History of Alan Simpson (American politician) in Timeline
Alan Kooi Simpson is an American politician from Wyoming, notable for his long tenure in the U.S. Senate from 1979 to 1997 as a Republican. He held the influential position of Republican whip for a decade, serving as majority whip (1985-1987) and then as minority whip (1987-1995). Beyond his Senate leadership, Simpson co-chaired the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, working alongside Erskine Bowles to address fiscal challenges.
September 2, 1931: Alan Simpson's Birth
On September 2, 1931, Alan Kooi Simpson was born. He would later become a prominent American politician from Wyoming.
1949: Simpson Graduates High School
In 1949, Alan Simpson graduated from Cody High School in Cody, Wyoming.
1950: Simpson Attends Cranbrook School
In 1950, Alan Simpson attended Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, for a postgraduate year.
1951: Reference to Science Fiction Film
The year 1951 marked the release of the science fiction film 'The Day the Earth Stood Still,' which was referenced in response to claims about Alan Simpson being an alien.
1954: Simpson Graduates from the University of Wyoming
In 1954, Alan Simpson graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science degree.
1954: Simpson Marries Susan Ann Schroll
In 1954, Alan Simpson married Susan Ann Schroll.
1955: Simpson Serves in US Army
From 1955, Alan Simpson served in the United States Army in Germany.
1956: Simpson Ends Service in US Army
In 1956, Alan Simpson ended his service in the United States Army in Germany.
1958: Simpson Graduates with Juris Doctor
In 1958, Alan Simpson graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Juris Doctor degree.
1958: Simpson Graduates Law School
In 1958, Alan Simpson graduated from the University of Wyoming's law school.
1962: Father Served in Senate
Milward Simpson, Alan Simpson's father, served in the US Senate from 1962.
1964: Simpson Elected to Wyoming House
In 1964, Alan Simpson was first elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives.
1965: Simpson Joins Wyoming House of Representatives
In 1965, Alan Simpson started serving in the Wyoming House of Representatives.
1967: Father Ends Term in Senate
Milward Simpson, Alan Simpson's father, ended his term in the US Senate in 1967.
November 10, 1977: Resignation from Wyoming House
On November 10, 1977, Alan Simpson resigned from the Wyoming House of Representatives.
1977: Simpson Ends Service in Wyoming House
In 1977, Alan Simpson concluded his service in the Wyoming House of Representatives.
November 7, 1978: Simpson Elected to the United States Senate
On November 7, 1978, Alan Simpson was elected to the United States Senate.
1978: Simpson to Run for US Senate
In 1978, Alan Simpson to Run for US Senate.
January 1, 1979: Simpson Appointed to US Senate
On January 1, 1979, Alan Simpson was appointed to the United States Senate following Clifford Hansen's resignation.
1979: Simpson Joins the US Senate
In 1979, Alan Simpson became a member of the United States Senate, representing Wyoming.
1981: Simpson Chairs Veterans' Affairs Committee
From 1981, Alan Simpson chaired the United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
1981: Brother Serves in Wyoming House
In 1981, Pete Simpson, Alan's older brother, served in the Wyoming House of Representatives.
1984: Brother Ends Term in Wyoming House
In 1984, Pete Simpson, Alan's older brother, finished his term in the Wyoming House of Representatives.
1985: Simpson Becomes Republican Whip
In 1985, Alan Simpson assumed the role of Republican whip in the U.S. Senate.
1986: Brother Runs for Governor
In 1986, Pete Simpson, Alan Simpson's older brother, was the Republican gubernatorial nominee.
1987: Simpson Becomes Minority Whip
In 1987, Alan Simpson became the minority whip in the U.S. Senate.
1987: Voted on Civil Rights Restoration Act
In 1987, Alan Simpson initially voted in favor of the Civil Rights Restoration Act but then voted to sustain Ronald Reagan's veto.
1988: Considered for Vice Presidency
In 1988, Alan Simpson was reportedly considered by George H. W. Bush for the vice presidency.
1993: Simpson Appears in Film
In 1993, Alan Simpson played himself in a cameo appearance for the film Dave.
June 7, 1994: Simpson Labeled as Alien
On June 7, 1994, the Weekly World News reported that Alan Simpson was an alien from another planet.
1995: Lost Whip's Job
In 1995, Alan Simpson lost the whip's job to Trent Lott of Mississippi.
1995: Simpson Offers Entitlement Program Advice
In 1995, Alan Simpson told Matt Miller that change in entitlement programs requires pressure from young people.
1995: Voted Against Late-Term Abortion Ban
In 1995, Alan Simpson voted against a ban on late-term abortions without an exception for physical health.
1995: Simpson Serves as Republican Whip
In 1995, Alan Simpson was the Republican whip, Assistant Republican Leader in the Senate.
1995: Simpson Ends Term as Senate Republican Whip
In 1995, Alan Simpson's tenure as Senate Republican Whip concluded.
1996: Simpson Declined Re-election
In 1996, Alan Simpson chose not to seek re-election after serving three terms in the Senate.
1996: Voted Against Late-Term Abortion Ban
In 1996, Alan Simpson voted against a ban on late-term abortions without an exception for physical health.
1997: Simpson Taught at Harvard
From 1997, Alan Simpson taught at the Shorenstein Center at Harvard University's Kennedy School.
1997: Simpson Chairs Veterans' Affairs Committee Again
In 1997, Alan Simpson chaired the United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs again.
1997: Simpson Ends Term in US Senate
In 1997, Alan Simpson's tenure as a member of the United States Senate concluded.
1998: Received Golden Plate Award
In 1998, Alan Simpson received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.
2000: Simpson Ends Role at Harvard
In 2000, Alan Simpson ended his role at Harvard University's Kennedy School.
2001: Honorary Chairman of Republican Unity Coalition
In 2001, Alan Simpson became the Honorary Chairman of the Republican Unity Coalition (RUC).
2002: Involved in Gubernatorial Primary
In 2002, Alan Simpson was involved in the Wyoming Republican gubernatorial primary on behalf of Eli Bebout.
2006: Contributor to Iraq Study Group Report
In 2006, Alan Simpson was one of the contributors to the Iraq Study Group Report.
2008: Son Becomes Speaker of the House
In 2008, Colin M. Simpson became Speaker of the House for the 59th session of the Legislature.
March 2010: Son's End of Term as Speaker
In March 2010, Colin M. Simpson's term as Speaker of the House for the 59th session of the Legislature ended.
2010: Co-Chairs National Commission
In 2010, Alan Simpson was appointed to co-chair President Obama's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform with Erskine Bowles.
2010: Appointed to National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
In 2010, President Barack Obama appointed Alan Simpson to co-chair the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.
2011: Presented Paul H. Douglas Award
In 2011, Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles were presented the Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government.
June 13, 2012: Miller Recounts Simpson's Words
On June 13, 2012, Matt Miller recounted Alan Simpson's words on fixing entitlement programs in The Washington Post.
December 2012: Simpson Films "Gangnam Style" Video
In December 2012, Alan Simpson filmed a "Gangnam Style" video for a campaign called "The Can Kicks Back."
2016: Joined Advisory Board of American Promise
In 2016, Alan Simpson joined the advisory board of American Promise, advocating for an amendment on campaign finance.
2017: No Longer Tallest Senator
In 2017, Alan Simpson was overtaken as the tallest Senator in United States history by Luther Strange.
July 1, 2022: Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
On July 1, 2022, it was announced that Alan Simpson would be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
2022: Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2022, Alan Simpson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
December 2024: Simpson Broke Hip
In December 2024, Alan Simpson broke a hip and never fully recovered.
March 14, 2025: Alan Simpson's Death
On March 14, 2025, Alan Kooi Simpson passed away. He was an American politician from Wyoming.
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