Michael Enzi Quote

Michael Bradley Enzi ( EN-zee; February 1, 1944 – July 26, 2021) was an American politician who served in the United States Senate from Wyoming as a member of the Republican Party from 1997 to 2021. Prior to his tenure in the United States Senate he served as mayor of Gillette, Wyoming, in the Wyoming House of Representatives from Campbell County, and the Wyoming Senate from the 24th district. He was the third longest-serving U.S. Senator from Wyoming.
Enzi was born in Bremerton, Washington, raised in Thermopolis, Wyoming, and educated at Sheridan High School, George Washington University, and the University of Denver. He served in the Air National Guard, and held positions in the American Legion Boys State, DeMolay International, and United States Junior Chamber. He entered politics after being convinced by Alan Simpson to run for mayor of Gillette and defeating incumbent Mayor Cliff Davis. He was elected to the state house in the 1986 election and served until his appointment to the state senate in 1991.
Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996, Enzi served as chair or ranking member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and Budget committees. He served until he declined to seek reelection in 2020, and was succeeded by Cynthia Lummis. He died in 2021 following injuries resulting from a bicycling accident.