Steve Cohen: “Last Friday, I became aware of the death of a great United States Congressman, Bill Young, from Florida. Mr. Young was…”

“Last Friday, I became aware of the death of a great United States Congressman, Bill Young, from Florida. Mr. Young was the senior Republican Member, who served in this House since 1970. He was a gentle soul, congenial, friendly--always nice to me. I asked him to join with me in the Tourette Syndrome Caucus, and he did. He was one of the founding members. He was a leader in seeking funds for biomedical research, which doubled during the time in which he was the chairman of the Appropriations Committee. He understood earmarks were the responsibility of this Congress, and he fought for them and supported them. He was close friends with John Murtha, and I was proud to serve and to know both of them. Both men were in the military reserve, and both men towards the end of their careers recognized that war was wrong in places where they had previously been for it--John Murtha in Iraq, and, in 2012, Mr. Young said that it is time to get out of Afghanistan. A great leader has passed. His funeral will be tomorrow in the State of Florida. I was proud to know him. This country was fortunate to have him serve in this body. ____________________”