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'''Allen B. West''' (born February 7, 1961) is |
'''Allen B. West''' (born February 7, 1961) is a [[Republican]] [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]]-elect for {{ushr|FL|22}} and a retired [[Army]] [[Lieutenant Colonel]]. |
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Forced to retire from the Army following a controversial [[interrogation]] incident in [[Iraq]] in 2003, Congressman-elect West has also briefly taught high school and served as a civilian adviser in Afghanistan. With his successful campaign in the 2010 [[mid-terms]], after an unsuccessful bid in 2008, he will be 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> |
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West served in the military in [[Iraq]] and was a civilian adviser in [[Afghanistan]]. West achieved the rank of [[commissioned officer|Lieutenant Colonel]] in the [[United States Army]] and retired after an investigation of his conduct during the interrogation of a detainee in [[Taji, Iraq]].<ref name="globe"></ref> |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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Allen West was born in [[Atlanta, Georgia]] to Herman West, Sr. (born in [[Ozark, Alabama]]) and Elizabeth West (born in [[Camilla, Georgia]]). |
Allen West was born in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (US state)|Georgia]] to Herman West, Sr. (born in [[Ozark, Alabama|Ozark]], [[Alabama]]) and Elizabeth West (born in [[Camilla, Georgia]]). His father and older brother both served in the military while his mother was a civilian employee of the [[United States Marine Corps]]. West joined the [[JROTC]] program in the 10th grade and enrolled in the [[US Army]] in 1983 after he earned first college degree. Overall, West was the third of four generations in his family to serve in the military.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2010/12/allen_west_from_controversy_to_1.html |title=Allen West: from controversy to Congress| publisher=Sun-Sentinel.com |
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|first=Anthony |last=Man |date=December 4, 2010 |
|first=Anthony |last=Man |date=December 4, 2010 |
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|accessdate=December 5, 2010}}</ref> That family line includes his father serving in [[World War II]], his older brother (Herman West Jr) serving in [[Vietnam War]], and his nephew (Herman West III) who's currently a young [[Captain]] having already served two tours in Afghanistan. <ref>{{cite web |url= http://democracy-project.com/?p=3408 |
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|title=LTC West Calls for Immediate Resignation of AG Holder| publisher=Democracy-Project.com |
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|first=Phil |last=Orenstein |date=February 23, 2009 |
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|accessdate=December 5, 2010}}</ref> |
|accessdate=December 5, 2010}}</ref> |
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==Personal== |
==Personal== |
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West resides in [[Plantation]], [[Florida]] with his wife, Angela Graham West, and their two teenage daughters, Aubrey and Austen. Angela, who holds an [[MBA]] and [[PhD]], works as a [[Financial Planner]]. His older daughter, Aubrey, attends [[Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy High School]], while his younger daughter, Austen, attends Cooper City Christian Academy.<ref name=WestBio /> |
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West resides in Florida with wife, Angela, and two daughters. |
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==Electoral history== |
==Electoral history== |
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Revision as of 22:38, 7 December 2010
Allen B. West | |
|---|---|
 Allen West speaking at CPAC, February 2010 | |
| Member-elect of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 22nd district | |
| Assuming office January 3, 2011 | |
| Succeeding | Ron Klein |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 7, 1961[1] Atlanta, Georgia[1] |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Angela West, MBA, PhD |
| Residence(s) | Plantation, Florida, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University 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 MedalArmy Commendation Medal Army Achievement Medal |
| Website | AllenWestForCongress.com |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1982–2004 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel  |
| Commands | 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | Operation Desert Storm Iraq War |
Allen B. West (born February 7, 1961) is a Republican U.S. Representative-elect for Florida's 22nd congressional district and a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel.
Forced to retire from the Army following a controversial interrogation incident in Iraq in 2003, Congressman-elect West has also briefly taught high school and served as a civilian adviser in Afghanistan. With his successful campaign in the 2010 mid-terms, after an unsuccessful bid in 2008, he will be the first African-American Republican Congressman from Florida since Josiah T. Walls in 1876.[4]
Early life
Allen West was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Herman West, Sr. (born in Ozark, Alabama) and Elizabeth West (born in Camilla, Georgia). His father and older brother both served in the military while his mother was a civilian employee of the United States Marine Corps. West joined the JROTC program in the 10th grade and enrolled in the US Army in 1983 after he earned first college degree. Overall, West was the third of four generations in his family to serve in the military.[5] That family line includes his father serving in World War II, his older brother (Herman West Jr) serving in Vietnam War, and his nephew (Herman West III) who's currently a young Captain having already served two tours in Afghanistan. [6]
Education
West is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and obtained his master's degree in political science from Kansas State University. He also holds a Master of Military Arts and Sciences from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officer College in political theory and military history and operations.[2]
Awards and decorations
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 been awarded 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 magazineFrontPage Magazine named West its Man of the Year.[7]
Military career
West entered active duty service in the U.S. Army on November 1, 1983 at Fort Sill to attend the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course. He later attended 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. In 1987, he was promoted to Captain and attended the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course.[citation needed] He was then assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, where he commanded Bravo Battery, 6th Field Artillery Regiment and was a Battalion Task Force fire support officer for 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. While with the 1st Infantry Division, he participated in Operations Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.[citation needed]
After redeployment from Kuwait, West served as an 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. During that time, West was promoted to Major and selected for attendance to the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and graduated in 1997. Afterward, he became the Operations Officer of the 18th Field Artillery Brigade. That was followed by assignment as the Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion, 377th Field Artillery Regiment. Upon completion of these positions, West was assigned to the II Marine Expeditionary Force in Camp Lejeune, selected to serve as an Army exchange officer to this headquarters from 1999 to 2002.
West's last assignment in his military career was as Battalion Commander of the 2d Battalion 20th Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Division. He assumed command of this unit on June 6, 2002.[8]
Iraq interrogation incident and retirement
While serving in Taji, Iraq on August 20, 2003, West was in charge of an interrogation of a civilian Iraqi police officer who was suspected of having pertinent information regarding attacks on American soldiers in the area. Interrogators had learned that the detainee had information about a planned ambush. When the interrogators were unable to extract the information from the detainee, West was asked to assist with the interrogation. When the detainee continued to withhold information, West was accused of firing his pistol past the detainee's head, frightening the detainee into revealing the requested information. According to West's sworn statement,[9] the detainee informed West that:
[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 man was apprehended as a result of the information obtained through the detainee's interrogation. His home was searched, but no plans for attacks on Americans or weapons were found. West testified that he did not know whether "any corroboration" of a plot was ever found, adding: "At the time I had to base my decision on the intelligence I received. It's possible that I was wrong about [the detainee,] Mr. Hamoodi."[10]
West, who at the time was just short of having 22 years of service, was charged with violating articles 128 (assault) and 134 (general article) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. West was processed through an Article 32 hearing in November 2003, where he admitted wrongdoing, was fined $5,000 . He then submitted his retirement paperwork and was allowed to retire with full benefits in the summer of 2004.[11]
At a hearing, West was asked by his defense attorney if he would do it again. "If it's about the lives of my men and their safety, I'd go through hell with a gasoline can," he said.[11] West said there were no further ambushes on U.S. forces in Taji until he was relieved of his leadership post on October 4."[11] After West's retirement was brought to public attention the next fall, he received over two thousand letters and e-mails from the American public offering him moral support.[citation needed] In addition, a letter in West's support and signed by ninety-five members of Congress was drafted to the Secretary of the Army.[10]
West spoke in September 2010 in defense of a group of US military personnel convicted of war crimes known as the "Leavenworth 10."[12]
Post-military career
After leaving the Army, West moved his family from Texas to Florida and was a high school teacher for one year.[10] He served as a Department of Defense contractor both in Afghanistan and in the US until December 2010.[citation needed]
2008 U.S. Congressional campaign
On May 29, 2007, West was the Republican candidate for Congress in Florida's 22nd congressional district and campaigned against incumbent Congressman Ron Klein for that seat in the November 2008 elections.[13]
2010 U.S. Congressional campaign
West spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference on February 20, 2010 and was endorsed by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.[citation needed] 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 "racism" therein as having been made up by liberal critics and the news media.[14]
On November 2, 2010, West defeated Congressman Ron Klein 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 and his incumbent opponent raised $2.5 million. Commenting on his fund raising, West noted, "...over 97 percent of our donations have come from individual contributions."[16][17]
Personal
West resides in Plantation, Florida with his wife, Angela Graham West, and their two teenage daughters, Aubrey and Austen. Angela, who holds an MBA and PhD, works as a Financial Planner. His older daughter, Aubrey, attends Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy High School, while his younger daughter, Austen, attends Cooper City Christian Academy.[2]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ron Klein (incumbent) | 169,041 | 54.7 | ||
| Republican | Allen West | 140,104 | 45.3 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Allen West | 115,411 | 54.3 | ||
| Democratic | Ron Klein (incumbent) | 97,051 | 45.7 | ||
References
- ^ a b "Guide to the New Congress" (PDF). CQ Roll Call. 2010-11-04. Retrieved 2010-11-24.
- ^ a b c "About Allen West". Allen West for Congress. 2010-09-01. Retrieved 2010-11-10.
- ^ Ferguson, Ellyn (November 6, 2010). "112th Congress: Allen West, R-Fla. (22nd District)". Congressional Quarterly. Retrieved November 7, 2010.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Man, Anthony (December 4, 2010). "Allen West: from controversy to Congress". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
- ^ Orenstein, Phil (February 23, 2009). "LTC West Calls for Immediate Resignation of AG Holder". Democracy-Project.com. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
- ^ Johnson, Ben (January 2, 2004). "FrontPage Magazine's Man of the Year: Col. Allen B. West". FrontPage Magazine. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
- ^ "Iraq: The Inside Story By Lieutenant Colonel Allen West". OpinionBug.com. 2004-10-16. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
- ^ 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) - ^ a b c 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. New York City, NY. 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...
- ^ a b c
"U.S. officer fined for harsh interrogation tactics". CNN. 2003-12-13. Retrieved 2007-06-21.
{{cite news}}: Text "accessdate 5/3/2010" ignored (help) - ^ Glynn, Earl (5 September 2010). "'Leavenworth 10' families tell their stories". KansasWatchdog.org. Archived from the original on 12 November 2010.
- ^ Rachel Kapochunas (2007-05-31). "GOP Targets Well-Funded Florida Freshman". Yahoo News. Retrieved 2007-06-21. [dead link]
- ^ Steinhauer, Jennifer (May 4, 2010). "Black Hopefuls Pick This Year in G.O.P. Races". The New York Times. New York City, NY: Arthur O. Sulzberger. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
Among the many reverberations of President Obama's election,...
- ^ Rosen, James (2010-11-08). "South Carolina's Tim Scott among new faces bound for DC Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/11/08/1915802/scott-heads-to-dc-as-a-freshman.html#ixzz16Q4ehzma". Miami Herald. McClatchy Newspapers. Retrieved 2010-11-26.
Scott and Allen West of Florida will be the first black Republican members of Congress since J.C. Watts of Oklahoma retired in 2003.
{{cite news}}: External link in|title= - ^ Isenstadt, Alex. "Allen West rakes in $1.6M". Politico.com. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
- ^ "Congressional Elections: Florida District 22 Race: 2010 Cycle". OpenSecrets. Archived from the original on 16 November 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
