Alan K. Simpson

A Senator from Wyoming. Born in Denver, Denver County, Colo. , September 2, 1931. Attended Cody, Wyo. Public schools. Graduated, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyo. , 1954. Graduated, University of Wyoming Law School 1958. Admitted to the Wyoming bar in 1958 and commenced practice in Cody. Served in the United States Army, Infantry 1954-1956. Assistant attorney general of Wyoming 1958-1959. City attorney, Cody, Wyo. United States Commissioner 1959-1969. Member, Wyoming house of representatives 1964-1977. Elected as a Republican to the United States Senate, November 7, 1978, for the six-year term commencing January 3, 1979. Subsequently appointed by the Governor, January 1, 1979, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Clifford P. Hansen for the term ending January 3, 1979. Reelected in 1984 and 1990 and served from January 1, 1979, to January 3, 1997. Was not a candidate for reelection in 1996. Republican whip (1985-1995). Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs (One Hundred Fourth Congress). Visiting lecturer, Kennedy School of Government, Shorenstein Center, and Director of the Institute of Politics 1997-2000. Commissioner, American Battle Monuments Commission. Co-chairman, Continuity in Government Commission 2002-2011. Co-chairman, National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, 2010. Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022. Was a resident of Cody, Wyo. , until his death on March 14, 2025.