Congressional
District 13
District 13
General location of the 13th congressional district in Florida, in 2013,[1] in Pinellas County (red).
Posted on 10/18/2013 5:42:50 PM PDT by shortstop
Republican Rep. C.W. Bill Young, Florida's longest-serving member of Congress has passed away.
On Thursday, the family of the 82-year-old lawmaker said that he was gravely ill.
Young's family released the following statement Friday:
"U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young (FL-13) passed away this evening at The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in the company of his family. The cause of death was complications related to a chronic injury. Information on services will be forthcoming."
Young was influential on military spending during his 43 years in Washington, and in October announced his decision to retire.
In recent years, Young had become increasingly frail and relied on a wheelchair. He was quoted by the Tampa Bay Times as saying that his decision was based on both his health and a desire to spend more time with his family.
Young had been seeking treatment at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., due to back problems that stemmed from a 1970 small-plane crash.
After Young made his announcement to retire, praise of his service from his fellow Florida politicians emerged.
"Congressman Bill Young is an American patriot," tweeted former Republican Gov. Jeb Bush. "We appreciate his service!"
Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio praised Young for his support for the military. "No one has fought harder for the servicemen and women in this country and for returning veterans than Bill and his wife, Beverly," wrote Rubio in a news release.
Said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, a Democrat: "He was always someone who approached solutions in a bipartisan way. He will be missed."
Young's term in office was slated to end next year.
Young was born in Harmarville, Pa., and later moved to Indian Shores, Fla., a small Gulf Coast community in Pinellas County.
He served in the Army National Guard from 1948 to 1957, then became an aide to U.S. Rep. William Cramer from 1957 to 1960. From 1961 to 1971, he served in the Florida Senate.
He was first elected to the U.S. House in 1970. Young and his wife, Beverly, have three children. His son, Bill Young II, has expressed interest in the past in running for office.
The congressman was a longtime member of the House Appropriations Committee, where he focused on military spending. He and his wife frequently visited ailing service members at hospitals in the Washington area.
As one of the strongest defense hawks in Congress, Young made headlines in 2012 when he said the United States should withdraw its forces from Afghanistan.
Young told The Associated Press at the time that "we're killing kids who don't need to die," and reflected the growing weariness with a conflict that had dragged on for more than a decade.
Young brought hundreds of millions of dollars in earmarks back to the Tampa Bay area, and built up a defense contracting industry in the region, creating jobs and stirring the economy.
May he rest in eternal peace.
RIP
This seat likely goes to the Democrats.
Sounds like he made his life count for something besides “self.” RIP, Bill Young.
Rest well Sir
I’m not so sure. it is a toss up seat and if the younger Young runs for it that just might be enough to keep it in the family and in the party. He had a very popular brand. But any way you were a good man Bill Young rest in peace. This district has had only two congressmen since 1950.
| 2012 | President | Barack Obama 52% - Mitt Romney 46%[3] |
| 2008 | President | John McCain 52% - Barack Obama 47% |
| 2004 | President | George W. Bush 56% - John Kerry 43% |
| 2000 | President | George W. Bush 53% - Al Gore44% |
1955. It was the first district in Florida to elect a Republican since Reconstruction.
-PJ
RIP.
No disrespect to Young, but the political class needs to be culled via Term Limits.
It's high time DC is put in check by the States.
The only viable strategy going forward is to wage class war against the parasite class and target the Washingtonians from both parties that are entrenched in safe Districts.
Of course, the propagandist press must be dealt with.
Putin in Russia just shoots any "reporter" that gets out of line.
The CPUSA here is firmly entrenched in the media and supports the domestic marxists 1000%.
They are enjoying salad days, but their time of reckoning is fast approaching.
ROFL Yes I notice that too. Not sure maybe it is a sign I suppose.
Would you have said that about James Madison?
If term limits worked, California would have a responsible legislature. Instead, it has become a revolving door for nameless lobbyists without a care for the public because they need a job on the way out.
It didn't work.
I worked his campaign the same year I worked Reagan’s back in the ‘80’s and got to meet him. He was a good man. He had already announced his retirement so it was going to be an open seat. Now, Gov. Rick Scott can appoint his replacement which should give an advantage.
I knew Congressman Young,
He was a very humble and genital soul that walked the halls of power as the peoples servant, a true republican in the strictest since of the word; for the public, for his people, Pinellas County, the state of Florida and the United States of America.
He will be missed by his constituents, and I will miss him.
So true!
Sorry,but he has to call special election . He can only appoint someone to replace a Senator. He still has no lieutenant governor.
House members are never appointed. Scott must call a special election.
We just got re-districted into his territory. He seemed like a good guy, but that’s way too long for anyone to spend on the hill.
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