Alan K. Simpson

Date of Birth: September 2, 1931

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Biography

Alan Kooi Simpson is an American politician and attorney who served as a United States Senator from Wyoming from 1979 to 1997. Born in Denver, Colorado, and raised in Cody, Wyoming, Simpson comes from a family with a strong political background; his father, Milward L. Simpson, served as both a U.S. Senator and Governor of Wyoming. After graduating from the University of Wyoming with a law degree, he practiced law in his hometown before entering politics. Simpson’s political career began in the Wyoming House of Representatives, where he served from 1965 to 1977. He then successfully ran for the U.S. Senate, where he became known for his straightforward and sometimes blunt speaking style. During his time in the Senate, Simpson was involved in a multitude of legislative initiatives, particularly focusing on immigration, veterans’ affairs, and social security reform. He was also known for his bipartisan approach, often working across the aisle to achieve legislative goals. After retiring from the Senate, Simpson continued to be an influential voice in public policy, serving as co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, also known as the Simpson-Bowles Commission, under President Barack Obama.

5 Interesting Facts about Alan K. Simpson

1. Alan Simpson served as the Senate Majority Whip from 1985 to 1995.

2. He was a member of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, commonly known as the Simpson-Bowles Commission, in 2010.

3. Simpson has been an outspoken advocate for fiscal responsibility and has frequently spoken about the dangers of the national debt.

4. He co-authored a book with his brother, Pete Simpson, titled “Right in the Old Gazoo: A Lifetime of Scrapping with the Press.”

5. Simpson is well-known for his sense of humor and often used wit to disarm his political opponents.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Alan K. Simpson

1. “If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters.”

2. “The word ‘politics’ is derived from the word ‘poly,’ meaning ‘many,’ and the word ‘ticks,’ meaning ‘blood-sucking parasites.’”

3. “A society which scorns excellence in plumbing as a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy. Neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water.”

4. “When you’re in politics, you’re in a washtub of slop, and every now and then you’ll get a clean spot on you. That’s the best you can hope for.”

5. “You can’t hate your opponent and get anything done.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Alan Simpson’s net worth was estimated to be around $3 million.

Children

Alan K. Simpson and his wife Ann Schroll have three children: Colin Simpson, Susan Simpson, and William Simpson. Colin Simpson followed in his father’s footsteps and became a member of the Wyoming House of Representatives.