Republican Rep. C.W. Bill Young, Florida's longest-serving member of Congress and an institution in the Tampa Bay area, has decided to retire.

The 82-year-old lawmaker first announced his decision in the Tampa Bay Times on Wednesday. His spokesman, Harry Glenn, confirmed it.

In recent years, Young has become increasingly frail and has relied on a wheelchair. He told the Times his decision was based on both his health and a desire to spend more time with his family.

He added that he has been at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., since Friday due to back problems that stemmed from a 1970 small-plane crash.

Within an hour of Young's announcement, praise of his service from his fellow Florida politicians emerged.

"Congressman Bill Young is an American patriot," tweeted former Republican Gov. Jeb Bush. "We appreciate his service!"

When Clearwater Mayor George Cretekos heard the news he said he had a lump in this throat.

“Congressman Young, he’s been more than an institution, he’s been a statesman, he’s been a mentor, he’s been a friend," said Cretekos. "I just can’t imagine not having him as my Congressman.”

Strong supporter of military

Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio praised Young for his support for the military. "No one has fought harder for the servicemen and women in this country and for returning veterans than Bill and his wife, Beverly," wrote Rubio in a news release.

Said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, a Democrat: "He was always someone who approached solutions in a bipartisan way. He will be missed."

Young said he will serve the rest of his term, which ends next year. His district is expected to be up for grabs.

According to the Florida Secretary of State's office, the district is composed of 37.7 percent Republicans, 35.2 percent Democrats, 23.2 percent independents. The rest are registered with other parties.

In 2012, President Obama carried the district 52-46 percent in the presidential race, while Young beat Democratic challenger Jessica Ehrlich 58-42 percent.

Ehrlich has already declared her candidacy for 2014 and had raised nearly $154,000 as of July.

Young was born in Harmarville, Pa., and later moved to Indian Shores in Pinellas County.

He served in the Army National Guard from 1948 to 1957, then became an aide to U.S. Rep. William Cramer from 1957 to 1960. From 1961 to 1971, he served in the Florida Senate.

First elected in 1970

He was first elected to the U.S. House in 1970. Young and his wife, Beverly, have three children. His son, Bill Young II, has expressed interest in the past in running for office.

The congressman has been a longtime member of the House Appropriations Committee, where he focused on military spending. He and his wife frequently visited ailing service members at hospitals in the Washington area.

When asked by the paper if congressional deadlock was a factor in his retirement, Young replied: "I'm a little disappointed. It seems there's too much politics. It's a different Congress."

Still, he expressed affection for Republican tea party members in the House.

"I love every one of these guys," he said. "They're doing what they think is right. That's what I did."

As one of the strongest defense hawks in Congress, Young made headlines in 2012 when he said the United States should withdraw its forces from Afghanistan.

Young told The Associated Press at the time that "we're killing kids who don't need to die," and reflected the growing weariness with a conflict that had dragged on for more than a decade.

Young brought hundreds of millions of dollars in earmarks back to the Tampa Bay area, and built up a defense contracting industry in the region, creating jobs and stirring the economy.

Information from the Associated Press was included in this story

Reaction (full text):

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg) in a statement:

“I join our neighbors across the Tampa Bay area and Florida in lauding Congressman Bill Young’s long-time service in Congress and his dedication to our community, especially his passion for our military members, veterans and their families. Congressman Young and his wife, Beverly, have left a tremendous legacy in not only advocating for MacDill Air Force Base and our war fighters, but also the families who provide our soldiers with the unwavering support and sacrifice they need to serve our country. He also has left his mark in numerous areas including the University of South Florida, Bay Pines Medical Center, St. Petersburg College, and Tampa Bay Water. It has been a privilege to serve alongside Congressman Young, who is one of the most honorable members of Congress ever to serve in the body.”

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) in a statement:

“Floridians owe Bill Young a debt of gratitude for his 53 years of service to our state and country. Bill has fought tirelessly for the interests of Pinellas County, St. Pete and the Tampa Bay area in the state legislature and U.S. Congress by helping to strengthen our state’s defense industry and creating thousands of jobs. Additionally, no one has fought harder for the servicemen and women in this country and for returning veterans than Bill and his wife, Beverly. Bill is a true statesman whose wisdom, commitment and expertise will be sorely missed in Congress. Jeanette and I wish Beverly and Bill all the best as they begin the next chapter of their life.” 

U.S. Sen Bill Nelson (D-Florida) in a statement:

“I thank Bill Young for all of his years of dedicated public service. He was always someone who approached solutions in a bipartisan way  He will be missed.” 

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn in a statement:

“The entire Tampa area will lose an advocate in Congressman Young when he retires next year. From his support for the University of South Florida to MacDill Air Force Base to the TIGER grant for our Riverwalk, Congressman Young always fought the good fight when it came to his constituents. In 1991, I watched him lead the effort to save MacDill AFB from the Base Closure Commission, and his support for MacDill has never wavered since. Much of what MacDill has become can be attributed to the work of Bill Young.The men and women who serve our country are a passion for Bill and Beverly Young. We will always remember their quiet and unwavering support of our troops. While he technically did not represent Tampa, he always had Tampa Bay’s best interest at heart.”