Meet Your Congressman, Allen Boyd

7/24/08

Family Information:
Congressman Allen Boyd is a fifth generation Florida farmer and continues to oversee his family farm operations, tilling the same land as his great-great grandfather. Congressman Boyd’s parents were Fred and Elizabeth Boyd, both deceased. Fred Boyd ran the family farm, and Elizabeth Boyd was an elementary school teacher. For 38 years, Congressman Boyd has been married to Cissy Boyd, and they have three adult children, all Florida residents.
Education:
Congressman Boyd graduated from Florida State University in 1969 with a B.S. in accounting.
Military Service:
From 1970 – 1971, Congressman Boyd served as a rifle platoon leader for the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. For his service, Congressman received the Bronze Star, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Political History:
♦ From 1989 – 1996, Congressman Boyd served in the Florida House of Representatives and was the Chairman of the Florida House Democratic Conservative Caucus.
♦ In 1996, Congressman Boyd was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. He is currently serving his sixth term.
§ In Congress, Congressman Boyd is a member of the House Appropriations Committee where he works to ensure fairness in funding to North Florida’s priorities. Boyd also serves on the Defense Subcommittee, the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Subcommittee, and the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee.
§ A leading voice on fiscal responsibility in the House of Representatives, Boyd also serves on the House Budget Committee.
In the House of Representatives, he is a leader of Congress’ Blue Dog Coalition, a group of 49 Democratic members who advocate fiscal responsibility in the federal budgeting process. The Blue Dogs are centrist legislators working to forge middle of the road, bipartisan answers to the current challenges facing the country.
Throughout his career in public service, Congressman Boyd has worked on both sides of the political aisle to get things done for the people of North Florida. Through his work on the House Appropriations Committee, he has brought home millions of dollars for North Florida’s priorities.
As a veteran of Vietnam, Congressman Boyd has been an advocate for improved veterans’ benefits and healthcare. He was instrumental in the recent passage of a new GI Bill for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The new GI Bill restores the promise of a full, four-year college education for our veterans.
Congressman Boyd also was a strong proponent of the new Veterans’ Clinic in Marianna. By working closely with the Veterans Administration (VA), he was also able to encourage the VA to move forward with the plans for the new clinic so that the veterans of North Florida can have better access to healthcare. With over 75,000 veterans in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District, this new veterans’ clinic really is an extraordinary victory for our veterans.
Congressman Boyd is a fifth generation farmer and knows firsthand the challenges facing farmers in North Florida. In Congress, he has played a significant role in developing modern agricultural policy for our farmers. Last month, Congress passed a new Farm Bill that provides historic support for the agriculture needs of Florida, including an agriculture safety net for the family farmer, disaster assistance, and conservation funding. Boyd proclaims, "Our country cannot continue to be the strongest country in the world if we are dependent on foreign countries for food and energy. Maintaining a healthy agriculture industry and encouraging energy independence should be both economic and national security priorities."
While progress has been made, much more work needs to be done, specifically the federal government must address our nation’s long term fiscal problems, work to combat high gas prices, and develop a comprehensive energy plan that will make our nation energy independent. Congressman Boyd is leading the fight in Congress for responsible domestic oil and gas exploration and stresses the need for a balanced energy solution.
"I went to Congress for the same reasons I went to Vietnam - to fight for what we know is right. If we put politics aside, roll up our sleeves and work together, there’s nothing we can’t do," Boyd continued. "I believe in the strength of this community, so I am hopeful about the future, but we have to keep working together as Americans, not as Republicans or Democrats. If we do that, we can solve the serious challenges facing our country."