A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable Alan K. Simpson, former Senator for the State of Wyoming.
This is a Senate resolution honoring the life and public service of the Honorable Alan K. Simpson, former United States Senator from Wyoming. The resolution provides a detailed biographical sketch, highlighting Simpson’s early life in Cody, Wyoming; his education and military service; his long career in public service (Wyoming House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, including leadership roles such as Majority/Minority Whip and Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee); and his policy priorities (border security/immigration, veterans, entitlement reform, and the national debt). It also notes honors and affiliations, such as his work on the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, the Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The resolution conveys the Senate’s sorrow personally and formally and directs the Secretary of the Senate to communicate with the House and to transmit an enrolled copy to Simpson’s family. It further states that the Senate will adjourn in memory of Simpson on the date of adoption. In short, the bill is a ceremonial tribute recognizing Simpson’s life, service, and legacy, with no policy or statutory changes and no anticipated fiscal impact.
Key Points
- 1Biographical overview: Alan Kooi Simpson, born September 2, 1931, in Denver; raised in Cody, Wyoming; family with a history of public service; education at the University of Wyoming (BS, JD) and a period of Army service (1954–1956).
- 2Public service career: Served in the Wyoming House of Representatives (1965–1978) and in the U.S. Senate (1979–1997); held leadership roles including Senate Majority Whip (1985–1987) and Senate Minority Whip (1987–1995); chaired the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (1981–1985, 1995–1997).
- 3Policy emphasis in his career: Strong focus on border security/immigration, support for veterans, entitlement reform, and addressing the national debt.
- 4Recognitions and honors: Appointed by President Obama as co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (2010); recipient of the Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government; awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022.
- 5Related institutions and legacies: Support for the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation (including the Mineta-Simpson Institute), and university initiatives at the University of Wyoming and the American Heritage Center named in his honor (e.g., Alan K. Simpson Center for Clinical and Experiential Learning; Alan K. Simpson Institute for Western Politics and Leadership).
- 6Procedural elements: The Senate expresses sorrow, requests communication of the resolution to the House, and transmittal of an enrolled copy to Simpson’s family; the Senate will adjourn in memory of Simpson on the date of adoption.