About Congressman Young
Background: Congressman Bill Young was born in a small town in Pennsylvania on December 16, 1930. When he was 15, he moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where he took odd jobs to help his family meet ends before becoming an insurance salesman and running for political office. He was first elected to the Florida legislature and then to the U.S. Congress.
In Congress: Congressman Young has represented Florida in Congress for over 36 years. Of all the 435 members of the House of Representatives, Congressman Young is the longest serving Republican! He is a senior member and former Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, which decides how to spend federal money on things like better schools, cleaner rivers, and improved roads.
A Day In Washington: During a typical day, Congressman Young attends committee hearings, discusses legislation, meets with Floridians who are visiting Washington and votes on the House floor. Sometimes he even visits the White House to talk with the president! During his time in Congress, he has worked on many issues, such as improving conditions for our armed forces and helping children with leukemia find a marrow donor so that they might enjoy long, healthy lives.
Family: Congressman Young and his wife, Beverly, have three sons: Rob, Billy and Patrick
Fun facts about Florida
• Florida has had six Constitutions since it became a state. The first Constitution was drafted in Saint Joseph, now known as Port St. Joe. Presently Florida is governed by the Constitution of 1968, as subsequently amended.
• The total land area of Florida is 54,252 square miles. The total water area is 4,308 square miles.
• Florida has been home to such famed writers as Ernest Hemingway, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, and Tennessee Williams.
• The first reusable spacecraft, the space shuttle Columbia, was launched on its maiden voyage on April 12, 1981.
• Juan Ponce de Leon came ashore on the northeast coast of Florida sometime between April 2 and April 8, 1513. He called the area la Florida, in honor of Pascua florida (“feast of the flowers”), a popular celebration held in Spain around Easter.
• Saint Augustine is the oldest European settlement in North America.
• Snow fell in Dade County on January 20, 1977.
• Dr. John Gorrie of Apalachicola patented the process of making ice artificially in 1851.
• The St. John’s River is one of the few rivers that flows north instead of south, and at 273 miles in length, it’s Florida's longest river.
• In 1937, Amelia Earhart took off from Miami for an around-the-world flight and was never seen again.
• The first commercial airline service between two U.S. cities was established between St. Petersburg and Tampa in 1914.
• DeFuniak Springs is home to one of the two naturally round lakes in the world.
• Ft. Lauderdale is known as the Venice of America because it has 185 miles of local waterways.
• Florida’s highest natural point is 345 feet, located near Lakewood in Walton County.
