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Allen West (politician)

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Allen West
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 22nd district
Assumed office
January 3, 2011
Preceded byRon Klein
Personal details
Born
Allen Bernard West[1]

(1961-02-07) February 7, 1961 (age 63)[2]
Atlanta, Georgia[2]
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAngela West
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)[3]
Awards Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
WebsiteAllen West For Congress
Congressman Allen West
Military service
AllegianceUnited States of America
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1982–2004, 22 years
RankLieutenant Colonel
Commands2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Division
Battles/warsOperation Desert Storm
Operation Iraqi Freedom

Allen Bernard West (born February 7, 1961) is a Republican U.S. Representative who represents Florida's 22nd congressional district, serving since January 2011. He is the first African-American Republican Congressman from Florida since Josiah T. Walls left office in 1876 near the end of Reconstruction.[5]

West served in the army in Iraq and was a civilian adviser in Afghanistan. With 20 plus years of active duty service in the United States Army, he achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel, electing to retire upon threat of an investigation of possible conduct unbecoming an officer during the interrogation of a detainee in Taji, Iraq.[6]

Early life

Allen West was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Herman and Elizabeth West. His father and older brother were both career military officers: His father served in World War II, and his brother served in Vietnam.[7] His mother was a civilian employee of the United States Marine Corps. West joined the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program in the tenth grade and entered the United States Army in 1983 after he graduated from the University of Tennessee. West was a member of the third of four consecutive generations in his family to serve in the United States armed forces.[8]

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.[3]

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.[9] 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.[9]

After redeployment from Kuwait, West served as an Army ROTC instructor at Kansas State University from 1991 to 1994, becoming the US Army ROTC Instructor of the Year in 1993. 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.[9]

He became battalion commander of the 2d Battalion 20th Field Artillery nicknamed "Deep Strike", 4th Infantry Division on June 6, 2002. He held this position until his retirement from the Army.[10]

Iraq interrogation incident

While serving in Taji, Iraq, West received information from an intelligence specialist about a reported plot to ambush him and his men.[11] The alleged plot reportedly involved Yahya Jhodri Hamoodi, a civilian Iraqi police officer.[11] West, who was not responsible for conducting interrogations in Iraq and had never conducted nor witnessed one, had his men detain Hamoodi.[11] In the process of detaining Mr. Hamoodi, soldiers testified that Hamoodi appeared to reach for his weapon and needed to be subdued.[11] Hamoodi was beaten by four soldiers from the 220th Field Artillery Battalion on the head and body.[12] West then fired his pistol near Hamoodi's head,[11] after which Hamoodi provided West with names and information, which Hamoodi later described as "meaningless information induced by fear and pain."[11] At least one of these suspects was arrested as a result, but no plans for attacks or weapons were found.[11] West said "At the time I had to base my decision on the intelligence I received. It's possible that I was wrong about Mr. Hamoodi."[11]

West was charged with violating articles 128 (assault) and 134 (general article) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. During a hearing held as part of an Article 32 investigation in November 2003, West stated, "I know the method I used was not right, but I wanted to take care of my soldiers."[12] The charges were ultimately referred to an Article 15 proceeding rather than court-martial, at which West was fined $5,000.[11] LTC West accepted the judgment and retired with full benefits in the summer of 2004. Asked if he would act differently under similar circumstances again, West testified, "If it's about the lives of my soldiers at stake, I'd go through hell with a gasoline can."[13] After Lieutenant Colonel West was relieved of his command, an interpreter employed by a private contractor said that without his presence the region he previously oversaw "became more dangerous and chaotic".[11]

Post-military career (2004–2007)

At his hearing, 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.[6] After West's retirement, he received more than 2,000 letters and e-mails offering him moral support.[11] Furthermore, a letter supporting West was signed by 95 members of Congress and sent to the Secretary of the Army.[11]

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.[14]

After retiring from the U.S. Army, West moved his family to Florida and taught high school for a year.[11] He then spent two years working for Military Professional Resources Inc., a defense contractor. While with MPRI, West served in Kandahar, Afghanistan as a "regional director."[15] In that capacity, he was an adviser to the Afghan National Army.[16]

Political views

West was the keynote speaker at the 2011 Conservative Political Action Conference on February 13, 2011.[17] West has described Michael Ledeen as one of his "foreign policy heroes." [18]

Islam

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

When asked during an interview with The Shalom Show how he would work with others "like Keith Ellison, who supports Islam" West stated that Ellison, a Minnesota Congressman and practicing Muslim, represents the "antithesis of the principles upon which this country was established."[20] West later argued that his initial comment was misconstrued. He said the comments were "not about his Islamic faith, but about his continued support of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)."[21] In a Boynton Beach Town Hall meeting, West told the Miami leader of CAIR 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."[22] In February 2011, West cited the threat of "radical Islamic terrorists" as his motivation for voting to extend provisions of the Patriot Act.[23]

U.S. House of Representatives

West speaking at the 2010 CPAC.

2008 election

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 a margin of 9.4% of the vote.[24]

2010 election

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.[25] As one of 32 African-American Republican candidates for Congress in 2010, West said he supported the Tea Party movement and dismissed the notion that the movement was motivated by racism as a creation of liberal critics and the news media.[26] West has been described as a "tea party star" and makes frequent appearances on Fox News. [27] He became a member of the congressional Tea Party Caucus in February, 2011. [28] West defeated incumbent Ron Klein by a margin of 8.6%. West, along with newly elected Tim Scott, are the first African-American Republicans in Congress since J.C. Watts retired in 2003.[29] West raised $5.4 million for his campaign, while his incumbent opponent raised $2.5 million. According to West, "...over 97 percent of our donations have come from individual contributions."[30][31]

2012 election

West has already raised $1.5 million in the second quarter to support his 2012 reelection bid. The majority of West's funding came from individuals, with an average contribution of $66 per person.[32][33][34]

The National Journal's Cook Political Report named West one of the top 10 Republicans most vulnerable to redistricting in 2012.[35]

Congressional Black Caucus

West joined the Congressional Black Caucus on January 5, 2011. He is the first Republican to join the caucus since former Congressman Gary Franks left Congress in 1997.[36]

Committee assignments

West has been appointed to the House Armed Services Committee and the Small Business Committee.[37]

Controversies

Chief of Staff Joyce Kaufman

West's initial choice for his office's chief of staff was Joyce Kaufman, a south Florida WFTL radio host with a history of making controversial remarks; in 2007, she said that illegal immigrants who commit crimes should be hanged, while at a 2010 rally she said, "And if ballots don't work, bullets will." After she was hired, an email was sent to Kaufman at WFTL warning of an attack on schools in Broward County, Florida, leading to a lockdown. Kaufman withdrew from West's job offer the next day. Local authorities indicated that Kaufman had nothing to do with the threatening e-mail. West blamed racism and misogyny by the political left for Kaufman's treatment in the media and subsequent resignation.[38][39][40][41][42]

Emails to Debbie Wasserman Schultz

On July 19, 2011, West sent an email to Democratic Representative and Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz in response to comments directed at him in a speech the Congresswoman made on the floor of the House of Representatives after West had departed the chamber.[43] West's email, which he copied to members of House Democratic and Republican leadership, characterized Wasserman as "the most vile, unprofessional, and despicable member of the US House of Representatives", said that she was "not a Lady" and asked that she focus, instead, on her own congressional district.[44] This is a long-standing dispute that West says "dates back to the disgusting protest you ordered at my campaign headquarters, October 2010 in Deerfield Beach."[45]

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 Master Parachutist Badge.[3]

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 designated West its Man of the Year.[46]

Personal life

West married Dr. Angela M. Graham on Christmas Eve in 1989. They currently reside in Plantation, Florida with their two daughters.[47]

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. ^ "Top 50 House Nonincumbents by Contributions from Individuals January 1, 2009 - June 30, 2009" (PDF). Federal Election Commission. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Guide to the New Congress" (PDF). CQ Roll Call. 2010-11-04. Retrieved 2010-11-24.
  3. ^ a b c "About Allen West". Allen West for Congress. September 1, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  4. ^ Ferguson, Ellyn (November 6, 2010). "112th Congress: Allen West, R-Fla. (22nd District)". Congressional Quarterly. Retrieved November 7, 2010.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ a b 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)
  7. ^ Man, Anthony (December 4, 2010). "Allen West: from controversy to Congress". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved September 4, 2011. After he retired, West said, he told his wife the family would settle "wherever you want to go".
  8. ^ Man, Anthony (December 4, 2010). "Allen West: from controversy to Congress". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
  9. ^ a b c "Lieutenant Colonel Allen West". American Greatness. AmericanGreatness.org. November 23, 2010. Retrieved 2011-03-01.
  10. ^ "Iraq: The Inside Story By Lieutenant Colonel Allen West". OpinionBug.com. 2004-10-16. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m 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...
  12. ^ a b "U.S. Officer Fined for Harsh Interrogation Tactics". CNN. December 12, 2003. Archived from the original on December 11, 2007.
  13. ^ "U.S. officer fined for harsh interrogation tactics". CNN. December 13, 2003. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  14. ^ Glynn, Earl (5 September 2010). "'Leavenworth 10' families tell their stories". KansasWatchdog.org. Archived from the original on 12 November 2010.
  15. ^ "Afghan Translator Sounds Off For Lt. Col. Allen B. West". OpinionBug.com. 2008-01-10. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  16. ^ "Allen B West is US House Republican Candidate for Floridas 22nd District | Maggie's Notebook". Maggiesnotebook.com. 2010-04-03. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  17. ^ Taylor, Jessica (2011-02-12). "The Meteoric Rise of Allen West". National Journal. Atlantic Media. Retrieved 2011-02-14. One of only two African-American Republicans in the House, he's a member of both the Congressional Black Caucus and the Tea Party Caucus.
  18. ^ West, Allen (2011-02-15). "Busy Week Culminates with Closing Speech to CPAC". Red Country. Retrieved 2011-02-16. I had the chance to spend time with constituents at the showing of the film "Iranium" and was able to see one of my foreign policy heroes, Mr. Michael Ledeen.
  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. ^ Hooper, Molly (February 13, 2011). "Some in Black Caucus embrace GOP member, but others say they're 'leery'". The Hill. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  22. ^ CAmia, Catalina (February 2, 2011). "GOP Rep. Allen West draws fire for Muslim comments". USA Today. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  23. ^ Man, Anthony (2011-02-15). "Allen West catches some flak for supporting Patriot Act provisions". Broward County Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2011-02-16.
  24. ^ Rachel Kapochunas (2007-05-31). "GOP Targets Well-Funded Florida Freshman". Yahoo News. Retrieved 2007-06-21. [dead link]
  25. ^ Bennett, George (2010-03-30). "Sarah Palin promotes Allen West's challenge of Democratic U.S. Rep. Ron Klein". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2011-06-16. On her Facebook page, former GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is supporting Republican congressional candidate Allen West...
  26. ^ 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,...
  27. ^ Sherman, Amy. "Allen West makes waves, earns tea-party raves - Broward". MiamiHerald.com. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
  28. ^ "Allen West joins congressional Tea Party Caucus | Florida Politics | Sun Sentinel blog". Weblogs.sun-sentinel.com. 2011-02-07. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
  29. ^ NPR It's All Politics, James, Frank [1], Black GOP Lawmakers Face Tricky Relations With Democrats, January 4, 2011.
  30. ^ Isenstadt, Alex. "Allen West rakes in $1.6M". Politico.com. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
  31. ^ "Congressional Elections: Florida District 22 Race: 2010 Cycle". OpenSecrets. Archived from the original on 16 November 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
  32. ^ "Rep. Allen West scores $1.5M haul in second quarter". Allen West Nation. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  33. ^ "Allen West rakes in $1.6M - Alex Isenstadt". Politico.Com. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  34. ^ "Broward Politics | Sun Sentinel Blogs | Congressman Allen West reports huge fundraising quarter, takes in $1.5 million". Weblogs.sun-sentinel.com. 2011-07-11. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  35. ^ David Wasserman and Julia Edwards (15 April 2011). "Top 10 Republicans Most Vulnerable to Redistricting". Cook Political Report. National Journal. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  36. ^ Southall, Ashley (2011-01-05). "Republican Allen West Joins Congressional Black Caucus". New York Times. Retrieved 2011-02-14. The all-Democrat Congressional Black Caucus welcomed its first Republican member in 14 years on Wednesday, with the swearing-in of Representative Allen B. West of Florida.
  37. ^ 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.
  38. ^ Bash, Dana (2010-11-14). "GOP Congressman-elect speaks out over controversy". CNN. Retrieved 2011-02-16.
  39. ^ Burnett, James H. "Broward schools security threat turns into political fallout - Political Currents". MiamiHerald.com. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  40. ^ Rucker, Philip (2010-11-09). "Incoming congressman Allen West taps outspoken Fla. radio host as chief of staff". The Washington Post.
  41. ^ "Allen West's controversial new chief of staff quits amid media 'lynching' - St. Petersburg Times". Tampabay.com. 2010-11-12. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  42. ^ "Allen West blames racism, misogyny for aide controversy". The Washington Post.
  43. ^ Man, Anthony (July 19, 2011). "Wassserman Schultz critical of Allen West on federal budget-cutting measure". Sun Sentinel.
  44. ^ Smith, Ben (July 19, 2011). "Allen West tirade: Wasserman-Schultz 'vile...despicable...not a Lady'". Politico.
  45. ^ "Florida Reps. Allen West, Debbie Wasserman Schultz clash". Los Angeles Times. July 20,2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  46. ^ Johnson, Ben (January 2, 2004). "FrontPage Magazine's Man of the Year: Col. Allen B. West". FrontPage Magazine. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  47. ^ West, Allen (2010-12-28). "Allen West's Final Wrap Up For 2010". allenwest2012. Retrieved 2011-02-27.

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