Adam Benjamin Jr. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromIndiana's1st district | |
| In office January 3, 1977 – September 7, 1982 | |
| Preceded by | Ray J. Madden |
| Succeeded by | Katie Hall |
| Member of theIndiana Senate | |
| In office 1971–1977 | |
| Member of theIndiana House of Representatives | |
| In office 1967–1971 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1935-08-06)August 6, 1935 Gary, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | September 7, 1982(1982-09-07) (aged 47) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | Calumet Park Cemetery Merrillville, Indiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Patricia |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | B.S.United States Military Academy, J.D.Valparaiso University |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Marine Corps United States Army |
| Years of service | 1952–1961 |
| Rank | First lieutenant |
| Unit | 101st Airborne Division |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
Adam Benjamin Jr. (August 6, 1935 – September 7, 1982) was an American politician and aUnited States representative fromIndiana's 1st congressional district, serving from 1977 until his death from a heart attack in Washington, D.C. in 1982. Benjamin was the firstAssyrian-American to be elected to theUnited States House of Representatives in American history.[1] Benjamin served in the Indiana Senate from 1971 to 1977, the Indiana House of Representatives from 1967 to 1971, and was a member of theDemocratic Party.
Born to anAssyrian father, Adam Benjamin, andArmenian mother, Margaret Marjanian, inGary, Indiana, on August 6, 1935, Adam Benjamin Jr. graduated fromKemper Military School inBoonville, Missouri, in 1952.[2] Benjamin joined theMarine Corps in 1952, and served as acorporal in theKorean War until he was honorably discharged in 1954.[3] After serving in the Marine Corps, he gained an appointment to theUnited States Military Academy,West Point, New York, earning a B.S. degree in engineering in 1958. Following three years in the 101st airborne division the "Screaming Eagles", and ranger training in theU.S. Army, in 1961 Benjamin left the Army as afirst lieutenant.
After his service in the Military, Benjamin returned to Gary in 1961 and began teaching math and physics at Edison High School. Two years later, he entered public service as Gary's zoning administrator from 1963 to 1965, and gained further experience in local government acting as Gary Mayor A. Martin Katz's executive secretary from 1965 through 1966.[4]
During his work in public service, Benjamin attendedValparaiso University Law School, graduated with hisJuris Doctor and was admitted to the Indiana Bar Association in 1966. Shortly after Benjamin was admitted to the Indiana Bar, he ran for a seat in theIndiana House of Representatives, winning two consecutive terms in 1966, and in 1968.[2] Benjamin served in the Indiana House until he won a seat in theIndiana Senate in 1970, winning reelection in 1974, and served in the Indiana Senate from 1971 to 1977. During his time in the Indiana Senate, Benjamin was named Outstanding State Senator by newsmen assigned to report on the Indiana General Assembly. As a state legislator, Mr. Benjamin developed a new code of ethics for legislators, worked on a new state medical malpractice act, and facilitated court reform for theLake County Superior Court system.[4] Two years after Benjamin won a seat in the Indiana Senate, he challenged incumbent 12-term CongressmanRay J. Madden for the Democratic nomination for Indiana's 1st congressional district, but eventually lost the hotly contested primary. By 1976, having gained significant name recognition as an Indiana legislator, Benjamin again challenged Madden in the Democratic primary, this time defeating him with 56% of the vote, compared with Madden's 34%. In the general election Benjamin beat evangelical Protestant educator, and co-founder ofMoral Majority, Robert J. Billings, with a 40% margin of victory.[5][6]
Benjamin served in the95th,96th, and97th Congresses from 1977 until his death in 1982. Benjamin sat on theHouse Appropriations Committee, and served as the chairman of theHouse Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, aiding Northwest Indiana with projects such as improved Amtrak facilities, new South Shore Railroad commuter cars, and funding for an I-94 interchange to provide access to theIndiana Dunes National Lakeshore as well as improvements in Gary's bus system and municipal airport.[7] In addition, Benjamin chaired the executive committee of theCongressional Steel Caucus, a bi-partisan coalition of congressman that promotes the health and stability of the domestic steel industry. To encourage the Calumet Region's economic recovery, Benjamin worked to establish the Calumet Forum, with representatives of labor, industry, banking, publishing, education, politics, transportation, and the religious community seeking to promote the economic resurgence and development of the Region. Regarding the importance of the Forum, Benjamin commented, "I've put myself on the line for this ... I've got to do it. It just has to be done."
Benjamin continued to gain a reputation for hard work, dedication, effectiveness, and loyalty among both his colleagues and his constituents. He retained his seat in the 1978 and 1980 elections, and was seeking a fourth congressional term in 1982. However, on September 7, 1982, he was found dead in his Washington apartment, aged 47; the cause wasarteriosclerosis.[8][9] He is buried inMerrillville, Indiana's Calumet Park Cemetery.[9]
TheAdam Benjamin Metro Center in downtownGary, Indiana and theVeterans Affairs clinic inCrown Point, Indiana,[10] are named in his honor.Indiana State Road 51 inHobart, Indiana is signed as the Adam Benjamin Highway.
Benjamin and his wife, Patricia, had three children.[8]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Adam Benjamin Jr. | 121,155 | 71.3 | ||
| Republican | Robert J. Billings | 48,756 | 28.7 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Adam Benjamin Jr. | 72,367 | 80.2% | ||
| Republican | Robert J. Billings | 17,419 | 19.3 | ||
| U.S. Labor | Christopher Martinson | 384 | 0.4% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Adam Benjamin Jr. | 112,016 | 72.0% | ||
| Republican | Joseph Douglas Harkin | 43,537 | 28.0% | ||
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromIndiana's 1st congressional district 1977–1982 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
