James H. Scheuer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York | |
| In office January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1993 | |
| Preceded by | Frank J. Brasco |
| Succeeded by | Jerry Nadler (redistricting) |
| Constituency | 11th district (1975–83) 8th district (1983–93) |
| In office January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1973 | |
| Preceded by | James C. Healey |
| Succeeded by | Herman Badillo (redistricting) |
| Constituency | 21st district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Haas Scheuer (1920-02-06)February 6, 1920 New York City,New York, U.S. |
| Died | August 30, 2005(2005-08-30) (aged 85) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic Liberal |
| Spouse | Emily Malino |
| Children | 4 |
James Haas Scheuer (/ʃɔɪər/SHOY-er) (February 6, 1920 – August 30, 2005) was an American lawyer and military veteran who served as aDemocratic Party member of theUnited States House of Representatives fromNew York. He was also affiliated with theLiberal Party of New York.
Scheuer was born and raised inNew York City, where he attended theEthical Culture Fieldston School. He received a bachelor's degree fromSwarthmore College in 1942, a master's degree fromHarvard Business School in 1943, and a law degree fromColumbia University Law School in 1948.[1]
His brothers were Richard J. Scheuer, a scholar and philanthropist, Walter Scheuer, an investor and documentary-maker, andSteven H. Scheuer, a television and film critic. His sister is Amy Scheuer Cohen of Larchmont, NY. He was married in 1948 to interior designer Emily Malino (1925–2007) and had four children.[2] Scheuer contracted polio while on his honeymoon, and recuperated for a year at PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt'sWarm Springs facility inGeorgia. He walked with a cane for the rest of his life.[2]
Scheuer served in theUnited States Army from 1943 until 1945. After returning home, he was hired by theForeign Economic Administration, and in 1951 he became employed by the Office of Price Stabilization.
After an unsuccessful run for the House in 1962, Scheuer was elected to Congress in 1964. He originally served from January 3, 1965, until January 3, 1973. He also headed the National Housing Conference.
Scheuer was an early and outspoken opponent of the Vietnam War[3] and opposed governmental interference in private matters such as contraception and abortion.[2] A strong liberal, he supported legislation for theHead Start early education program, environmental protection and automotive safety.[2] He also was a staunch supporter of Israel and the cause ofSoviet Jews. He introduced a bill (HR 10638) to "provide for the establishment of the Negro History Museum Commission."[4] He was "the first high-ranking American official to meet withrefuseniks"[5] and in 1972 was detained and then expelled from the Soviet Union for meeting with Jews who were trying to emigrate from that country.[3][6][7]
Scheuer ran for Mayor of New York City in 1969, but finished last in a field of five in the Democratic primary.
Population loss in the Bronx and redistricting in 1970 and again in 1972 pitted Scheuer against two other incumbent Congressmen in succession. In 1970 he defeated RepresentativeJacob H. Gilbert, but two years later he was defeated by RepresentativeJonathan Bingham.
Scheuer ran for Congress once again in 1974, moving toNeponsit, Queens in a different New York City district to succeed retiring DemocratFrank J. Brasco, who represented parts of south Queens andBrooklyn. He served his second stint as Representative from January 3, 1975, until January 3, 1993. In the 1980 Census his district was once again eliminated and he again moved to an open seat, this time based in Northeast Queens.
Following his retirement, he served as the United States Director of theEuropean Bank for Reconstruction and Development from 1994 until 1996.[1]
Scheuer died of heart and kidney failure at age 85.[2]
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 21st congressional district 1965–1973 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 11th congressional district 1975–1983 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 8th congressional district 1983–1993 | Succeeded by |
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