NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — Tributes are pouring following the death of former New York Congressman Eliot Engel.<\/p>\n
Engel’s family announced announced his death in a statement on Friday, saying the 79-year-old former congressman died “surrounded by family and loved ones” in the Bronx.<\/p>\n
Engelwas chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and represented parts of the Bronx and Westchester County for 32 years. He was first elected in 1988 to Congress. The longtime congressman was defeated in 2020 primary by former progressive Democrat Rep. Jamaal Bowman, who won in that year’s general election.<\/p>\n
He was a strong supporter of gun control, and of Israel.<\/p>\n
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins says he’ll remember Engel as a tireless public servant.<\/p>\n
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called Engel a “true public servant,” and a “dear friend.”<\/p>\n
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Engel a “champion of the people” and a “gentle giant of a legislator.”<\/p>\n
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