Stephen J. Solarz, Former N.Y. Congressman, Dies at 70

[alp227]

Source: The New York Times

Stephen J. Solarz, a nine-term Democratic congressman whose concerns went beyond traffic lights and beach erosion in his Brooklyn district to nuclear weapons, the Middle East and his revelation that Imelda Marcos owned 3,000 pairs of shoes, died Monday in Washington. He was 70 and lived in McLean, Va.

His death, at a Washington hospital, was caused by esophageal cancer, his wife, Nina, said.

When he was elected to the House in 1974, Mr. Solarz finagled a seat on the Foreign Affairs Committee with the idea that he could appeal to his largely Jewish district by attending to the needs of Israel. He immediately threw himself into foreign policy issues, visiting leaders of Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Syria in his first month on the job. He soon became a leading voice in the House on foreign affairs.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/nyregion/30solarz.html

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I have videotape recorded by my parents of Solarz being interviewed on NBC's Meet the Press in June 1989 talking about the Tiananmen protests and the US government's responsive actions towards China. I'll find that on Youtube or upload it myself.

[aquart]

1. RIP, Mr. Solarz.

I remember your name.