William Proxmire

Date of Birth: November 11, 1915

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: December 15, 2005

Biography

William Proxmire was an American politician who served as a Democratic U.S. Senator from Wisconsin from 1957 to 1989. Known for his dedication to fiscal responsibility and his tireless efforts to eliminate government waste, Proxmire gained national recognition for his monthly “Golden Fleece Awards,” which highlighted egregious examples of wasteful government spending. Born in Lake Forest, Illinois, Proxmire attended Yale University and later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. Before entering politics, he worked as a journalist and a business executive. Proxmire’s political career began in the Wisconsin State Assembly, where he served from 1951 to 1952. His persistence eventually led him to win a special election to the U.S. Senate in 1957, filling the seat vacated by the death of Joseph McCarthy. Throughout his tenure, Proxmire was known for his independence, often taking positions that put him at odds with both his party and the presidents under whom he served. He was a staunch advocate for consumer rights, banking reform, and the fight against government waste. Proxmire chose not to seek re-election in 1988 and retired from the Senate in 1989. He continued to live in Wisconsin until his death in 2005.

5 Interesting Facts about William Proxmire

1. William Proxmire was awarded the National Press Club’s Consumer Journalism Award for his efforts to protect consumers.

2. He held the record for the longest tenure of any Wisconsin senator until surpassed by Senator Herb Kohl.

3. Proxmire was known for his physical fitness and ran every day, even while serving in the Senate.

4. He famously refused to accept any campaign contributions after his initial election to the Senate.

5. Proxmire was a vocal critic of the Vietnam War and was one of the first senators to call for its end.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from William Proxmire

1. “The last few years have been my happiest. I’m not sure that I could have done it without the discipline of running.”

2. “The more government does, the greater chance it has to waste your money.”

3. “If we don’t know where we’re going, we won’t know when we get there.”

4. “It is much more important to kill bad bills than to pass good ones.”

5. “The Golden Fleece Award is given to the public official who best demonstrates that government waste is alive and well.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

William Proxmire’s highest net worth is not well documented, but it is known that he lived modestly and refused campaign contributions, suggesting that he did not amass significant personal wealth from his political career.