Bill Young (Florida politician)

Bill Young (Florida politician) was a Republican politician who represented Florida's 13th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1971 until his death in 2013. At the time of his death, he was the longest-serving Republican member of Congress.

Young was born in Harmarville, Pennsylvania. He served in the Florida National Guard before entering politics. He was first elected to the Florida State Senate in 1960, where he served for 10 years.

In 1970, Young was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He consistently won re-election, often by significant margins. During his tenure in Congress, Young served on the House Appropriations Committee, and eventually became its chairman. He was known for his focus on military and veterans' affairs, as well as his advocacy for his constituents in Pinellas County, Florida.

Young was a strong supporter of the military and national security. He played a key role in securing funding for MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa and for various military programs. He also worked on legislation related to veterans' healthcare and benefits.

Bill Young died on October 18, 2013, after battling chronic back problems. His death led to a special election to fill his seat in Congress, which was won by David Jolly. Young's legacy is marked by his long and dedicated service to the state of Florida and the United States, particularly his work on behalf of the military and veterans.