Gerald B.H. Solomon
Encyclopedia
Gerald Brooks Hunt Solomon (August 14, 1930 – October 26, 2001) was a New York
Republican
politician
.
Born in Okeechobee, Florida
, Solomon attended the public schools in Delmar, New York
as a child, later attending Siena College
from 1949 to 1950 and St. Lawrence University
from 1953 to 1954. He served in the United States Marine Corps
from 1951 to 1952. Solomon was a business executive in Queensbury, New York
and was elected to the Warren County, New York
legislature in 1968 and the New York State Assembly
in 1972. Solomon was elected to the House of Representatives
in 1978 as a Republican. In 1980, he was an early and avid supporter of Ronald Reagan
's presidential campaign, and remained a Reagan stalwart, supporting his efforts to reduce taxes, revive the economy, halt Soviet expansionism and rebuild America's defenses. Solomon supported the line-item veto
, a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning, a repeal of the Assault Weapons Ban, and amendments that strengthened the Selective Service System
. He also sponsored the legislation that created the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
, granting full cabinet status to the former Veterans Administration. He was such an opponent of gun control that he once challenged fellow Representative Patrick J. Kennedy
of Rhode Island
to "step outside" to settle a dispute over the issue. Solomon attempted to run for Speaker of the House
in 1994 but withdrew in favor of Newt Gingrich
. Solomon was the chairman of the House Rules Committee from 1995 to 1999, when he retired from Congress, choosing not to be elected to an eleventh term.
In his district, which ran from the Hudson Valley near Poughkeepsie into the Adirondacks, including Lake Placid, he was a popular and respected figure, consistently drawing the highest total vote of any Member of Congress in New York State in his later years. He was well known for his personal touch and strong constituent work, and for facilitating federal investment in his mostly rural district, including dozens of housing projects for low income elderly, and the Saratoga National Cemetery, where he is buried and which was renamed the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery
in his honor following his passing.
While a man of passionate beliefs and firm opinions, he also exemplified the ability to maintain friendships across political lines. Among those who delivered moving eulogies at his funeral was Representative Charles Rangel, a Democrat
, of New York City
.
Solomon was also the originator and sponsor of the Solomon Amendment
, a controversial amendment to United States Code
that precluded the receipt of federal government funds by colleges and universities unless they provided equal access to military recruiters as they did private employers. While superficially non-discriminatory, the policy was a direct response to the universal rule at American law school
s to exclude employers who discriminated based on — among other categories — sexual orientation
. The Amendment was subject to extensive litigation in 2003 by plaintiffs FAIR
and SALT. See FAIR v. Rumsfeld, 390 F.3d 219 (3rd Cir. 2004). On March 6, 2006, the United States Supreme Court
ruled in favor of the military and upheld the Solomon Amendment.
Solomon was a leader of former Marines in Congress who fought the construction of the United States Air Force Memorial
through litigation and legislation at a site they considered to be too close to the USMC War Memorial
.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
.
Born in Okeechobee, Florida
Okeechobee, Florida
Okeechobee is a city in Okeechobee County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,376 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 5,784. It is the county seat of Okeechobee County. The Speckled Perch Festival is held annually in honor of the most...
, Solomon attended the public schools in Delmar, New York
Delmar, New York
Delmar is a hamlet in the town of Bethlehem, Albany County, New York. A census-designated place has been established since 1980 by the US Bureau of Census for tabulating the population of what the census has defined as the boundaries of the urbanized area in and around Delmar. The population was...
as a child, later attending Siena College
Siena College
Siena College is an independent Roman Catholic liberal arts college in Loudonville, in the town of Colonie, New York, United States. Siena is a four-year, coeducational, independent college in the Franciscan tradition, founded by the Franciscan Friars in 1937. It has 3,000 full-time students and...
from 1949 to 1950 and St. Lawrence University
St. Lawrence University
St. Lawrence University is a four-year liberal arts college located in the village of Canton in Saint Lawrence County, New York, United States. It has roughly 2300 undergraduate and 100 graduate students, about equally split between male and female....
from 1953 to 1954. He served in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
from 1951 to 1952. Solomon was a business executive in Queensbury, New York
Queensbury, New York
Queensbury is a town in and the county seat of Warren County, New York, United States. The town is located in the southeastern part of the county. The population was 25,441 at the 2000 census. The town is named in honor of Queen Charlotte, the consort of George III of Great Britain and Ireland. It...
and was elected to the Warren County, New York
Warren County, New York
Warren County is a county in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Glens Falls, New York, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 65,707. It is named in honor of General Joseph Warren, an American Revolutionary War hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill...
legislature in 1968 and the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
in 1972. Solomon was elected to the House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in 1978 as a Republican. In 1980, he was an early and avid supporter of Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
's presidential campaign, and remained a Reagan stalwart, supporting his efforts to reduce taxes, revive the economy, halt Soviet expansionism and rebuild America's defenses. Solomon supported the line-item veto
Line-item veto
In United States government, the line-item veto, or partial veto, is the power of an executive authority to nullify or cancel specific provisions of a bill, usually a budget appropriations bill, without vetoing the entire legislative package...
, a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning, a repeal of the Assault Weapons Ban, and amendments that strengthened the Selective Service System
Selective Service System
The Selective Service System is a means by which the United States government maintains information on those potentially subject to military conscription. Most male U.S. citizens and male immigrant non-citizens between the ages of 18 and 25 are required by law to have registered within 30 days of...
. He also sponsored the legislation that created the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...
, granting full cabinet status to the former Veterans Administration. He was such an opponent of gun control that he once challenged fellow Representative Patrick J. Kennedy
Patrick J. Kennedy
Patrick Joseph Kennedy II is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1995 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes all of Bristol County and Newport County, and parts of Providence County. Kennedy did not seek re-election in 2010.A member of the Kennedy...
of Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
to "step outside" to settle a dispute over the issue. Solomon attempted to run for Speaker of the House
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, or Speaker of the House, is the presiding officer of the United States House of Representatives...
in 1994 but withdrew in favor of Newt Gingrich
Newt Gingrich
Newton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich is a U.S. Republican Party politician who served as the House Minority Whip from 1989 to 1995 and as the 58th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999....
. Solomon was the chairman of the House Rules Committee from 1995 to 1999, when he retired from Congress, choosing not to be elected to an eleventh term.
In his district, which ran from the Hudson Valley near Poughkeepsie into the Adirondacks, including Lake Placid, he was a popular and respected figure, consistently drawing the highest total vote of any Member of Congress in New York State in his later years. He was well known for his personal touch and strong constituent work, and for facilitating federal investment in his mostly rural district, including dozens of housing projects for low income elderly, and the Saratoga National Cemetery, where he is buried and which was renamed the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery
Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery
Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in the Town of Saratoga in Saratoga County, New York. It encompasses , and as of the end of 2005 had 5,012 interments.- History :...
in his honor following his passing.
While a man of passionate beliefs and firm opinions, he also exemplified the ability to maintain friendships across political lines. Among those who delivered moving eulogies at his funeral was Representative Charles Rangel, a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Solomon was also the originator and sponsor of the Solomon Amendment
Solomon Amendment
The 1996 Solomon Amendment is the popular name of 10 U.S.C. § 983, a United States federal law that allows the Secretary of Defense to deny federal grants to institutions of higher education if they prohibit or prevent ROTC or military recruitment on campus.- History :Named for U.S. Representative...
, a controversial amendment to United States Code
United States Code
The Code of Laws of the United States of America is a compilation and codification of the general and permanent federal laws of the United States...
that precluded the receipt of federal government funds by colleges and universities unless they provided equal access to military recruiters as they did private employers. While superficially non-discriminatory, the policy was a direct response to the universal rule at American law school
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
s to exclude employers who discriminated based on — among other categories — sexual orientation
Sexual orientation
Sexual orientation describes a pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to the opposite sex, the same sex, both, or neither, and the genders that accompany them. By the convention of organized researchers, these attractions are subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality,...
. The Amendment was subject to extensive litigation in 2003 by plaintiffs FAIR
Forum for Academic and Institutional Rights
The Forum for Academic and Institutional Rights was an association of American law schools seeking to overturn the Solomon Amendment. It has filed suit in a case, Rumsfeld v. FAIR, heard by the Supreme Court on December 6, 2005. On March 6, 2006, FAIR lost the case....
and SALT. See FAIR v. Rumsfeld, 390 F.3d 219 (3rd Cir. 2004). On March 6, 2006, the United States Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
ruled in favor of the military and upheld the Solomon Amendment.
Solomon was a leader of former Marines in Congress who fought the construction of the United States Air Force Memorial
United States Air Force Memorial
The United States Air Force Memorial honors the service of the personnel of the United States Air Force and its predecessors. The Memorial is located in Arlington, Virginia, on the grounds of Fort Myer near The Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery, at the intersection of Columbia Pike and...
through litigation and legislation at a site they considered to be too close to the USMC War Memorial
USMC War Memorial
The Marine Corps War Memorial is a military memorial statue outside the walls of the Arlington National Cemetery and next to the Netherlands Carillon, in Arlington, Virginia, in the United States. The memorial is dedicated to all personnel of the United States Marine Corps who have died in the...
.