H. William DeWeese
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| H. William DeWeese | |
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| In office 1993 – 1994 |
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| Preceded by | Robert W. O'Donnell (D) |
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| Succeeded by | Matthew J. Ryan (R) |
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| Born | April 18, 1950 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Holly Kinser (ex) |
| Profession | Politician |
H. William "Bill" DeWeese (born April 18, 1950) is the Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. DeWeese served as 135th Speaker of the Pennsylvania House in 1993-1994.
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[edit] Background
DeWeese was born April 18, 1950, in Pittsburgh and raised in rural Greene County. After earning a B.A., History at Wake Forest University, he joined the United States Marine Corps 1972-1975.
[edit] State House
After leaving the Marines, DeWeese was elected to the Pennsylvania House in a 1976 special election and has served the 50th district (all of Greene and parts of Fayette and Washington Counties) since.
DeWeese's ascent through the echelons of House Democratic leadership began when he was elected by his colleagues as Majority Whip in 1988. Upon the death of Speaker of the House James J. Manderino, DeWeese was elected House Majority Leader in January 1990, serving in that position until he was elected Speaker of the House for the 1993-94 term. In 1994, he lost the Speakership when Democrat Rep. Stish switched parties, giving the GOP the majority. He went on to serve as Minority Leader from 1994 until 2006.
Following November 2006 elections, a tight race in Chester County gave a slim 102-101 majority to the Democrats, DeWeese became Democratic speaker-designate. Days before the General Assembly convened on January 2, 2007, Rep. Thomas Caltigirone (D) of Berks County announced he would not support DeWeese as speaker but would remain a Democrat. For the second time, DeWeese was denied the speakership by a member of his own party. DeWeese made a shocking move in the Hall of the House when he nominated Philadelphia County Republican Rep. Dennis O'Brien for the office of Speaker. O'Brien defeated fellow Northeast Philadelphia Republican John M. Perzel in a 105-97 vote. Many political analysts speculate DeWeese's leadership style led to the 1994 and 2007 party defections.
[edit] 2005 Legislative Pay Raise
Rep. DeWeese supported a legislative and judicial pay raise in 2005. After criticism from the media and activist groups, DeWeese joined his colleagues in a near unanimous repeal of the pay raise.
DeWeese reorganized the Democratic Caucus following the vote. Members who voted in favor of the pay raise were promoted to those positions; while those who voted against lost such positions as a result of their opposition. Republicans and a small number of fellow Democrats, including Governor Ed Rendell, criticized DeWeese's move; but he stood by his decision, explaining that those who opposed the pay-raise legislation knew the realignment would be a consequence. [1]
Despite the defeats of several legislative leaders in the wake of the pay scandal, DeWeese fought off a 2006 primary election challenge by a comfortable margin. He was elected for an additional term in office on November 7, 2006 and also was elected by his colleagues to continue as the Democratic Leader.
[edit] 2007 Speaker Election
In 2006, the Democratic party won a 102-101 majority in the House, giving DeWeese a second chance at the speaker's gavel. However, several Democratic representatives were rumored to be unhappy with Deweese. Among them were Rep. Rosita Youngblood of Philadelphia whom DeWeese accused of being "owned lock, stock and barrel by Perzel Incorporated. [2] Caltagirone publically announced his intention to support Perzel, thereby denying DeWeese the Speakership. [3] However, Democrats foiled Perzel's move by nominating a Republican, Dennis M. O'Brien for Speaker. O'Brien went on to win the election.
[edit] Speech
DeWeese is well known for his idiosyncratic style of speaking and writing, which incorporates an extensive vocabulary, anachronistic usages, and attenuated metaphors. For instance, a 2002 letter by DeWeese to lobbyist Stephen Wojdak regarding Wojdak's hiring of DeWeese's ex-wife, Holly Kinser, began with the following paragraph:
Let's cut to the chase ... you sir, are a liar. The measure of the person in our enterprise is his word. When a man comes to my Capitol Hill enclave and stands beneath that impressive chandelier of gold, looks me in the eye with a gimlet gaze, shakes my hand with a sturdy grip and gives me his word, to me it's axiomatic that the gentleman is telling the truth. You are an abject, ignoble, mendacious knave! [4]
While some take DeWeese's use of language as evidence of his high level of intellect, others complain that his prose is frequently mangled. Others find his linguistic choices pompous. In a 2002 interview with the Allentown Morning Call, DeWeese said regarding his metaphors: "My intelligence is in the middle range, but my enthusiasm is above average."
[edit] References
[edit] External links
| Speakers of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (Since 1791) |  |
|---|---|
| Bingham • Wynkoop • Latimer • Evans • Weaver • Snyder • Porter • Boileau • Engle • Weber • Todd • Smith • St. Clair • Holgate • Hill • Davidson • Lawrence • Gilmore • Sutherland • Ritner • Middleswarth • Smith • LaPorte • Findley • Anderson • Patterson • Cessna • Thompson • Dewart • Hopkins • Crabb • Snowden • Wright • Patterson • Cooper • Packer • McCalmont • Rhey • Schell • Chase • Strong • Wright • Getz • Longaker • Lawrence • Davis • Rowe • Johnson • Olmstead • Kelley • Glass • Clark • Strang • Webb • Elliott • McCormick • Patterson • Myer • Long • Hewitt • Faunce • Graham • Boyer • Thompson • Walton • Farr • Marshall • McClain • Cox • Shreve • Alter • Ambler • Baldwin • Spangler • Whitaker • Goodnough • Bluett • McClure • Hess • Talbot • Sarig • Furman • Turner • Kilroy • Fiss • Lichtenwalter • Sorg • Smith • Andrews • Helm • Hamilton • Lee • Fineman • Seltzer • Irvis • Manderino • O'Donnell • DeWeese • Ryan • Perzel • O'Brien |
