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Charlie Wilson dies in hospital Charlie Wilson dies in hospital
(about 7 hours later)
Former US congressman Charlie Wilson has died at the age of 76, a hospital spokeswoman has said.Former US congressman Charlie Wilson has died at the age of 76, a hospital spokeswoman has said.
Mr Wilson represented Texas in the House of Representatives from 1973 to 1996 and was nicknamed "Good Time Charlie" for his party-loving ways.Mr Wilson represented Texas in the House of Representatives from 1973 to 1996 and was nicknamed "Good Time Charlie" for his party-loving ways.
The 2007 Hollywood film Charlie Wilson's War told of his efforts to arm the Afghan mujahedeen during the 1980s Soviet occupation. The 2007 Hollywood film Charlie Wilson's War told of his efforts to arm the Afghan mujahideen during the 1980s Soviet occupation.
Actor Tom Hanks portrayed Mr Wilson in the movie.Actor Tom Hanks portrayed Mr Wilson in the movie.
A hospital spokeswoman told the Associated Press news agency that Mr Wilson had been taken to hospital after he started having breathing difficulties while attending a meeting in Lufkin, Texas.A hospital spokeswoman told the Associated Press news agency that Mr Wilson had been taken to hospital after he started having breathing difficulties while attending a meeting in Lufkin, Texas.
She said Mr Wilson was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital and cited "cardiopulmonary arrest" as the preliminary cause of death.She said Mr Wilson was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital and cited "cardiopulmonary arrest" as the preliminary cause of death.
A Democrat, Mr Wilson started his political career at the age of 27 as a state representative for his home district in Texas, in the heart of the East Texas Bible Belt.A Democrat, Mr Wilson started his political career at the age of 27 as a state representative for his home district in Texas, in the heart of the East Texas Bible Belt.
He then went on to become a state senator before being elected to the US Congress, where he served 12 terms until his retirement in 1996.He then went on to become a state senator before being elected to the US Congress, where he served 12 terms until his retirement in 1996.
"Charlie was perfect as a congressman, perfect as a state representative, perfect as a state senator. He was a perfect reflection of the people he represented. If there was anything wrong with Charlie, I never did know what it was," AP quoted his former chief-of-staff, Charles Schnabel, as saying."Charlie was perfect as a congressman, perfect as a state representative, perfect as a state senator. He was a perfect reflection of the people he represented. If there was anything wrong with Charlie, I never did know what it was," AP quoted his former chief-of-staff, Charles Schnabel, as saying.