Remembering the Legacy of Congressman Bill Goodling: A Beacon of Community, Education, and Civic Responsibility
Embracing Tradition, Navigating Change, and Upholding Values in York County’s Story
June 11th, 2024
Photo from Scott J. Ferrell/CQ Roll Call File Photo
We have a responsibility to save our father from the underworld." This is a metaphor that Dr. Jordan Peterson lectures on in many of his YouTube series and old college lectures. This is a heavy phrase to wrestle with, as you can dive deep into its meaning. Essentially, what we can take from it is that when embarking on the adventure of our life, we are going to run into challenges. This can be both personal and communal. When sorting through how to move forward from the chaos that arises from these challenges, we have the ability to draw from thousands of years of conventional wisdom to find the pathway back to order. Many times, we have the ignorance to reject what once was because of how far we have come as a society, but we stand on the shoulders of giants. Looking to the past for answers to life allows us to remember exactly who we are and where we are looking to go. As Dr. Peterson said, "You are a historical being. You are a cultural being. You cannot live without your culture. You think you can, but you can't."
This is why at YOCO Live, we remember our community's past. As our culture moves into the future, we look to remember who we are through the actions of our history. We will delve into our community and its leaders to orient ourselves with the present and remember exactly who we are. That is why we will be examining Congressman Bill Goodling.
Bill Goodling served as York County's representative in Washington, D.C., for 13 years. He followed in the footsteps of his father, George Goodling, who had also been a Congressman from York County. Bill Goodling was known as a Compassionate Conservative, a label that aligned him with George H.W. Bush. His most notable achievement was the passage of the Even Start Program, which provided federal funding to families in need of support to create a literate home environment and improve the academic success of their children. This was especially important at a time when American students were facing challenges such as family breakdown, eroding traditional values, and the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Congressman Goodling worked diligently to streamline federal programs and cut wasteful spending. He successfully consolidated, eliminated, or repealed over 150 federal education and job training programs, saving taxpayers' money. His efforts had a lasting impact, as many of his initiatives were included in the No Child Left Behind Act signed in 2002.
However, Bill Goodling's legacy goes beyond his time in Congress. Before entering politics, he was a teacher, guidance counselor, principal, superintendent, coach, husband, and father. These roles shaped his dedication to education and family values, leaving a lasting impact on the community he served.
William "Bill" Goodling was born on December 5, 1927, in Loganville, Pennsylvania. He grew up with five brothers and sisters, surrounded by a large family. His childhood was filled with work and service, as he helped out on the family fruit farm. Bill would spend his mornings before school and immediately after working on the farm. He attended a two-room schoolhouse near Seven Valleys, PA for his first six years of schooling. At a young age, Congressman Goodling developed a deep admiration for his teachers, particularly one named Miss Yost. He was impressed by her ability to provide a strong foundational education while also serving as the school nurse, disciplinarian, and babysitter for 32 students in grades 1-4. This experience inspired Bill to pursue a lifelong career in the field of education. Congressman Goodling eventually graduated from William Penn High School.
After graduation, he joined the United States Army in 1946 and was stationed in Japan until 1948. Upon returning home, he enrolled at the University of Maryland and earned his bachelor’s degree. He later obtained his Master’s in Education from Western Maryland University, now known as McDaniel, and pursued a doctoral degree from Penn State University. During his studies, he coached football, baseball, and basketball at Southeastern School District, where he later became a teacher and a guidance counselor.
In 1957, while teaching at Southeastern, he met Hilda Mae Wright, the older sister of one of his students. Hilda Mae, a farm girl from Hopewell Township, and Congressman Goodling fell in love and got married. Both passionate educators, they touched the hearts of thousands of students together, maintaining a 50-year marriage until her passing in 2008.
Congressman Goodling later became the Principal of West York Area School District. In addition to his educational roles, he served as the Dallastown Area School Districts School Board President, coached American Legion Baseball, and was active in the Boy Scouts of America, local health organizations, and the Loganville Methodist Church. In 1967, Congressman Goodling became the superintendent of Schools for Spring Grove Area School District.
After Republican Congressman George Goodling, Bill Goodling's father, decided not to run for another term in 1974, paving the way for Bill's run into office. His first foray into politics was a tough one. He entered a 7-way Republican primary election and beat all six other candidates, earning his way into the General Election. The General Election was a difficult challenge as Republicans were facing backlash in the country due to the Watergate Scandal and Nixon's resignation. Congressman Goodling went on to win the General Election with 51% of the vote. The rest of his career, elections went rather smoothly, with an exception in 1992 after the House Banking Scandal, in which he found himself embroiled. However, that election turned out to be just fine with some help from Newt Gingrich.
While in Congress, Congressman Goodling faced numerous challenges. For the majority of his early career, Congressman Goodling had to learn how to legislate from the minority. From the time he entered Congress in 1975 until 1995, Congress was under Democratic control. This allowed him to learn how to work across the aisle with Democrats to pass substantial reforms, specifically with Representative George Miller from California, even if they engaged in heated debates during committee meetings.
Congressman Goodling served on the Education and Workforce Committee, where many of his key accomplishments were made. Upon joining, he was elevated in his seat due to the panel acknowledging his background in education. He persevered through 20 years of working in the minority. When Republicans finally took control of the House in 1994, he was poised to become Chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee.
In 1995, he finally took the Chairmanship of the House Education and Workforce Committee and was eager to get to work. Due to his history of working with Democrats while in the minority and his overall moderate stance, many Republicans were wary of his politics. This led Speaker Congressman Newt Gingrich to add multiple conservative freshman members of Congress to the education panel during his speakership. Congressman Goodling worked diligently to maintain federal school lunch programs and in 1998, he passed a child nutrition Bill that would later bear his name. During this time, he also advocated for early childhood education programs such as Head Start and Even Start, as well as fought for increased special education funding.
Under Congressman Goodling's leadership, several pieces of legislation were passed through the House of Representatives, including the Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Program Act, the Vocational Education Act, the Post-Secondary Education Act, and the Adult Education Act. He also successfully blocked former President Bill Clinton's proposed national testing program, arguing that testing alone would not solve the issues in our schools. Due to term limits on committee chairmanships, he served as chair for only six years.
In addition to his work in education, Congressman Goodling also served on the Foreign Relations Committee and the Small Business Committee. After his time as Chairman, he retired from Congress in 2001. One memorable story about Congressman Goodling was his habit of retreating to his office in the Longworth Building to play the piano when late-night legislative debates became overwhelming.
One of his lasting legacies was his dedication to the York County Community, where he was actively involved in various events and organizations. He prioritized human connections and even made time to attend local high school sporting events, particularly Central York Boys' Volleyball. Congressman Goodling also refused to accept money from outside political action committees.
After retiring from Congress, he founded the Goodling Family Literacy Research Institute and the Goodling Workforce Skills Center at Penn State University, as well as the Goodling Teacher Scholarship Fund. He also bred thoroughbred horses at his home in Seven Valleys, PA. Additionally, he received honorary Doctorate Degrees from Shippensburg University, Gettysburg College, and York College.
After battling health issues for several years, Congressman Goodling passed away on September 17, 2017. He is survived by his two children, Todd and Jennifer. Todd is an attorney and architect, while Jennifer, a former professional tennis player, now teaches the sport.
Reflecting on his remarkable life, there are several key takeaways. Firstly, the importance of community stands out. Congressman Goodling is remembered for the significant impact he had on the residents of York County whom he served. He was deeply committed to his district, with roots in the area dating back nearly 100 years before his birth. Having been involved in five different school districts, he had connections across the county with the next generation and their parents. Whether attending an Eagle Scout presentation or a high school sports match, Congressman Goodling made sure to be present, even amidst the chaos of Washington D.C., to spend time with his family and community. This dedication is something future legislators can look up to and emulate.
Secondly, his legacy in education is notable. Congressman Goodling, originally an educator, transitioned to a career in Congress. During his time in office, he focused on creating legislation guided by principles of individualism and keeping the Federal Government's involvement in education to a minimum. He emphasized the crucial role parents play in their children's education and the significance of their literacy in their child's literacy. Congressman Goodling aimed to enhance not just access to education for children and adults, but also the quality of education and ensuring accountability throughout the federal government. His passion for education was evident in the impact he had on thousands of students, and his influence continues through scholarships established in his name in higher education.
Lastly, Congressman Goodling can be remembered for his Citizen Legislator approach to politics. Like the founding fathers, he left his career to fulfill a civic duty in improving the nation. He remained a voice for the people he represented, avoiding special interest money from outside his district. His decision-making was driven by experience, not special interests, and he advocated for the growth of business and industry in York County. With a common-sense approach to decision-making, he focused on achieving results. Reflecting on Congressman Goodling's character and legacy, he remains a part of York's history and its people. Let us use his legacy as a guide as we move forward, striving to make York County an even better place.