![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.norwoodnews.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Rep.EliotEngel.HonoraryDegreeRecipient.DoctorofLaws.jpg\")
<\/a>FORMER CONGRESSMAN ELIOT Engel Photo courtesy of the Office of Former Congressman Eliot Engel<\/p>\n
Elected officials have been paying tribute to former Bronx Congressman Eliot Engel, who died<\/a> on Friday, at the age of 79 according to various news reports.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n According to Ballotpedia, Engel, a Democrat, was a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New York\u2019s 16th Congressional district, which covers parts of The Bronx and Westchester County. He assumed office on Jan. 3, 2013, and left office on Jan. 3, 2021, after he was defeated in the Democratic Primary in June 2020 by now former Congressman Jamaal Bowman<\/a>, as reported.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As reported<\/a>, Engel wished Bowman<\/a> well following his defeat. The late former congressman\u2019s farewell speech to Congress can be viewed here<\/a>. The upset victory by Bowman in 2020 was viewed at the time during a year which saw the death of George Floyd, the rise of Black Lives Matter<\/a>, and the COVID-19 pandemic, as a major win for progressives.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As reported<\/a>, Bowman, who recently celebrated his 50th birthday, subsequently lost<\/a> the Democratic primary in 2024, and the NY-16 seat is currently held by Congressman George Latimer<\/a>. The latter said of Engel, \u201cEliot Engel devoted his lifetime to public service \u2013 as a teacher and as an elected official in Albany and Washington DC. His legacy consists of hard work on issues and kindness to all. His work in helping bring peace to the Balkans in the 1990s was a major accomplishment, among many others. We mourn with his family, and extend to them our deepest condolences. May he rest in peace.\u201d<\/p>\n A statement following the former congressman\u2019s death was released by his family and is attached further below, courtesy of Jeff Coltin of City & State.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n New York Attorney General Letitia James said of the former congressman on Friday, \u201cFor over three decades, Congressman Eliot Engel dedicated himself to serving New Yorkers in Westchester and the Bronx, and New York is grateful for his service to our state. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. May his memory be a blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), who represents the northwest Bronx, said, \u201cThe Bronx lost a giant today with the passing of former Congressman Eliot Engel. Eliot was a wonderful husband, father, friend and son of the Bronx. He grew up from humble beginnings, having lived in NYCHA housing and Co-op City. He attended Bronx public schools, Hunter College in the Bronx (now Lehman College.) He served as a New York City public school teacher.\u201d<\/p>\n He continued, \u201cEliot served the borough of the Bronx as an Assemblyman for nearly 12 years before being elected to Congress in 1988. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from the Bronx for 32 years \u2013 longer than anyone in history. He rose to the chairmanship of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he had a global impact in a very positive way in so many areas of foreign policy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The assemblyman added, \u201cOver the years he helped tens of thousands of people in his district, attended thousands of community events and was a fierce advocate for the Bronx and every community in his district. Eliot\u2019s legacy will live on. Eliot was my friend for most of my life. It was an honor to serve the public with him. I will miss him deeply.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Ballotpedia, Engel was first elected to the House in 1988. \u201cBefore redistricting in 2012, Engel served the 17th District from 1993 to 2013,\u201d an extract from Ballotpedia reads. \u201cHe also represented the 19th District from 1989 to 1993.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It continues, \u201cPrior to his congressional career, Engel served as a member of the new York State Assembly from 1977 to 1989.\u201d\u00a0 According to Ballotpedia, in the 116th Congress, Engel became chairman of the Foreign Affairs committee and was a founding member of the Congressional Medicare for All Caucus in 2018.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n U.S. Sen. Kristen Gillibrand also paid her respects, writing, \u201cToday, New York mourns the loss of former Congressman Eliot Engel. Eliot was not only my colleague for many years, but he was also a close friend who exemplified persistence and compassion for those he represented. Eliot loved our nation and had a passion for public service that never wavered throughout his 44 years in elected office. First as an assemblymember and then as a member of the United States House of Representatives, he helped improve the lives of people across our state and our country. \u201d<\/p>\n BronxTalk \u2013 Debates (the first 20 years) Video courtesy of BronxNet via YouTube<\/p>\n The statement continued, \u201cAs chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, he held a deeply influential role in shaping our nation\u2019s foreign relations and diplomacy. Eliot Engel\u2019s service to our country will never be forgotten. My condolences go out to his wife, children, and grandchildren. May his memory be a blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Meanwhile,\u00a0American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch also commented on the death of Engel, with whom Deutch served in the House of Representatives for more than 12 years.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cServing alongside Eliot Engel was one of the great privileges of my time in Congress,\u201d Deutch said. \u201cEliot combined deep moral clarity with an unwavering commitment to America\u2019s alliances, especially the U.S.\u2013Israel relationship. He led the Foreign Affairs Committee with principle, steadiness, and a genuine respect for colleagues on both sides of the aisle. I was proud to call him not only a colleague, but a friend.\u201d<\/p>\n BronxTalk Jan. 10, 2011 Video courtesy of BronxNet via YouTube<\/p>\n New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (A.D. 83), who broadly represents the north east Bronx, said, \u201cI am deeply saddened to hear of the death of former U.S. Representative Eliot Engel. Eliot was a statesman, a dedicated public servant and a voice for his constituents in Westchester County and The Bronx \u2013 including me. Eliot and I had the honor of together representing the Bronx in our respective roles, but our connection goes back even further. When Eliot was a member of the Assembly, he gave me my first award in school.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The statement continued, \u201cFrom his time here in the People\u2019s House to his decades in Congress where he served on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Eliot fought to make our state, our country and our world a better place for future generations. I know he will be missed. I offer my deepest condolences and prayers to his family and loved ones during this time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said, \u201cWe join the Bronx, Westchester County, and the nation in mourning the passing of former Congressman Eliot Engel. For more than three decades, he served with unwavering dedication, representing the Bronx and Westchester County with integrity and a deep commitment to his constituents.\u201d<\/p>\n BronxNet In the District Vote 2018: Rep. Eliot Engel NY16 Video courtesy of BronxNet via YouTube<\/p>\n She continued, \u201cThrough his leadership in the New York State Assembly and the United States Congress, he exemplified what it means to be a public servant, championing reforms to health care, gun control, and other policies to keep New Yorkers safe. We extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers of strength to his family, loved ones, and all whose lives he touched. May he rest in peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire future generations of leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Meanwhile, State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez (S.D. 34) said of Engel, \u201cWith over four decades of service, Eliot Engel carried the voices of The Bronx & Westchester with him, guided by a deep sense of responsibility to others. He always stood firm in his commitment to justice & delivering for his constituents. Keeping his family in my prayers. RIP\u201d<\/p>\n Engel was born in 1947, two years after the end of World War II. He was buried on Sunday, April 12.\u00a0 Councilman Eric Dinowitz (C.D. 11) also paid tribute to the former congressman, referring to him as \u201cDaddy Eliot.\u201d His full statement is attached above.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n According to Ballotpedia, Engel also founded the House Oil and National Security Caucus, was a member of several caucuses, including the Congressional Albanian Caucus, the Congressional Caucus on Global Road Safety, the House Caucus on Human Rights, the United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus, the Congressional Arts Caucus, the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, and the Climate Solutions Caucus.<\/p>\n BronxNet Congressman Eliot Engel BronxTalk, Sept. 9, 2019. Video courtesy of BronxNet via YouTube<\/p>\n Read more of our prior coverage of Engel\u2019s work here<\/a>, here<\/a>, and here<\/a>, including on less dependence on oil<\/a>, support for 9\/11 victims,<\/a> high gas prices<\/a>, gun control<\/a>, his opposition to war,<\/a>\u00a0rent hikes<\/a>, health care reform<\/a> and his backing for of former U.S. President Barack Obama\u2019s proposal of a millionaire\u2019s tax<\/a>.<\/p>\n BronxTalk: NY 16 Democratic Primary Debate Video courtesy of BronxNet via YouTube<\/p>\n Engel made a number of appearances on BronxNet TV over his career. Some of these are attached.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By S\u00cdLE MOLONEY FORMER CONGRESSMAN ELIOT Engel Photo courtesy of the Office of Former Congressman Eliot Engel…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":192836,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[128,9,24,63,129,131,130],"class_list":{"0":"post-194933","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-the-bronx","8":"tag-bronx","9":"tag-new-york","10":"tag-new-york-city","11":"tag-nyc","12":"tag-the-bronx","13":"tag-the-bronx-headlines","14":"tag-the-bronx-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/194933","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=194933"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/194933\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/192836"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=194933"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=194933"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=194933"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/a>FORMER CONGRESSMAN ELIOT Engel (NY-16) has died at the age of 79.
File Photo<\/p>\n<\/a>A STATEMENT ISSUED by the family of the late Congressman Eliot Engel following his death on Friday, April 10, 2026, at the age of 79. Engel served parts of The Bronx and Westchester County.\u00a0\u00a0
Image courtesy of Jeff Coltin of City & State via X\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a>(SEATED L-R) chief of staff to Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz Randi Martos, Councilman Andrew Cohen, state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and chief of staff to Congressman Eliot Engel Bill Weitz, at the town hall forum in Woodlawn on Feb. 19.
Photo by David Cruz<\/p>\n<\/a>STATEMENT FROM COUNCILMAN Eric Dinowitz (C.D. 11) on the death and burial of former Congressman Eliot Engel (NY-16).\u00a0
Source: Councilman Eric Dinowitz<\/p>\n