The Largo Republican said he had become close to the Colorado soldier and his family.
By BILL ADAIR
Published July 1, 2003
WASHINGTON - When Congress considered a landmark Medicare bill Friday, Rep. C.W. Bill Young had to choose: cast an important vote or attend a funeral for a U.S. soldier.
He chose the funeral.
The Largo Republican was the only member of the Florida delegation who missed voting on the bill, which would create a new Medicare drug benefit. It passed the House 216-215.
Young said he and his wife, Beverly, had become close to the family of Staff Sgt. William Latham after the soldier was critically wounded in a weapons raid in Iraq. Latham, of Fort Carson, Colo., was flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington after he was injured on May 19.
About two weeks ago, Young awarded the Purple Heart to Latham in his hospital room. The soldier was unconscious, so Young said he pressed the medal in his hand in hopes the soldier might feel it. Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who had been invited to attend by Beverly Young, then pinned the medal on the soldier's gown.
Latham died June 18. Young said he wanted to attend the funeral to help the soldier's family. "It was something I felt I really had to do to bring closure," he said.
Young, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said his missed vote did not affect the outcome because a member of his committee who opposed the Medicare bill was present but did not vote. That member, Rep. Ernest Istook, R-Okla., declared he was against the bill but "paired" with Young so the outcome would not change.
During his visits to the hospital to see Latham and other soldiers, Young said he discovered a health problem of his own.
He briefly passed out and was diagnosed with a tangerine-sized abscess on his liver, he said. He was hospitalized for about two days in early June.
He has since returned to work and chaired seven committee meetings to pass appropriations bills. He said he has been taking antibiotics.
"I feel good about it because my strength is coming back, and I haven't had a fever in about two weeks," he said.
