H. William DeWeese

Infobox State Representative


name = Bill DeWeese
width =
height =
caption =
state = Pennsylvania
state_house = Pennsylvania
district = 50th
term_start = 1976
term_end = present
predecessor =
successor = Incumbent
constituency =
majority =
office2 = 135th Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
term_start2 = 1993
term_end2 = 1994
predecessor2 = Robert O'Donnell
successor2 = Matt Ryan
constituency2 =
majority2 =
office3 =
term_start3 =
term_end3 =
predecessor3 =
successor3 =
constituency3 =
majority3 =
birth_date = Birth date and age|1950|4|18|mf=y
birth_place = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
death_date =
death_place =
party = Democrat
alma_mater = Wake Forest University
occupation =
spouse = Holly Kinser (divorced)
children =
residence = Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
religion = Presbyterian
website =

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.

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.

tate 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.

Role in the 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. [ [http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/12306502.htm, "Philadelphia Inquirer" Moves in Pa. House to Stand, August 5, 2005] ]

Despite the defeats of several legislative leaders in the wake of the pay scandal, DeWeese fought off a 2006 primary election challenge and was elected for an additional term in office on November 7, 2006.

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. [ [http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/16341932.htm?source=rss&channel=dailynews_local "Philadelphia Daily News", Rosita's revenge? December 29, 2006] ] Caltagirone publicly announced his intention to support Perzel, thereby denying DeWeese the Speakership. [ [http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17652706&BRD=2212&PAG=461&dept_id=465812&rfi=6 "Reading Eagle", Democrat plans to support Perzel, spoiling party speakership, December 30, 2006] ] However, Democrats foiled Perzel's move by nominating a Republican, Dennis M. O'Brien for Speaker. O'Brien went on to win the election.

Bonus Investigation

DeWeese has taken a central role in Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett's investigation into whether the House Democratic caucus made illegal payments to staffers, including bonuses for campaign work. He was forced to fire several Democratic caucus staffers, including his chief of staff, after it was revealed that they improperly destroyed documents related to the Attorney General's investigation. [http://www.pennlive.com/newsflash/pa/index.ssf?/base/news-56/119524974111020.xml&storylist=penn]

He has survived calls for his resignation from reform activists [ [http://blogs.mcall.com/capitol_ideas/2007/11/afternoon-upd-1.html Mcall.com: Capitol Ideas with John L. Micek Blog ] ] and his fellow state representatives [ [http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_546521.html DeWeese may face caucus ire - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ] ] and claims to have solid support for his leadership within the caucus. [ [http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-01122008-1469887.html Democrats seek to take focus off bonus scandal (phillyBurbs.com) | Courier Times ] ]

peech

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! [ [http://www.politicspa.com/Features/Dear_Wojdak.htm Politics.pa.com] ]

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."

References

External links

* [http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/house_bio.cfm?id=40 Pennsylvania House of Representatives - H. William DeWeese] official PA House website
* [http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=9119 Project Vote Smart - Representative H. William DeWeese (PA)] profile
*"Follow the Money" - H. William DeWeese
** [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=88196 2006] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=64821 2004] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=6648 2002] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=48993 2000] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=478 1998] campaign contributions
* [http://www.pahouse.com/deweese/ Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus - Rep. Bill DeWeese] official Party website