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Rep. C.W. Bill Young (C) speaks to the media after U.S. General David Petraeus testified at a closed hearing of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee meeting on the attack of the American Consulate in Benghazi on Capitol Hill in Washington in this file photo from November 16, 2012. Reuters/Mary F. Calvert
WASHINGTON: Florida congressman Bill Young, the longest serving Republican in the US House of Representatives and an influential voice on defense affairs, died Friday at the age of 82.
His death was announced by his family on his congressional web page.
The cause of death was given as complications from a chronic injury.
In more than four decades on Capitol Hill, Young chaired the Appropriations Committee for six years and later its defense sub-committee.
He was considered a hawk on military spending.
All told he served 22 terms in the House, starting in 1970.
His death came a little more than a week after he announced he would not seek re-election in 2014.
In a statement, President Barack Obama said Young "will be remembered for his advocacy and support for the armed forces, service members and their families."
"As well as his statesmanship and long history of working across the aisle to keep our country moving forward." (AFP)
