds came to the Tampa Bay Area.
On September 29, 2008, Young voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (Division A of , commonly referred to as a bailout of the U.S. financial system, is a law enacted in response to the subprime mortgage crisis...
Earmarks to his children's employers
Young has supported earmarks to two companies which employ his sons, both before and after they were employees. Patrick, 20 years old, is employed by defense contractor SAIC. The situation is not illegal.
T-shirt
At the State of the Union
State Of The Union
"State Of The Union" is the debut single from British singer-songwriter David Ford. It had previously been featured as a demo on his official website, before appearing as a track on a CD entitled "Apology Demos EP," only on sale at live shows....
address on January 31, 2006, authorities expressly prohibited the display of political ideology on clothing in the Capitol building. Young's wife was asked to leave shortly after anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan
Cindy Sheehan
Cindy Lee Miller Sheehan is an American anti-war activist whose son, U.S. Army Specialist Casey Sheehan, was killed by enemy action during the Iraq War. She attracted national and international media attention in August 2005 for her extended anti-war protest at a makeshift camp outside President...
was ejected for wearing an anti-war T-shirt. Beverly Young's T-shirt stated: "Support the Troops — Defending Our Freedom." She argued with Capitol Hill police
United States Capitol Police
The United States Capitol Police is a federal police force charged with protecting the United States Congress within the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its territories.-History:...
in the hallway outside the House chamber. "They said I was protesting," she told the St. Petersburg Times. "I said, 'Read my shirt, it is not a protest.' They said, 'We consider that a protest.' I said, 'Then you are an idiot.'"
Young was angry about the way his wife was treated. "Because she had on a shirt that someone didn't like that said support our troops, she was kicked out of this gallery," Young said on the House floor the following day, holding up the gray shirt. "Shame, shame," he said.
Capitol Police Chief Terrance Gainer
Terrance W. Gainer
Terrance William Gainer the 38th and current Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate and has served in this appointment since January 4, 2007. Before Gainer continued his law enforcement career in Washington, D.C., he was the Republican candidate for Cook County State's Attorney in 1988,...
apologized in a statement late that same day. Young said he was not necessarily satisfied. "My wife was humiliated," he told reporters. He suggested that "sensitivity training" might be in order for the Capitol Police.
Humvee
In 2011, Young resisted a request by the Pentagon to transfer $863 million in funds from Humvee production to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for the conflict in Afghanistan. AM General, which makes the Humvee, has been a contributor to Young's campaigns. Young denied that his actions "put American lives at risk", pointing to an urgent Marine Corps request to improve crew protection on existing Humvees as reason enough to preserve some funding for additional vehicles beyond armed forces requirements. Nonetheless, Young's committee approved $613 million of the Humvee funds to buy equipment for Afghanistan.
Committee assignments
- Committee on AppropriationsUnited States House Committee on AppropriationsThe Committee on Appropriations is a committee of the United States House of Representatives. It is in charge of setting the specific expenditures of money by the government of the United States...
- Subcommittee on DefenseUnited States House Appropriations Subcommittee on DefenseThe House Subcommittee on Defense is a standing subcommittee within the United States House Committee on Appropriations.-Members, 112th Congress:-External links:* Official page...
(Chairman) - Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Defense
Caucus memberships
- Army Caucus
- Congressional Diabetes Caucus
- Congressional Fire Services Caucus
- Congressional Human Rights Caucus
- Congressional Social Security Caucus (Co-Chair)
- Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus
- International Conservation CaucusUnited States Congressional International Conservation CaucusThe U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus is a bipartisan congressional organization that was founded in September 2003 with the conviction that “the United States of America has the opportunity, the obligation and the interests to advance the conservation of natural resources for...
- Sportsmen's Caucus
Electoral history
| Year | Republican | Votes | Pct | Democrat | Votes | Pct | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 120,466 | 58,904 |
| Year | Republican | Votes | Pct | Democrat | Votes | Pct | Write-in | Votes | Pct | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 156,150 | 49,399 | ||||||||||
| 1974 | 109,302 | 34,886 | ||||||||||
| 1976 | 151,371 | 80,821 | 26 | |||||||||
| 1978 | 150,694 | 40,654 | ||||||||||
| 1980 | Unopposed | 100% |
| Year | Republican | Votes | Pct | Democrat | Votes | Pct | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Unopposed | 100% | |||||||
| 1984 | 184,553 | 45,393 | |||||||
| 1986 | Unopposed | 100% | |||||||
| 1988 | 169,165 | 62,539 | |||||||
| 1990 | Unopposed | 100% |
| Year | Republican | Votes | Pct | Democrat | Votes | Pct | Third Party | Votes | Pct | Third Party | Votes | Pct | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 149,606 | 114,809 | |||||||||||||||
| 1994 | Unopposed | 100% | |||||||||||||||
| 1996 | 114,443 | 57,375 | Write-in | 2 | |||||||||||||
| 1998 | Unopposed | 100% | |||||||||||||||
| 2000 | 146,799 | (Natural Law) | 26,908 | (independent) | 20,296 | ||||||||||||
| 2002 | Unopposed | 100% | |||||||||||||||
| 2004 | 207,175 | 91,658 | |||||||||||||||
| 2006 | 131,488 | 67,950 | (write-in) | 7 | |||||||||||||
| 2008 | 182,781 | 118,430 | (write-in) | 9 | |||||||||||||
| 2010 | 137,943 | 71,313 |
Other activities
Young served as a member of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission from 1965 to 1967. He was also a Florida delegate to the Republican National ConventionRepublican National Convention
The Republican National Convention is the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States. Convened by the Republican National Committee, the stated purpose of the convocation is to nominate an official candidate in an upcoming U.S...
in 1968, 1972, 1976, and 1984.
Personal life
In 1985, Young divorced his first wife, with whom he had three children, and married his current wife, Beverly. They have had two children together, Billy, and Patrick, and the couple raised Beverly's son, Robbie, from her first marriage.External links
- U.S. Congressman C.W. Bill Young official U.S. House site
- Bill Young for U.S. Congressman official campaign site
- C.W. Bill Young Department of Defense Marrow Donor Program DoD Bone Marrow Donor website