Gary Ackerman was a prominent Democratic Party politician who served New York's fifth district in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 2013. Throughout his career, he was known for his dedication to issues such as financial services, foreign affairs, and family rights.
Born on November 19, 1942 in New York, Gary Ackerman was the grandson of Russian and Polish Jewish immigrants. He grew up in Brooklyn as the son of Max and Eva Ackerman, who instilled in him a strong work ethic and dedication to public service. After graduating from Queens College in the mid-1960s, Ackerman began his career as a teacher in the New York City public schools before becoming the editor of the Queens Tribune.
Ackerman's political career began in the New York State Senate, where he quickly gained a reputation for his passion for social justice and advocacy for working families. In the late 1960s, he made headlines by suing the New York City Board of Education for refusing to grant him paternity leave following the birth of his child. This experience would shape Ackerman's future legislative priorities, as he later championed the Family and Medical Leave Act while serving in Congress.
During his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, Ackerman served on the Committees on Financial Services and Foreign Affairs, where he played a key role in passing important legislation related to healthcare and international relations. Notably, he was instrumental in passing an amendment to the Ryan White Care Act that required hospitals to test all newborns for the HIV virus, a measure that would save countless lives in the years to come.
Throughout his career, Ackerman's family remained at the center of his life. He and his wife, Rita Tewel, raised three children: Lauren, Corey, and Ari. Ackerman's commitment to family values and work-life balance was evident in his advocacy for paternity leave rights and support for family-friendly policies in the workplace.
While Gary Ackerman may have retired from politics in 2013, his legacy continues to inspire a new generation of leaders to fight for justice and equality for all. His dedication to public service, commitment to family values, and passion for social justice will forever be remembered in the annals of American political history.