Alan Simpson (American politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alan 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 (September 2, 1931 – March 14, 2025) was an American politician from Wyoming. He was a member of the Republican Party. Simpson served in the Wyoming House of Representatives from 1965 to 1977. Later, he became a U.S. Senator from 1979 to 1997.
In the Senate, he was the Republican whip from 1985 to 1995. This role means he helped lead his party. He also co-chaired an important group called the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. This group worked on ideas to improve the nation's finances.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Alan Simpson was born in Denver, Colorado, on September 2, 1931. His father, Milward Simpson, was also a well-known politician. Alan had an older brother, Pete Simpson, who became a historian and also served in the Wyoming House of Representatives.
Alan Simpson graduated from Cody High School in 1949. He then attended Cranbrook School for a year. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wyoming in 1954.
After college, Simpson served in the United States Army in Germany from 1955 to 1956. He then returned to the University of Wyoming College of Law, graduating in 1958. He became a lawyer and later the city attorney for Cody, Wyoming.
Political Career
Alan Simpson began his political career in 1964. He was elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives. He represented Park County, Wyoming and even served as the speaker pro tempore, a leadership role. He left this position in 1977 to prepare for a bigger role.
Serving in the U.S. Senate
Simpson was elected to the United States Senate in 1978. He officially started his term on January 1, 1979. He served three terms, which is 18 years, until 1997.
In the Senate, Simpson held several important positions:
- He was the Republican whip from 1985 to 1995. This meant he helped organize votes and keep his party united.
- He chaired the United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs twice. This committee works on issues important to military veterans.
- He also led subcommittees on immigration, nuclear regulation, and social security.
Key Issues and Actions
Simpson was known for his moderate views. He worked on several important laws during his time in the Senate.
He helped create the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. This law aimed to control illegal immigration. It also offered legal status to some immigrants who had arrived earlier.
Simpson was a Boy Scout in his youth. He became friends with Norman Mineta, a Japanese American Boy Scout. Mineta and his family were held in internment camps during World War II. This friendship led Simpson to support the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. This law provided reparations (payments) to Japanese Americans who were unfairly interned.
Simpson also voted to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a federal holiday in 1983.
After the Senate
After leaving the Senate in 1997, Alan Simpson continued to be active. He taught at Harvard University and served as the Director of the Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School.
He returned to Cody, Wyoming, and practiced law with his sons. His son, Colin M. Simpson, also became a politician in Wyoming. Alan Simpson also taught at his old university, the University of Wyoming.
In 2006, Simpson was part of the Iraq Study Group. This group gave advice on the situation in Iraq.
Working on National Finances
In 2010, President Barack Obama asked Simpson to co-chair the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. He worked with Erskine Bowles to find ways to improve the nation's financial health. They focused on how government spending affects future generations.
Simpson also spoke out about campaign finance. He believed there should be limits on how much money can be spent in elections. He joined groups that wanted to change the Constitution of the United States to allow for such limits.
Supporting LGBTQ+ Rights
Alan Simpson supported LGBTQ+ rights. In 2001, he became the Honorary Chairman of the Republican Unity Coalition. This group worked to support gay and straight people within the Republican Party. He also spoke against the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy, which affected gay people in the military.
Civic Involvement
Simpson was involved in many civic groups. He was on the board of the National Institute for Civil Discourse. This institute works to improve respectful discussions in politics. He also supported organizations like Wings of Hope and Issue One, which aim to reduce the influence of money in politics.
Personal Life and Death
In 1954, Alan Simpson married Susan Ann Schroll. They had three children: William, Colin, and Susan.
Alan Simpson passed away on March 14, 2025, in Cody, Wyoming, at the age of 93.
Recognition and Awards
Alan Simpson received several honors for his public service:
- In 1998, he received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
- In 2011, he and Erskine Bowles received the Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government.
- In 2022, President Joe Biden awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is one of the highest civilian awards in the United States.
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Works
- Right in the Old Gazoo: A Lifetime of Scrapping with the Press. (William Morrow & Company, 1997). ISBN: 0-688-11358-3.
See also
In Spanish: Alan Simpson para niños
