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Allen West (politician)

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Allen West
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 22nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2011
Preceded byRon Klein
Personal details
Born
Allen Bernard West[1]

(1961-02-07) February 7, 1961 (age 63)[2]
Atlanta, Georgia[2]
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAngela West
Residence(s)Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Tennessee (B.A., political science, 1983)
Kansas State University (M.A., political science, 1986)
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (Master of Military Arts and Sciences in political theory, military history and operations, 1997)[3]
Awards Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
WebsiteAllen West For Congress
Congressman Allen West
Military service
AllegianceUnited States of America
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1982–2004, 22 years
RankLieutenant Colonel
Commands2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Division
Battles/warsOperation Desert Storm
Operation Iraqi Freedom

Allen Bernard West (born February 7, 1961) is the U.S. Representative for Florida's 22nd congressional district. He was defeated in his bid for re-election on November 6th, 2012 by Democrat Patrick Murphy. A conservative Republican, West took office in January 2011. He is the first black Republican Congressman from Florida since Josiah T. Walls left office in 1876 near the end of Reconstruction.[5]

West retired from the United States Army as a lieutenant colonel after 22 years of service. He deployed to Kuwait in 1991 and Iraq in 2003. After leaving the military he and his family moved to Florida where he taught high school for a year and worked for a defense contractor, part of his time spent in Afghanistan as a civilian adviser to the Afghan National Army.

West is a member of the Tea Party Caucus and has been referred to as the "rock star", "champion", and "political avatar" of the Tea Party movement.[6] His speeches have been met with both approval from supporters and rebuke from critics.[6]

Early life and education

Allen West was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Elizabeth (1931–1994) and Herman West, Sr. (1920–1986).[7] His father and older brother were both career military officers: his father served in World War II, and his brother served in Vietnam.[8] His mother was a civilian employee of the United States Marine Corps. Although both of his parents were registered Democrats, West has remarked that they "raised (him) very conservatively."[6]

In the tenth grade, West joined the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program and entered the United States Army in 1983 after he graduated from the University of Tennessee. West was a member of the third of four consecutive generations in his family to serve in the United States armed forces.[8] West later received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Tennessee and his master's degree in political science from Kansas State University. He also earned a master of military arts and sciences degree from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officer College in political theory and military history and operations.[3]

Military career (1983–2004)

Overview

West entered active duty on November 1, 1983, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he attended the Field Artillery Officer's Basic Course. After graduation, West attended airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia where he graduated with his Parachutist Badge. West's first assignment was as an airborne infantry fire support officer and platoon leader, as well as the Battalion Training Officer for 4th Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division in Vicenza, Italy under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth R. Needham. In 1987, West was promoted to captain and attended the Field Artillery Officer's Advanced Course.[9] Following graduation, West took command of B Battery, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. He also served as the Battalion Task Force Fire Support Officer for 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. As a member of the 1st Infantry Division he deployed for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.[9]

After redeployment from Kuwait, West served as an Army ROTC Instructor at Kansas State University from 1991 to 1994, becoming the U.S. Army ROTC Instructor of the Year in 1993. In January 1995 he was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division Support Command as the Assistant Operations/Combat Plans Officer. West was promoted to major before he attended the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in 1997. Upon completion, he became the Operations Officer for the 18th Field Artillery Brigade before being assigned as Executive Officer of 1st Battalion, 377th Field Artillery Regiment. Afterwards, West served as an Army exchange officer at the II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune from 1999 to 2002 and was promoted to lieutenant colonel.

The culminating assignment of Lieutenant Colonel West's career was his assumption of command of the 2d Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Infantry Division on June 6, 2002. He deployed with his unit during the Iraq War in 2003 and continued to command his battalion until his retirement from the Army in 2004.[10]

Military Awards

West's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters); Army Commendation Medal (three Oak Leaf Clusters, one Valor Device); Army Achievement Medal (one Oak Leaf Cluster); Valorous Unit Award; Air Assault Badge; and the Master Parachutist Badge.[3]

Iraq interrogation incident

While serving in Taji, Iraq, West received information from an intelligence specialist about a plot to ambush his unit.[11] The alleged plot reportedly involved Yahya Jhodri Hamoodi, a civilian Iraqi police officer.[11] West had his men detain Hamoodi.[11] Soldiers testified that in the process of detaining Mr. Hamoodi, he appeared to reach for his weapon and needed to be subdued.[11] Hamoodi was beaten by four soldiers from the 2/20th Field Artillery Battalion on the head and body.[12] West then fired his pistol near Hamoodi's head,[11] after which Hamoodi provided West with names and information, which Hamoodi later described as "meaningless information induced by fear and pain."[11] At least one of these suspects was arrested as a result, but no plans for attacks or weapons were found.[11] West said "At the time I had to base my decision on the intelligence I received. It's possible that I was wrong about Mr. Hamoodi."[11]

West was charged with violating articles 128 (assault) and 134 (general article) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. During a hearing held as part of an Article 32 investigation in November 2003, West stated, "I know the method I used was not right, but I wanted to take care of my soldiers."[12] The charges were ultimately referred to an Article 15 proceeding rather than court-martial, at which West was fined $5,000.[11] Lieutenant Colonel West accepted the judgment and retired with full benefits in the summer of 2004. Asked if he would act differently under similar circumstances, West testified, "If it's about the lives of my soldiers at stake, I'd go through hell with a gasoline can."[12] At his hearing, West pointed out that there were no further ambushes against American forces in Taji until he was relieved of his leadership post on October 4.[13]After West's retirement he received more than 2,000 letters and e-mails offering him moral support.[11] A letter supporting West was signed by 95 members of Congress and sent to the Secretary of the Army.[11]

Post-military career (2004–2007)

After retiring from the U.S. Army, West moved his family to Florida and taught U.S. history and coached track and field at Deerfield Beach High School for a year.[11][14] He then spent two years working for Military Professional Resources Inc., a defense contractor. While with MPRI, West served in Kandahar, Afghanistan as a "regional director."[15] In that capacity, he was an adviser to the Afghan National Army.[16]

U.S. House of Representatives

West speaking at the 2010 CPAC. West returned the following year as the keynote speaker on February 13, 2011.[17]

Elections

2008
See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Florida, 2008 § District 22

In the 2008 elections, West was the Republican candidate for Congress in Florida's 22nd Congressional district, unsuccessfully challenging the incumbent Democrat, Congressman Ron Klein. West was defeated by a margin of 9.4% of the votes.[18]

2010
See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Florida, 2010 § District 22

West spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference on February 20, 2010 and was endorsed by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.[19] West was one of 32 African-American Republican candidates for Congress in 2010. He said he supported the Tea Party movement and rejected the notion that the movement was motivated by racism, saying the accusation was a creation of liberal critics and the news media.[20] West has been described as a "tea party star"[21] became a member of the congressional Tea Party Caucus in February, 2011.[22] West defeated incumbent Ron Klein by a margin of 8.8%. West, along with newly elected Tim Scott, are the first African-American Republicans in Congress since J.C. Watts retired in 2003.[23] West raised $5.4 million for his campaign, while his incumbent opponent raised $2.5 million. According to West, "...over 97 percent of our donations have come from individual contributions."[24][25]

2012
Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Florida, 2012 § District 18

West raised more than $1.5 million in the 2011 second quarter to support his 2012 reelection bid. [26][27][28]

In 2011, the National Journal's Cook Political Report named West one of the top 10 Republicans most vulnerable to redistricting in 2012.[29]

On February 1, 2012, West announced that he will run for reelection from the new 18th Congressional District, which consists of a majority of the current 16th Congressional District. This comes in the wake of Representative Tom Rooney switching from the 16th Congressional District to the 17th Congressional District. This move is considered to dramatically improve West's chances of reelection, though it will likely still be a competitive race.[30]

A political attack ad released by American Sunrise PAC was extremely critical of his policies and depicted him in violent cartoon action against several individuals. West immediately issued a statement condemning the ad, stating that it "plays on stereotypes" with the goal of diverting Americans from more pressing matters at hand such as high unemployment. He claimed the ad was released by the family of his opponent. The campaign manager of his opponent, Patrick Murphy, claimed the ad was from a third party and therefore held no liability for it.[31]

While West lost his seat to Murphy by a margin of around 2,500 votes,[32] he has refused to concede and is demanding a recount.[33]

Tenure

West joined the Congressional Black Caucus on January 5, 2011. He is the first Republican to join the caucus since former Congressman Gary Franks retired in 1997.[34]

There are those who will hate your own country, America, regardless of the self-evident truths. To you I say that life just does not get any better than the 'Land of the all night IHOP' … and if you truly hate America so much, you are also free to find another home. There is surely an illegal immigrant who will be happy in yours.

— Allen West, in his 2007 debut monthly "Column From Kandahar" for Pamela Geller's Atlas Shrugs blog [6]

West has described Michael Ledeen as one of his "foreign policy heroes",[35] and implored his followers to read Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals to "understand what they're up against."[6] Other authors West has cited in helping him shape his worldview include philosopher John Stuart Mill and Union Army General William Tecumseh Sherman, known for the proclamation that "war is hell."[6]

Ideologically, West has cast his work overseas in historical terms, theorizing that America is following in the footsteps of Charles Martel at the Battle of Tours, or the 300 Spartan Hoplites at the Battle of Thermopylae, in defending Western civilization against Muslim threats from the Middle East.[6] In speaking on what he believes to be Islam's proclivity for violence, West remarked that "Something happened when Mohammed enacted the Hijra and he left Mecca and he went out to Medina, it became violence."[6] In lieu of this view, in February 2011, West cited the threat of "radical Islamic terrorists" as his motivation for voting to extend provisions of the Patriot Act;[36] however, he voted against another extension in May 2011.[37]

West's rhetoric has won him both support and condemnation from differing groups along the American political spectrum. Members of the conservative movement view him as a "torch bearer" and "conservative icon", with Sarah Palin and Ted Nugent both recommending him for Vice President, and Glenn Beck supporting him for President.[6] Several remarks by West have caused differing degrees of controversy.[38] These include calling President Obama "an abject failure," ordering both pro-Palestinian demonstrators and the views of "chicken men" Democrats to "get the hell out" of the United States, opining that drivers with Obama bumper stickers are "a threat to the gene pool", and pronouncing that black Democrats are trying to keep his fellow African Americans "on the plantation", while casting himself as the "modern-day Harriet Tubman" ferrying them to rescue.[6] In a critical summation of West's stylistic bombast, the left-leaning Mother Jones magazine hypothesized that for West "every sentence is a proxy war in the larger struggle between patriots and the 'people in this world that just have to have their butts kicked.'"[6]

In January 2011, West joined House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) in condemning the official flying of a Palestine Liberation Organization flag in Washington D.C.. West said that the raising of the flag is "an attempt to legitimize an organization with a known history of terrorist actions".[39] When asked during an interview with The Shalom Show how he would work with others "like Keith Ellison, who supports Islam" West stated that Ellison, a Minnesota Congressman and practicing Muslim, represents the "antithesis of the principles upon which this country was established."[40] West later argued that his initial comment was misconstrued. He said the comments were "not about his Islamic faith, but about his continued support of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)."[41] In a Boynton Beach Town Hall meeting, West told the Miami leader of CAIR that "I will always defend your right to practice a free religion under the First Amendment, but what you must understand, if I am speaking the truth, I am not going to stop speaking the truth. The truth is not subjective."[42]

On July 19, 2011, West sent an email to Democratic Representative and Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz in response to comments directed at him in a speech the Congresswoman made on the floor of the House of Representatives after West had departed the chamber.[43] West's email, which he copied to members of House Democratic and Republican leadership, characterized Wasserman as "the most vile, unprofessional, and despicable member of the US House of Representatives", said that she was "not a Lady" and asked that she focus, instead, on her own congressional district.[44] This is a long-standing dispute that West says "dates back to the disgusting protest you ordered at my campaign headquarters, October 2010 in Deerfield Beach."[45]

In 2011, West voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 as part of a controversial provision that allows the government and the military to indefinitely detain American citizens and others without trial.[46]

At town hall meeting in Palm City, Florida on April 11, 2012, West was asked by a man in the audience: "What percentage of the American legislature do you think are card carrying Marxists or International Socialists?" West responded that he believed "there's about 78 to 81 members of the Democrat Party that are members of the Communist Party." When asked to name them, he replied "It's called the Congressional Progressive Caucus."[47]

Committee assignments

West was appointed to the House Armed Services Committee and the Small Business Committee.[48]

Personal life

In addition to being a certified master scuba diver, West is an avid motorcyclist who rides his American-flag-painted Honda VTX 1800R retro cruiser to various campaign events.[6] He frequently appears at these rallies donning boots and a black leather vest adorned with Rolling Thunder patches on the back and the word "Christian" on the front.[6]

West married Angela M. Graham on Christmas Eve in 1989. She is a financial adviser with a Ph.D. in education.[49] They currently reside in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and have two teenage daughters.[50][51]

Electoral history

2008 22nd Congressional District of Florida Elections
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ron Klein (incumbent) 169,041 54.7
Republican Allen West 140,104 45.3
2010 22nd Congressional District of Florida Elections
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Allen West 115,411 54.3
Democratic Ron Klein (incumbent) 97,051 45.7

References

  1. ^ "Top 50 House Nonincumbents by Contributions from Individuals January 1, 2009 – June 30, 2009" (PDF). Federal Election Commission. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Guide to the New Congress" (PDF). CQ Roll Call. November 4, 2010. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c "About Allen West". Allen West for Congress. September 1, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  4. ^ Ferguson, Ellyn (November 6, 2010). "112th Congress: Allen West, R-Fla. (22nd District)". Congressional Quarterly. Retrieved November 7, 2010.[dead link‍]
  5. ^ "Minority candidates rack up poll history". London Morning Star. November 3, 2010. Archived from the original on November 05 2010. Retrieved November 3, 2010. In Florida Allen West is the first black Republican elected to Congress from Florida since a former slave served two terms in the 1870s. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Allen West's Rise From the Florida Fever Swamps: A Short, Strange Trip into the Belly of the Anti-Shariah Beast by Tim Murphy, Mother Jones magazine, July/August 2012 Issue
  7. ^ Allen West Ancestry. Ancestry.com. Accessed July 4, 2012.
  8. ^ a b Man, Anthony (December 4, 2010). "Allen West: from controversy to Congress". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  9. ^ a b "Lieutenant Colonel Allen West". American Greatness. AmericanGreatness.org. November 23, 2010. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
  10. ^ "Iraq: The Inside Story By Lieutenant Colonel Allen West". OpinionBug.com. October 16, 2004. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Sontag, Deborah; Fisher, Ian (May 27, 2004). "The Struggle For Iraq: Interrogations; How Colonel Risked His Career By Menacing Detainee and Lost". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 18, 2010. Retrieved October 16, 2010. In western Broward County, where Lt. Col. Allen B. West, 43, is preparing to start life over as a high school social studies teacher...
  12. ^ a b c "U.S. Officer Fined for Harsh Interrogation Tactics". CNN. December 12, 2003. Archived from the original on December 11, 2007.
  13. ^ Department of the Army, 43rd Military Police Detachment (CID)(FWD), 10th Military Police Battalion, United States Army Criminal Investigation Command (February 6, 2004). "Memorandum, Subject: CID Report Of Investigation – Final – 0152-03-CID469-60212-5C1A/5C2/5T1" (PDF). Retrieved September 28, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Man, Anthony (December 5, 2010). "Allen West: Fiery freshman hopes to shake up Washington". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  15. ^ "Afghan Translator Sounds Off For Lt. Col. Allen B. West". OpinionBug.com. January 10, 2008. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  16. ^ "Allen B West is US House Republican Candidate for Floridas 22nd District | Maggie's Notebook". Maggiesnotebook.com. April 3, 2010. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ Taylor, Jessica (February 12, 2011). "The Meteoric Rise of Allen West". National Journal. Atlantic Media. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  18. ^ Rachel Kapochunas (May 31, 2007). "GOP Targets Well-Funded Florida Freshman". Yahoo News. Retrieved June 21, 2007. [dead link‍]
  19. ^ Bennett, George (March 30, 2010). "Sarah Palin promotes Allen West's challenge of Democratic U.S. Rep. Ron Klein". Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2011. On her Facebook page, former GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is supporting Republican congressional candidate Allen West.... {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Steinhauer, Jennifer (May 4, 2010). "Black Hopefuls Pick This Year in G.O.P. Races". The New York Times. Arthur O. Sulzberger. Retrieved November 3, 2010. Among the many reverberations of President Obama's election....
  21. ^ Sherman, Amy. "Allen West makes waves, earns tea-party raves – Broward". MiamiHerald.com. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  22. ^ "Allen West joins congressional Tea Party Caucus | Florida Politics | Sun Sentinel blog". Weblogs.sun-sentinel.com. February 7, 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  23. ^ NPR It's All Politics, James, Frank [1], Black GOP Lawmakers Face Tricky Relations With Democrats, January 4, 2011.
  24. ^ Isenstadt, Alex. "Allen West rakes in $1.6M". Politico.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2010. Retrieved November 16, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "Congressional Elections: Florida District 22 Race: 2010 Cycle". OpenSecrets. Archived from the original on November 16, 2010. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
  26. ^ "Rep. Allen West scores $1.5M haul in second quarter". Allen West Nation. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  27. ^ "Allen West rakes in $1.6M – Alex Isenstadt". Politico.Com. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  28. ^ "Broward Politics | Sun Sentinel Blogs | Congressman Allen West reports huge fundraising quarter, takes in $1.5 million". Weblogs.sun-sentinel.com. July 11, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  29. ^ David Wasserman and Julia Edwards (April 15, 2011). "Top 10 Republicans Most Vulnerable to Redistricting". Cook Political Report. National Journal. Archived from the original on May 01 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ "CBS News Political Hot Sheet for February 1, 2012". Cbsnews.com. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
  31. ^ Jennifer Bendery (August 9, 2012). "Campaign Ad Shows Allen West Punching Women In The Face". Huffington Post. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  32. ^ "Allen West Election Results: Democratic Newcomer Patrick Murphy Prevails".
  33. ^ Robillard, Kevin (November 7, 2012). "Rep. Allen West demands recount". Politico.
  34. ^ Southall, Ashley (January 5, 2011). "Republican Allen West Joins Congressional Black Caucus". New York Times. Archived from the original on January 20, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2011. The all-Democrat Congressional Black Caucus welcomed its first Republican member in 14 years on Wednesday, with the swearing-in of Representative Allen B. West of Florida. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ West, Allen (February 15, 2011). "Busy Week Culminates with Closing Speech to CPAC". Red Country. Retrieved February 16, 2011. I had the chance to spend time with constituents at the showing of the film "Iranium" and was able to see one of my foreign policy heroes, Mr. Michael Ledeen.
  36. ^ Man, Anthony (February 15, 2011). "Allen West catches some flak for supporting Patriot Act provisions". Broward County Sun Sentinel. Retrieved February 16, 2011.
  37. ^ "Congressman Allen West Votes "NO" on Patriot Act Renewal". The Shark Tank. May 27, 2011.
  38. ^ "Shit Rep. Allen West Says": The Epic Video Anthology by Asawin Suebsaeng, Mother Jones magazine, August 6, 2012
  39. ^ Wallman, Brittany (January 19, 2011). "New congressman Rep. Allen West denounces raising of PLO flag". Sun Sentinel Blogs. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  40. ^ Herb, Jeremy (January 24, 2011). "Rep. West: Ellison "antithesis" of country's founding principles". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
  41. ^ Hooper, Molly (February 13, 2011). "Some in Black Caucus embrace GOP member, but others say they're 'leery'". The Hill. Archived from the original on February 14, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  42. ^ CAmia, Catalina (February 2, 2011). "GOP Rep. Allen West draws fire for Muslim comments". USA Today. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
  43. ^ Man, Anthony (July 19, 2011). "Wassserman Schultz critical of Allen West on federal budget-cutting measure". Sun Sentinel.
  44. ^ Smith, Ben (July 19, 2011). "Allen West tirade: Wasserman-Schultz 'vile...despicable...not a Lady'". Politico.
  45. ^ "Florida Reps. Allen West, Debbie Wasserman Schultz clash". Los Angeles Times. July 20, 2011.
  46. ^ http://www.ibtimes.com/ndaa-bill-how-did-your-congress-member-vote-384362?page=1
  47. ^ Florida Rep Labels Congressional Democrats as Communists by CNN, April 11, 2012
  48. ^ Derby, Kevin (December 20, 2010). "Florida's New Republicans in Congress Get Committee Assignments". Sunshine State News. Retrieved December 20, 2010. Incoming Republican U.S. Rep. Allen West, who defeated Democrat U.S. Rep. Ron Klein in November, is headed to the House Armed Services Committee – a natural fit for West, a retired Army officer who served in Iraq.
  49. ^ "FAU - Angela Graham-West". Florida Atlantic University. 2012. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
  50. ^ West, Allen (December 28, 2010). "Allen West's Final Wrap Up For 2010". allenwest2012. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
  51. ^ West, Allen (June 11, 2012). "Rep. Allen West moves to Palm Beach Gardens". TCpalm. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
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