Bill Alexander (American politician)
Bill Alexander | |
---|---|
House Democratic Chief Deputy Whip | |
In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1987 | |
Leader | Tip O'Neill |
Preceded by | Dan Rostenkowski |
Succeeded by | David Bonior |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas's 1st district | |
In office January 3, 1969 – January 3, 1993 | |
Preceded by | Ezekiel C. Gathings |
Succeeded by | Blanche Lincoln |
Personal details | |
Born | William Vollie Alexander Jr. January 16, 1934 J.A.G. Corps |
William Vollie Alexander Jr. (born January 16, 1934) is an American retired politician who represented the U.S. state of Arkansas in the United States House of Representatives from 1969 to 1993, rising to the post of Chief Deputy Majority Whip.
Early life and education
Alexander was born in
He attended the
Career
He subsequently
Alexander practiced law in Memphis and Osceola, was a commissioner on the Arkansas Waterways Commission, and secretary of the Osceola Port Authority.
Congress
He was elected as a Democrat from Arkansas's 1st congressional district in 1968, succeeding thirty-year incumbent Ezekiel C. "Took" Gathings, who retired, and would subsequently be reelected eleven additional times. In the House, he served in the Democratic leadership as Chief Deputy Majority Whip from 1981 to 1987, and was a member of the House Appropriations Committee, where he was active on issues involving agriculture, energy and foreign trade.[1][2]
In 1992, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette published a story accusing Alexander of misusing campaign funds, although these transactions were later found to be legal. Nonetheless, he was defeated for re-nomination by a wide margin by Blanche Lambert (later to be known as Blanche Lincoln), a former staff assistant to Alexander, who went on to win the general election in November.[1]
Retirement
Alexander and his wife, Debi Alexander, today live in Reston, Virginia.[1] They have two children, William Phillips Alexander and Ashely Semmes Alexander.
References
- ^ a b c d Goss, Kay C. "William Vollie (Bill) Alexander Jr. (1934–)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- ^ a b "ALEXANDER, William Vollie (Bill), Jr. (1934-)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
External links
- United States Congress. "Bill Alexander (id: A000103)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- "Alexander, William Vollie (Bill) Jr". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2006-07-11.
- Appearances on C-SPAN