Charles J. Colgan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Charles J. Colgan
President pro tempore of the Senate of Virginia
In office January 28, 2014 – June 12, 2014
Preceded by	Walter Stosch
Succeeded by	Walter Stosch
In office January 9, 2008 – January 11, 2012
Preceded by	John Chichester
Succeeded by	Walter Stosch
Member of the Virginia Senate from the 29th district
In office January 14, 1976 – January 13, 2016
Preceded by	H. Selwyn Smith
Succeeded by	Jeremy McPike
Personal details
Born	Charles Joseph Colgan (1926-09-25)September 25, 1926 Frostburg, Maryland, U.S.
Died	January 3, 2017(2017-01-03) (aged 90) Aldie, Virginia, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouses	Agnes Loretto Footen ​ ​ (m. 1948; died 2001)​ Carmen Alicia Bernal ​ ​ (m. 2008; died 2017)​
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	U.S. Army Air Forces United States Air Force
Years of service	1945–1950
Rank	Sergeant
Battles/wars	World War II

Charles Joseph Colgan (born September 25, 1926, died January 3, 2017) was an important American politician and a successful businessman. He served for 40 years in the Senate of Virginia. He represented the 29th district and was briefly the President pro tempore, a high-ranking position in the Senate.

Early Life and Business Career

Growing Up and Military Service

Charles Colgan became an orphan at age five. His grandparents raised him on a farm in Garrett County, Maryland. After finishing high school, Colgan joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in February 1945. He was stationed in Italy, working on maintenance for C-47 planes.

Starting an Airline Business

After his military service, Colgan returned to Maryland. He met and married his wife, Agnes. In 1948, they moved to Washington, D.C. Colgan trained as an airplane mechanic for Capital Airlines. He then earned his commercial pilot's license.

Colgan Air Livery, Saab 340B

In 1964, Colgan moved to Manassas, Virginia. He started his own company, Colgan Air. It began as a flight school and a place for airplane services. By 1968, Colgan expanded his business to include a regional airline. He sold this airline in 1986.

After some time, around 1991, Senator Colgan and his son Mike restarted air service. They used the name Colgan Air again, starting with just one aircraft. Colgan and his family sold the airline in 2007. By then, Colgan Air had grown a lot. It had 1,100 employees and 50 aircraft. It flew 350 flights daily to 53 cities across the Northeast and Texas.

Achievements and Recognition

Charles Colgan received many awards for his work.

• In 1980, he was honored in the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame.
• In 2003, he won the Turboprop Airline Executive of the Year Award. This was for his great work in the airline industry.
• In 2005, the Virginia Transit Association named him Virginia Senator of the Year.
• George Mason University (GMU) honored Colgan in 2011. This was for his efforts in developing the GMU Prince William Campus.
• He received the Northern Virginia Community College Medallion Award. This was for his work in building and improving the college system.
• The Park West Lions Club gave him the Melvin Jones Award. This is their highest award for community service.
• A building at the Northern Virginia Community College Manassas Campus is named Colgan Hall. This honors his work in improving higher education.
• He also received the Fox 5 Hometown Hero Award.
• In August 2016, Prince William County Schools named their 12th high school after him.
• A statue of Senator Colgan was dedicated at Colgan Hall. This is located at the George Mason Campus in Manassas, Virginia.

Political Career

Starting in Public Service

Colgan began serving the public in 1972. He was elected to the Prince William County Board of Supervisors. He served as chairman for one year. In 1975, Colgan was elected to the Virginia State Senate. He won with 61% of the votes. He represented Prince William County, and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.

Working Across the Aisle

Because he had served for so long, Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park received more transportation money than any other area in Virginia from 2005 to 2011. Colgan was known as a moderate Democrat. He was good at working with politicians from both parties. His ability to work together was well-known and respected. One of his closest friends was Harry J. Parrish, a Republican delegate.

On January 11, 2012, Senator Colgan became the longest-serving senator in Virginia history. He had just been sworn in for his tenth term. He was also the last World War II veteran serving in the Virginia Senate.

Retirement

In June 2014, Colgan announced he would retire. He decided not to run for re-election. He left office at 89 years old. Jeremy McPike, a fellow Democrat, took his place.

Key Contributions and Legacy

The Gainesville Interchange (2011) in Progress, 435 million plus in state funds

Improving Transportation

Colgan played a big role in improving transportation in Virginia.

• He helped create the VA 234 bypass around the city of Manassas. This road extends to Dumfries.
• He supported widening Interstate 66 to four lanes from Manassas to Gainesville.
• He helped secure $435 million for the Gainesville interchange (VA 29/I-66).
• He worked to widen Interstate 95 to four lanes.
• He also helped get more rail cars for the VRE.

Supporting Education

Education was another important area for Colgan.

• In 2011, he prevented large cuts to K-12 education spending. This saved $730 million for schools.
• He helped build several buildings at the Manassas and Woodbridge campuses of Northern Virginia Community College.
• He worked to establish the George Mason Prince William Campus.
• He supported the Hylton Center for Performing Arts at the GMU Prince William Campus.
• He passed laws to create the GMU/NIH Research Facility at George Mason University.

Helping Veterans

Colgan also worked to support veterans and their families.

• He introduced laws that provided free college education. This was for children and spouses of police officers, firefighters, and National Guard members who died while on duty.
• He worked to allow local governments to remove property taxes for disabled veterans.

Personal Life

Charles and his first wife, Agnes, had eight children. Agnes passed away in 2001. They also had 24 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Charles Colgan died on January 3, 2017, in Aldie, Virginia. He was 90 years old and passed away from a vascular illness while in hospice care.