William J. Coyne
Encyclopedia
William Joseph Coyne was a Democratic
member of the United States House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania
.
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 for two years in the United States Army
before setting up a private accounting firm. 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.
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
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.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Coyne was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
. He graduated from Central Catholic High School
Central Catholic High School (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Central Catholic High School is a Roman Catholic college preparatory school for boys in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It is a part of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and is administrated and partially staffed by the Brothers of the Christian Schools....
in 1954, and received a B.S. in accounting from Robert Morris College
Robert Morris College
This article is about the university in Illinois. For the university in Pennsylvania, see Robert Morris University.Robert Morris University Illinois, formerly Robert Morris College, is an educational institution in the U.S...
. He served for two years in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
before setting up a private accounting firm. From 1970 to 1972 he was member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
, and a member of the Pittsburgh City Council from 1974 to 1980.
Coyne was elected to Congress in 1980, succeeding 24-year incumbent William S. Moorhead
William S. Moorhead
William Singer Moorhead was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.Moorhead was born in Pittsburgh, PA, the son of prominent attorney William Singer Moorhead, Sr...
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
United States House Committee on Ways and Means
The Committee of Ways and Means is the chief tax-writing committee of the United States House of Representatives. Members of the Ways and Means Committee are not allowed to serve on any other House Committees unless they apply for a waiver from their party's congressional leadership...
In 2002, Coyne's district was combined with the district of Mike Doyle
Michael F. Doyle
Michael F. "Mike" Doyle is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1995. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is based in Pittsburgh and includes most of Allegheny County....
, 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.
External links
- Voting record at the Washington Post
- Congressman William J. Coyne's Webpage archived