Alan Simpson (American politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alan K. Simpson
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Official portrait, c. 1970s
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| Co-Chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform | |
| In office February 18, 2010 – December 1, 2010 Serving with Erskine Bowles
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| Appointed by | Barack Obama |
| Senate Minority Whip | |
| In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1995 |
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| Leader | Bob Dole |
| Preceded by | Alan Cranston |
| Succeeded by | Wendell Ford |
| Senate Majority Whip | |
| In office January 3, 1985 – January 3, 1987 |
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| Leader | Bob Dole |
| Preceded by | Ted Stevens |
| Succeeded by | Alan Cranston |
| United States Senator from Wyoming |
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| In office January 1, 1979 – January 3, 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Clifford Hansen |
| Succeeded by | Mike Enzi |
| Member of the Wyoming House of Representatives from Park County |
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| In office January 1965 – November 10, 1977 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Alan Kooi Simpson
September 2, 1931 Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
| Died | March 14, 2025 (aged 93) Cody, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Susan Schroll
(m. 1954) |
| Children | 3, including Colin |
| Relatives | Milward Simpson (father) Pete Simpson (brother) |
| Education | University of Wyoming (BS, JD) |
| Awards | Presidential Medal of Freedom (2022) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1954–1956 |
| Rank | Second Lieutenant |
| Unit | 5th Infantry 2nd Armored Division |
Alan Kooi Simpson (born September 2, 1931 – died March 14, 2025) was an American politician from Wyoming. He was a member of the Republican Party. He served in the United States Senate from 1979 to 1997.
Simpson was a leader in the Senate. He was the Republican whip from 1985 to 1995. This role means he helped organize his party's votes. He also worked with Erskine Bowles to lead a group called the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. This group looked for ways to reduce the country's debt.
Alan Simpson was born in Denver, Colorado. He studied law at the University of Wyoming. Before becoming a senator, he served in the Wyoming House of Representatives. His father, Milward Simpson, also served in the same Senate seat. After leaving the Senate, Alan Simpson continued to work in law and teach. He also helped on important national groups.
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Alan Simpson's Early Life
Alan Simpson was born on September 2, 1931, in Denver, Colorado. His parents were Milward Simpson and Lorna Kooi. His middle name, Kooi, came from his mother's side of the family. He had an older brother named Pete Simpson.
Alan went to Cody High School in Cody, Wyoming. He graduated in 1949. Later, he attended the University of Wyoming. He earned a science degree in 1954.
After college, Simpson served in the United States Army. He was stationed in Germany from 1955 to 1956. After his military service, he went back to the University of Wyoming College of Law. He became a lawyer in 1958. He then worked as a lawyer in Cody, Wyoming. He even became the city's attorney.
Serving Wyoming in Politics
Wyoming House of Representatives
Alan Simpson began his political career in 1964. He was elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives. He represented Park County. During his time there, he served as the speaker pro tem. This means he helped lead the discussions in the state legislature. He left this role in 1977 to prepare for a run for the U.S. Senate.
Joining the U.S. Senate
Simpson was elected to the United States Senate in November 1978. He started his term early, on January 1, 1979. He took over the seat from Clifford Hansen. Interestingly, Clifford Hansen had taken over the seat from Alan's father, Milward Simpson.
From 1985 to 1995, Simpson was the Republican whip in the Senate. He worked closely with Republican Leader Bob Dole. He also led the United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs for several years. This committee helps veterans. He also chaired other important subcommittees.
Simpson was known as a moderate conservative. He worked on important laws. One example is the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. This law aimed to manage immigration better.
When he was young, Simpson was a Boy Scout. He visited Japanese American Scouts who were held in camps during World War II. He became good friends with Norman Mineta. Mineta later became a U.S. Representative. Their friendship led Simpson to support the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. This law gave money to Japanese Americans who were unfairly held in camps.
Simpson voted to create Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national holiday. He also supported the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987. He was a very tall senator, standing at 6 feet 7 inches.
Life After the Senate
In 1995, Alan Simpson decided not to run for re-election to the Senate. After leaving Congress, he taught at Harvard University. He also directed a program there focused on politics.
Simpson then returned to Cody, Wyoming. He continued to practice law with his sons. His son, Colin M. Simpson, also became involved in Wyoming politics. He served in the Wyoming House of Representatives.
Alan Simpson also taught at his old university, the University of Wyoming. He helped raise a lot of money for the university. He was also involved in groups that promoted unity within the Republican Party.
Working on National Issues
Iraq Study Group
In 2006, Simpson was part of the Iraq Study Group. This group was made of ten people, five Democrats and five Republicans. They worked together to study the situation in Iraq.
National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
In 2010, President Barack Obama asked Simpson to co-chair a special commission. This was the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. He led it with Erskine Bowles. The commission looked for ways to reduce the national debt. Simpson often spoke about how important it was to manage the country's money for future generations.
Campaign Finance Reform
Simpson was a strong supporter of changing campaign finance rules. He believed there should be limits on how much money can be spent in elections. He wanted to change the U.S. Constitution to allow this.
Civic Participation
Simpson was involved in many groups that worked to improve public life. He was on the board of the National Institute for Civil Discourse. He also helped lead a group called Issue One. This group tries to reduce the influence of money in politics.
Presidential Medal of Freedom
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On July 1, 2022, Alan Simpson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is one of the highest honors a civilian can receive in the United States. President Joe Biden presented him with the award.
Alan Simpson's Family Life
In 1954, Alan Simpson married Susan Ann Schroll. They met while studying at the University of Wyoming. They had three children: William, Colin M. Simpson, and Susan.
Simpson's health declined in his later years. He passed away on March 14, 2025, in Cody, Wyoming, at the age of 93.
Works
- Right in the Old Gazoo: A Lifetime of Scrapping with the Press. (William Morrow & Company, 1997). ISBN: 0-688-11358-3)
Recognition
In 1998, Simpson received the Golden Plate Award. In 2011, he and Erskine Bowles received an award for ethics in government. This was for their work on the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. In 2022, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
See also
In Spanish: Alan Simpson para niños
