U.S. Rep. Bill Young announced on Wednesday that he will not seek reelection in 2014. Young made the announcement in an interview with the Tampa Bay Times.
First elected to Congress in 1970, Young has been on the Florida political stage since 1960 when he was elected to the Florida Senate. During the 1960s, Young moved up the ranks to serve as Senate minority leader before winning a seat in Congress. From 1999 until 2005, Young chaired the House Appropriations Committee.
Here is a compilation of reactions to this news from Tampa Bay and Florida elected officials and politicians.
Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus, via Twitter:
“Thank you to the GOP’s longest serving member Rep. Bill Young for your extraordinary service. Enjoy retirement, you will be missed!”
House Speaker John Boehner:
“Bill Young is the dean of the Florida congressional delegation, a tireless voice for our men and women in uniform and America’s national security, and a dear friend. Since 1970, he has served with distinction in the People’s House — and both the House and the people are better for it. I thank him for his service, and I will miss him.”
Governor Rick Scott:
“As Florida’s longest serving Congressman, we appreciate Congressman Bill Young’s more than 50 years of service to Florida families. Throughout his career, Congressman Young has fought to make sure Washington acted in the best interests of the brave men and women who serve in our military. His unwavering dedication to Pinellas County and the Sunshine State will be missed in Washington.”
Senator Bill Nelson:
“I thank Bill Young for all of his years of dedicated public service. He was always someone who approached solutions in a bipartisan way. He will be missed.”
Senator Marco Rubio:
“Floridians owe Bill Young a debt of gratitude for his 53 years of service to our state and country. Bill has fought tirelessly for the interests of Pinellas County, St. Pete and the Tampa Bay area in the state legislature and U.S. Congress by helping to strengthen our state’s defense industry and creating thousands of jobs. Additionally, no one has fought harder for the servicemen and women in this country and for returning veterans than Bill and his wife, Beverly. Bill is a true statesman whose wisdom, commitment and expertise will be sorely missed in Congress. Jeanette and I wish Beverly and Bill all the best as they begin the next chapter of their life.”
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor noted Young’s dedication to “our community” and his passion for “our military members, veterans and their families.” She said that Young has “left his mark” on such important institutions as the University of South Florida, Bay Pines Medical Center, St. Pete College and Tampa Bay Water.
U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney:
“Bill Young is without question the leader of the Florida delegation in Congress. His wealth of knowledge and experience have served our entire state well, and have made him a mentor to many others in Congress, myself included. I have often looked to Bill for guidance, because you can always count him to do the right thing for our state, our country, and our troops and veterans.
“As chairman of the Defense Appropriations Committee, Bill has fought to keep our nation safe and to provide the best support possible for our troops and their families. Throughout his long career, he has been a leader in bringing economic development and jobs to southwest Florida. Bill is a true statesmen and an unwavering voice of reason and respect, and his service will be deeply missed. It has been an honor to serve with him, and I wish him and his family all the best.”
U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen:
“It has been a great privilege to serve with Bill in Congress. His determined work for his constituents, military families, Tampa Bay, and Florida are well-known and admired. He is a wealth of information and someone many turn to for advice and needed perspective. I will miss his valued contributions to our delegation and the Congress. Bill is a consummate gentleman and public servant, his legacy is one of service and dedication to Florida.”
U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross:
“I remember I first met Bill in 1981 when I was a legislative aide in Tallahassee. He was and continues to be one of the most respected people in the community and in Congress. Bill has devoted his life to public service, and has worked tirelessly for more than 40 years to represent Floridians in Washington, D.C. Cindy and I send our best wishes to Bill and Beverly.”
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Steve Israel:
“The departure of the most senior House Republican should serve as a wake-up call to Speaker Boehner and House Republicans: if they continue to cave to the Tea Party’s radical demands and threaten the country’s financial stability, they will see even their own Members jump off their sinking ship. In 2014, the voters in Florida’s 13th district will have the chance to elect a problem-solving Democrat in this competitive district that twice elected President Obama.”
Former Governor Jeb Bush, via Twitter:
“Congressman Bill Young is an American patriot. We appreciate his service!”
Florida GOP chairman Lenny Curry:
“I want to congratulate Congressman C.W. Bill Young on an extraordinary, five-decade career in public service for Florida. After starting his political career in the Florida State Senate from 1961 to 1970, Young has now honorably served in the U.S. House of Representatives for over 40 years and is currently the longest-serving Republican member of Congress. Congressman Young always stood up for the Sunshine State and fought for the best interest of all Floridians. The Republican Party of Florida and I thank him for his dedication to his constituents and wish him well in the next chapter of his life.”
State Senator Jeff Brandes via Twitter:
“Congressman Bill Young is a great public servant and I am honored to call him a friend and mentor.”
State Senator Jack Latvala:
“He’s been my idol ever since he’s been in office. He’s the kind of public official who epitomizes what public service should be. … Look at his net worth. Bill Young never used his position for personal gain.”
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn:
“We have never had a better champion for the military and specifically for MacDill Air Force Base than we had in Bill Young. I understand why he wants to retire, but I don’t know that we could ever replace him. … I say this as a Democrat. I always supported Bill Young in spite of what my party wanted because I knew how good he was for this community and I knew what would have happened to MacDill Air Force Base had he not been there fighting for us.”
Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker:
“Today is a day to celebrate the incredible career of a man who has left his mark on St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay, Florida, and the nation. He influenced entire sectors of our local economy, including the universities and the marine sciences. He also spent a great deal of time working to improve Midtown St. Petersburg — a story which doesn’t often get told. The Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center would not have been built if it wasn’t for Bill Young. It’s an understatement to say he will be missed.”
County Commissioner Charlie Justice:
“Today we should say thank you to Congressman Young. While we obviously have policy differences with the long term incumbent, today is about recognizing his contributions to our community. I appreciate anyone who steps up and offers themselves for public service; and he has done so for over four decades, sacrificing time at home and with his family. There is plenty of time to speculate about who will succeed him, today is simply about thanking Bill Young for his service.”
County Commissioner Ken Welch:
“We’re very much of a Democratic family, but I remember the first time I voted I asked my Dad who I should vote for, and he said, ‘Bill Young.’ That kind of showed me how special a person he is. … I’ve been privileged to be the second generation in my family to work with him.”
House District 67 candidate Chris Latvala:
“No one has had as great of an impact on Pinellas County than Bill Young. I will miss not having him as my Congressman.”
