William J. Coyne

Summary

William Joseph Coyne (August 24, 1936 – November 3, 2013) was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania from 1981 to 2003.

William J. Coyne
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 14th district
In office
January 3, 1981 – January 3, 2003
Preceded byWilliam S. Moorhead
Succeeded byMike Doyle
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 22nd district
In office
January 5, 1971 – November 30, 1972
Preceded byFrank W. O'Brien
Succeeded byJames A. Romanelli
Personal details
Born
William Joseph Coyne

(1936-08-24)August 24, 1936
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedNovember 3, 2013(2013-11-03) (aged 77)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materRobert Morris College
Signature

Early life and education edit

Coyne was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1954, and received a B.S. in accounting from Robert Morris College.

He served two years in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957. He served as a supply sergeant in Korea. After completing his military service, he set up a private accounting firm.

Political career edit

From 1970 to 1972 he was member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and a member of the Pittsburgh City Council from 1974 to 1980.

Congress edit

Coyne was elected to Congress in 1980, succeeding 24-year incumbent William S. Moorhead in a district taking in most of Pittsburgh. He was reelected ten times, never facing serious opposition. He was a longtime member of the United States House Committee on Ways and Means

Retirement and death edit

In 2002, Coyne's district was combined with the district of Mike Doyle, a somewhat more moderate Democrat. Although the new district contained more of Coyne's territory than Doyle's, Coyne retired to avoid the possibility of two Democratic incumbents facing each other in the primary elections.

Coyne died at the age of 77 on November 3, 2013, two months after falling and sustaining head injuries.[1]

Sources edit

  1. ^ Hopey, Don (November 3, 2013). "William Coyne, retired long-time congressman from Pittsburgh, dies - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette". Post-gazette.com. Retrieved November 3, 2013.

External links edit

  Media related to William J. Coyne at Wikimedia Commons

  • Voting record at the Washington Post
  • Congressman William J. Coyne's Webpage at the Wayback Machine (archive index)
  • Appearances on C-SPAN
  • Congressman William J. Coyne
  • William J. Coyne at Find a Grave
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 14th congressional district

1981–2003
Succeeded by