Joseph Y. Resnick
Joseph Yale Resnick (July 13, 1924 – October 6, 1969) was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from New York (28th congressional district), inventor, and World War II veteran.
Joseph Y. Resnick | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 28th 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 |
Died | October 6, 1969 45) Las Vegas, Nevada | (aged
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Ruth Lehrer |
Residence | Ellenville, NY |
Occupation | businessman |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Life and career
Resnick was born in Ellenville, New York, the son of Anna (Zaida) and Morris Resnick.[1] He served as a radio officer in the United States Merchant Marine in World War II. He also helped found Channel 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]
Resnick was elected to Congress in 1964 from New York's 28th congressional district, a heavily Republican district, defeating 14-year Republican incumbent J. Ernest Wharton.[4] He served from January 3, 1965 until January 3, 1969. During his tenure in Congress, Resnick took on the American Farm Bureau Federation and subsequently wrote a book on the subject. He was a champion of civil rights and also supported the Vietnam War. Resnick played a central role in passing the Animal Welfare Act of 1966, which empowered the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to protect and regulate the use of animals in research facilities.[4] He unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for a seat in the United States Senate in 1968, finishing third behind New York City councilman Paul O'Dwyer and Nassau County executive Eugene Nickerson.[2] Resnick's seat in the House was filled by Hamilton Fish IV, whom Resnick had defeated in the 1966 election.
Resnick was found dead in a Las Vegas, Nevada hotel room on October 6, 1969. The cause of death was ruled to be a myocardial infarction.[2] The Joseph Y. Resnick Airport in Resnick's hometown of Ellenville, Ulster County, is named for him.[5] He was buried at the Hebrew Aid Society Cemetery in Wawarsing, New York.[6]
References
- Stone, Kurt F. (Dec 29, 2010). "The Jews of Capitol Hill: A Compendium of Jewish Congressional Members". Scarecrow Press. Retrieved Mar 15, 2019 – via Google Books.
- AP (October 7, 1969). "Ex-Rep. Joseph Resnick Is Dead; Backed Johnson's War Policy". The New York Times.
- The Jews of Capitol Hill: A Compendium of Jewish Congressional Members, Kurt F. Stone, 2010 page 225
- Where's Pepper? Daniel Engber, Slate, June 1, 2009.
- Jane Anderson, Shawangunk Journal, New Lights For Ellenville? -- What The Feds' Funding Of Resnick Airport Might Mean, August 8, 2013
- "Joseph Y. Resnick". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
External links
- United States Congress. "Joseph Y. Resnick (id: R000164)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2010-01-04
- Kingston Daily Freeman, Resnick is Dead at 44, October 7, 1969
U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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Preceded by J. Ernest Wharton |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 28th congressional district 1965–1969 |
Succeeded by Hamilton Fish IV |