Joseph Y. Resnick | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's28th district | |
| In office January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1969 | |
| Preceded by | J. Ernest Wharton |
| Succeeded by | Hamilton Fish IV |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Yale Resnick July 13, 1924 Ellenville, New York, U.S. |
| Died | October 6, 1969(1969-10-06) (aged 45) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Ruth Lehrer |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch/service |  United States Merchant Marine |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Joseph Yale Resnick (July 13, 1924 – October 6, 1969) was an American inventor,World War II veteran andDemocratic Congressman, member of theUnited States House of Representatives fromNew York (28th congressional district). He served two terms from 1965 to 1969.
Resnick was born inEllenville, New York, the son of Anna (Zaida) and Morris Resnick.[1] He served as a radio officer in theUnited States Merchant Marine inWorld War II. He also helped foundChannel Master, which became a leading producer of television antennas after Resnick invented an antenna which was inexpensive, easy to assemble and install, and did not require the expertise of a specially trained technician. He was also the inventor of the first TV antenna that improved reception by rotating towards the direction of the broadcast signal.[2] Before winning election to Congress Resnick served on the Ellenville school board.[3] By 1955, he and his brothers were millionaires, and their radio enterprises became a business empire worth about $45 million.[4][5][6]
Resnick was elected to Congress in 1964 fromNew York's 28th congressional district, a heavily Republican district, defeating 14-year Republican incumbentJ. Ernest Wharton.[7] He served from January 3, 1965 until January 3, 1969. During his tenure in Congress, Resnick took on theAmerican Farm Bureau Federation and a Resnick aide subsequently wrote a book on the subject. He was a champion of civil rights and also supported theVietnam War.
He played a central role in passing theAnimal Welfare Act of 1966, which empowered theUnited States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to protect and regulate the use of animals in research facilities.[7]
He unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for a seat in theUnited States Senate in 1968, finishing third behindNew York City councilmanPaul O'Dwyer andNassau County executiveEugene Nickerson.[2] Resnick's seat in the House was filled byHamilton Fish IV, whom Resnick had defeated in the 1966 election.
Resnick was found dead in aLas Vegas, Nevada hotel room on October 6, 1969. The cause of death was ruled to be amyocardial infarction.[2] He was buried at the Hebrew Aid Society Cemetery inWawarsing, New York.
TheJoseph Y. Resnick Airport in Resnick's hometown of Ellenville,Ulster County, is named for him.[8]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 28th congressional district 1965–1969 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
