Michel, Bob

Michel, Bob (Robert Henry Michel) mīˈkəl [key], 1923–2017, U.S. congressman, b. Peoria, Ill. A decorated veteran, he served in the army during World War II before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican from Illinois in 1956. From 1975 to 1981 he was House minority whip, and in 1981 he became minority leader. Michel also served on the House appropriations committee and was instrumental in winning congressional support for the 1991 Persian Gulf War. The longest serving House minority leader, he retired in 1995.

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