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'''Allen B. West''' (born February 7, 1961) is a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] from {{ushr|FL|22}}, serving since January 2011. He is the first [[African-American]] Republican Congressman from Florida since [[Josiah T. Walls]] in 1876.<ref>{{cite news | title = Minority candidates rack up poll history | date = 2010-11-03 | url = http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/97219 | work = London Morning Star | accessdate = 2010-11-03 | quote = In Florida Allen West is the first black Republican elected to Congress from Florida since a former slave served two terms in the 1870s.}}</ref>
'''Allen B. "Moolie" West''' (born February 7, 1961) is a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] from {{ushr|FL|22}}, serving since January 2011. He is the first [[African-American]] Republican Congressman from Florida since [[Josiah T. Walls]] in 1876.<ref>{{cite news | title = Minority candidates rack up poll history | date = 2010-11-03 | url = http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/97219 | work = London Morning Star | accessdate = 2010-11-03 | quote = In Florida Allen West is the first black Republican elected to Congress from Florida since a former slave served two terms in the 1870s.}}</ref>


West served in the Army in [[Iraq]] and was a civilian adviser in [[Afghanistan]]. He achieved the rank of [[commissioned officer|Lieutenant Colonel]] in the [[United States Army]] but retired after an investigation of his conduct during the interrogation of a detainee in [[Taji, Iraq]].<ref name="globe" />
West served in the Army in [[Iraq]] and was a civilian adviser in [[Afghanistan]]. He achieved the rank of [[commissioned officer|Lieutenant Colonel]] in the [[United States Army]] but retired after an investigation of his conduct during the interrogation of a detainee in [[Taji, Iraq]].<ref name="globe" />

Revision as of 23:24, 12 February 2011

Allen West
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 22nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2011
Preceded byRon Klein
Personal details
Born (1961-02-07) February 7, 1961 (age 63)[1]
Atlanta, Georgia[1]
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Angela West, MBA, PhD
Residence(s)Plantation, Florida, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Tennessee (B.A., political science, 1983)
Kansas State University (M.A., political science, 1986)
U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officer College (Master of Military Arts and Sciences in political theory, military history and operations, 1997)[2]
Awards Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
WebsiteAllenWestForCongress.com
Military service
AllegianceUnited States of America
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1982–2004
RankLieutenant Colonel
Commands2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Division
Battles/warsOperation Desert Storm
Operation Iraqi Freedom

Allen B. "Moolie" West (born February 7, 1961) is a Republican U.S. Representative from Florida's 22nd congressional district, serving since January 2011. He is the first African-American Republican Congressman from Florida since Josiah T. Walls in 1876.[4]

West served in the Army in Iraq and was a civilian adviser in Afghanistan. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army but retired after an investigation of his conduct during the interrogation of a detainee in Taji, Iraq.[5]

Early life

Allen West was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Herman and Elizabeth West. His father and older brother were both career military, while his mother was a civilian employee of the United States Marine Corps. West joined the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program in the 10th grade and entered the US Army in 1983 after he graduated from the University of Tennessee. West was the third of four consecutive generations in his family to serve in the United States armed forces.[6]

West received his bachelor of arts degree from University of Tennessee and his master's degree in political science from Kansas State University. He also earned a master of military arts and sciences degree from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officer College in political theory and military history and operations.[2]

Military career (1983–2004)

Overview

West entered active duty on November 1, 1983, at Fort Sill then attended the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course. He then completed airborne training at Fort Benning. West's first assignment was as an airborne infantry company fire support team leader and battalion training officer in the 325th Airborne Battalion Combat Team. He was promoted to captain in 1987 and graduated from the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course.[citation needed] West was next assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, commanding B Battery, 6th Field Artillery Regiment. He was a Battalion Task Force fire support officer for 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. As a member of the 1st Infantry Division, he participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.[citation needed]

After redeployment from Kuwait, West served as an Army ROTC instructor at Kansas State University from 1991 to 1994. In January 1995 he was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division Support Command as the assistant operations/combat plans officer. West was promoted to major and attended the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in 1997. Upon completion, he became operations officer for the 18th Field Artillery Brigade before being assigned as executive officer of the 1st Battalion, 377th Field Artillery Regiment. West was an Army exchange officer at the II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune from 1999 to 2002.[citation needed]

He became battalion commander of the 2d Battalion 20th Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Division on June 6, 2002. He held this position until his retirement from the Army.[7]

Iraq interrogation incident

While serving in Taji, Iraq, on August 20, 2003, West was in charge of the interrogation of Yahya Jhodri Hamoodi, a civilian Iraqi police officer suspected of having information about attacks on American troops in the area.[8] Interrogators had been informed the detainee knew about a planned ambush. When the detainee refused to talk, LTC West was asked to assist. Hamoodi continued to withhold information, and West was accused of firing his pistol past the prisoner's head, frightening him into talking. According to West's sworn statement,[5] the detainee told West:

[The attack] was to occur Friday morning in Saba al Boor vicinity of the police station by positioned snipers supposedly being brought in from Fallujah. [The detainee] was to ID my vehicle and myself for these rooftop firers. We took this information and the following day established flask CPs and used AH-64s overhead. There was no attack and no further attacks have emanated from the town since the apprehension of [the detainee] and his named associates.

At least one suspect was arrested as a result of the information obtained through the detainee's information. The suspect's home was searched, but no plans for attacks or weapons were found. West testified he did not know if "any corroboration" of a plot was ever found. He added: "At the time I had to base my decision on the intelligence I received. It's possible that I was wrong about Mr. Hamoodi."[9]

West, who had completed almost 22 years of active service, was charged with violating articles 128 (assault) and 134 (general article) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. He was processed through an Article 32 hearing in November 2003, where he admitted he was wrong to fire the pistol and was fined $5,000. LTC West accepted the judgment and retired with full benefits in the summer of 2004.[10]

Post-military career (2004–2010)

At his hearing, West had been asked by his defense attorney if he would fire his pistol again under similar circumstances. He replied: "If it's about the lives of my men and their safety, I'd go through hell with a gasoline can," he said.[5] West pointed out that there were no further ambushes against American forces in Taji until he was relieved of his leadership post on October 4."[5] After West's forced retirement was made public, he received more than two thousand letters and e-mails offering him moral support.[9] Furthermore, a letter supporting West was signed by ninety-five members of Congress and sent to the Secretary of the Army.[9]

In September 2010, West spoke in defense of a group of U.S. military personnel known as the "Leavenworth 10" who were convicted of war crimes.[11]

After retiring from the Army, West moved his family to Florida and taught high school for a year.[9] He then worked as a contractor for the Department of Defense in Afghanistan and in the United States until December 2010.[citation needed]

2008 U.S. Congressional campaign

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Florida, 2008 § District 22

On May 29, 2007, West was the Republican candidate for Congress in Florida's 22nd congressional district, unsuccessfully challenging incumbent Congressman Ron Klein for that seat in the November 2008 elections. He was defeated by almost 9% of the vote.[12]

2010 U.S. Congressional campaign

West speaking at the 2010 CPAC.
See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Florida, 2010 § District 22

West spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference on February 20, 2010 and was endorsed by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.[13] As one of 32 African-American Republican candidates for Congress in 2010, West said he supported the Tea Party movement and dismissed the notion of alleged "racism" as a creation of liberal critics and the news media.[14]

West ran in the November 2, 2010, election and defeated incumbent Ron Klein by almost 9% to win the congressional seat for District 22. West, along with newly elected Tim Scott, will be the first African-American Republicans in Congress since J.C. Watts retired in 2003.[15]

West raised $5.4 million for his campaign, while his incumbent opponent raised only $2.5 million. West stated: "...over 97 percent of our donations have come from individual contributions."[16][17]

U.S. House of Representatives

Committees

West has been appointed to the House Armed Services Committee and the Small-Business Committee.[18]

Tenure

In January 2011, West joined House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fl) in condemning the official flying of a PLO flag in Washington. The office of Rep. West said that the raising of the flag is "an attempt to legitimize an organization with a known history of terrorist actions".[19]

West has criticized Islam during his campaign and tenure in politics. He called Minnesota Representative Keith Ellison as an "antithesis" to the U.S. Constitution because he was Muslim, according to an interview with Israel's Shalom TV.[20] In a Boynton Beach Town Hall meeting, West told the Miami leader of the Council of American-Islamic Relations that "I will always defend your right to practice a free religion under the First Amendment, but what you must understand, if I am speaking the truth, I am not going to stop speaking the truth. The truth is not subjective."[21]

Awards

West's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters); Army Commendation Medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters, one Valor Device); Army Achievement Medal (one Oak Leaf Cluster); Valorous Unit Award; Air Assault Badge; and the Parachutist Badge.[citation needed]

West has received the following service medals and ribbons: National Defense Service Medal (with bronze star device); Southwest Asia Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Army Overseas Service Ribbon (multiple awards); Saudi Arabia Kuwait Liberation Medal W/Palm Tree and Kuwait Liberation Medal[citation needed]

In January 2004, the conservative online political magazine FrontPage Magazine named Allen West its Man of the Year.[22]

Comments on WikiLeaks

On December 7, 2010 West appeared during an interview on the African-American Conservative blog radio and said:

... I think that we also should be [censuring/censoring] the American news agencies which enabled [Julian Assange] to be able to do this and then also supporting him and applauding him for the efforts. So that’s kind of aiding and abetting of a serious crime. This is espionage. And I think we need to take it very seriously.[23]

Some reports quoted West as using the word "censor" in these comments[24] while West later said on his Facebook page:

I am heard on the African American Conservative Radio Show saying the media should be censured—meaning ‘harshly criticized.’ In no way would I ever ask to ‘censor’ anyone or any organization.[25][26]

Personal life

West lives in Plantation, Florida, with his wife, Angela Graham West, and their two children.

Electoral history

Main article: United States House of Representatives elections, 2010
2008 22nd Congressional District of Florida Elections
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ron Klein (incumbent) 169,041 54.7
Republican Allen West 140,104 45.3
2010 22nd Congressional District of Florida Elections
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Allen West 115,411 54.3
Democratic Ron Klein (incumbent) 97,051 45.7

References

  1. ^ a b "Guide to the New Congress" (PDF). CQ Roll Call. 2010-11-04. Retrieved 2010-11-24.
  2. ^ a b "About Allen West". Allen West for Congress. 2010-09-01. Retrieved 2010-11-10.
  3. ^ Ferguson, Ellyn (November 6, 2010). "112th Congress: Allen West, R-Fla. (22nd District)". Congressional Quarterly. Retrieved November 7, 2010.
  4. ^ "Minority candidates rack up poll history". London Morning Star. 2010-11-03. Retrieved 2010-11-03. In Florida Allen West is the first black Republican elected to Congress from Florida since a former slave served two terms in the 1870s.
  5. ^ a b c d Department of the Army, 43rd Military Police Detachment (CID)(FWD), 10th Military Police Battalion, United States Army Criminal Investigation Command (February 6, 2004). "Memorandum, Subject: CID Report Of Investigation – Final – 0152-03-CID469-60212-5C1A/5C2/5T1" (PDF). Retrieved September 28, 2010. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Man, Anthony (December 4, 2010). "Allen West: from controversy to Congress". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
  7. ^ "Iraq: The Inside Story By Lieutenant Colonel Allen West". OpinionBug.com. 2004-10-16. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  8. ^ Moore, Art (December 12, 2003). "Lt. Col. West fined $5,000". WorldNetDaily. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
  9. ^ a b c d Sontag, Deborah; Fisher, Ian (May 27, 2004). "The Struggle For Iraq: Interrogations; How Colonel Risked His Career By Menacing Detainee and Lost". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 18 November 2010. Retrieved October 16, 2010. In western Broward County, where Lt. Col. Allen B. West, 43, is preparing to start life over as a high school social studies teacher...
  10. ^ "U.S. officer fined for harsh interrogation tactics". CNN. 2003-12-13. Retrieved 2007-06-21. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  11. ^ Glynn, Earl (5 September 2010). "'Leavenworth 10' families tell their stories". KansasWatchdog.org. Archived from the original on 12 November 2010.
  12. ^ Rachel Kapochunas (2007-05-31). "GOP Targets Well-Funded Florida Freshman". Yahoo News. Retrieved 2007-06-21. [dead link]
  13. ^ Bennett, George (2010-03-30). "Sarah Palin promotes Allen West's challenge of Democratic U.S. Rep. Ron Klein". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2010-12-08. On her Facebook page, former GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is supporting Republican congressional candidate Allen West and two other military veterans running for Congress. Palin doesn't mention West's opponent, U.S. Rep. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, by name, but calls the two-term incumbent "a leftwing ideologue who's marched to the beat of Nancy Pelosi on every issue from cap-and-tax to the stimulus, TARP, and, of course, Obamacare."
  14. ^ Steinhauer, Jennifer (May 4, 2010). "Black Hopefuls Pick This Year in G.O.P. Races". The New York Times. Arthur O. Sulzberger. Retrieved November 3, 2010. Among the many reverberations of President Obama's election,...
  15. ^ NPR It's All Politics, James, Frank [1], Black GOP Lawmakers Face Tricky Relations With Democrats, January 4, 2011.
  16. ^ Isenstadt, Alex. "Allen West rakes in $1.6M". Politico.com. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
  17. ^ "Congressional Elections: Florida District 22 Race: 2010 Cycle". OpenSecrets. Archived from the original on 16 November 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
  18. ^ Derby, Kevin (2010-12-20). "Florida's New Republicans in Congress Get Committee Assignments". Sunshine State News. Retrieved 2010-12-20. Incoming Republican U.S. Rep. Allen West, who defeated Democrat U.S. Rep. Ron Klein in November, is headed to the House Armed Services Committee – a natural fit for West, a retired Army officer who served in Iraq. West also received a seat on the Small-Business Committee.
  19. ^ Wallman, Brittany (January 19, 2011). "New congressman Rep. Allen West denounces raising of PLO flag". Sun Sentinel Blogs. Retrieved 2011-01-25.
  20. ^ Herb, Jeremy (January 24, 2011). "Rep. West: Ellison "antithesis" of country's founding principles". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  21. ^ CAmia, Catalina (February 2, 2011). "GOP Rep. Allen West draws fire for Muslim comments". USA Today. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  22. ^ Johnson, Ben (January 2, 2004). "FrontPage Magazine's Man of the Year: Col. Allen B. West". FrontPage Magazine. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  23. ^ "Congressman-Elect Allen West and Gray Lady Down Author William McGowan 12/7/2010 – AACONS". Blog Talk Radio. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  24. ^ Fang, Lee (December 14, 2010). "Newly-Elected Rep. Allen West: 'We Should Be Censoring The American News Agencies Which Enabled' WikiLeaks". ThinkProgess. Center for American Progress Action Fund. Retrieved December 24, 2010.
  25. ^ Facebook (2010-12-15),[2]. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
  26. ^ "WikiLeaks' Julian Assange Guilty of Espionage (Though No Need for 'Censorship'), Allen West Tells 'AACONS' Host Marie Stroughter". BlogTalkRadio. Retrieved December 17, 2010.


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