James H. Scheuer
Encyclopedia
James Haas Scheuer (February 6, 1920 – August 30, 2005) was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives
from New York
. He was also affiliated with the Liberal Party of New York
.
where he attended the Ethical Culture Fieldston School
. He received a Bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College
in 1942, a Masters degree from Harvard Business School
in 1943, and a law degree from Columbia University Law School in 1948.
His brothers were film critic Steven H. Scheuer
and documentary-maker Walter Scheuer. He was married in 1948 to interior designer Emily Malino (1925–2007) and had four children. Scheuer contracted polio while on his honeymoon, and recuperated for a year at President Franklin D. Roosevelt
's Warm Springs facility in Georgia
. He walked with a cane for the rest of his life.
from 1943 until 1945. After returning home, he was hired by the Foreign Economic Administration
, and in 1951 he became employed by the Office of Price Stabilization. In 1957, he left this job to become a trial lawyer and speechwriter.
Scheuer was an early and outspoken opponent of the Vietnam War and opposed governmental interference in private matters such as contraception and abortion. A strong liberal, he supported legislation for the Head Start early education program, environmental protection and automotive safety. He also was a staunch supporter of Israel and the cause of Soviet Jews. He was "the first high-ranking American official to meet with refuseniks" and in 1972 was detained and then expelled from the Soviet Union for meeting with Jews who were trying to emigrate from that country.
Scheuer ran for Mayor of New York City in 1969, but finished last in a field of five in the Democratic primary.
Population loss in the Bronx and redistricting in 1970 and again in 1972 pitted Scheuer against two other incumbent Congressmen in succession. In 1970 he defeated Representative Jacob H. Gilbert
, but two years later he was defeated by Representative Jonathan Bingham.
Scheuer ran for Congress once again in 1975, moving to Neponsit, Queens
in a different New York City district to succeed retiring Democrat Frank J. Brasco
, who represented parts of south Queens and Brooklyn
. He served his second stint as Representative from January 3, 1975 until January 3, 1993. In the 1980 Census his district was once again eliminated and he again moved to an open seat, this time based in Northeast Queens.
from 1994 until 1996.
Scheuer died of heart and kidney failure at age 85.
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...
from New York
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...
. He was also affiliated with the Liberal Party of New York
Liberal Party of New York
The Liberal Party of New York is a minor American political party that has been active only in the state of New York. Its platform supports a standard set of social liberal policies: it supports right to abortion, increased spending on education, and universal health care.As of 2007, the Liberal...
.
Family and education
Scheuer was born and raised in New York CityNew 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...
where he attended the Ethical Culture Fieldston School
Ethical Culture Fieldston School
The Ethical Culture Fieldston School, known as "Fieldston", is a private "independent" school in New York City and a member of the Ivy Preparatory School League. It has about 1600 students and a staff of 400 people , led by Dr. Damian J...
. He received a Bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College is a private, independent, liberal arts college in the United States with an enrollment of about 1,500 students. The college is located in the borough of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, 11 miles southwest of Philadelphia....
in 1942, a Masters degree from Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School is the graduate business school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States and is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world. The school offers the world's largest full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and many executive...
in 1943, and a law degree from Columbia University Law School in 1948.
His brothers were film critic Steven H. Scheuer
Steven H. Scheuer
Steven H. Scheuer is a film and television historian and critic. He edited all seventeen editions of Movies on TV published between 1958 and 1993 and wrote The Movie Book, subtitled A Comprehensive, Authoritative, Omnibus Volume on Motion Pictures and the Cinema World...
and documentary-maker Walter Scheuer. He was married in 1948 to interior designer Emily Malino (1925–2007) and had four children. Scheuer contracted polio while on his honeymoon, and recuperated for a year at President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
's Warm Springs facility in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. He walked with a cane for the rest of his life.
Early career
Scheuer served in the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
from 1943 until 1945. After returning home, he was hired by the Foreign Economic Administration
Foreign Economic Administration
In the administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the Foreign Economic Administration was formed to relieve friction between US agencies operating abroad. As described by the biographer of the FEA's chief, Leo Crowley, the agency was designed and run by "The Nation's #1 Pinch-hitter".S. L...
, and in 1951 he became employed by the Office of Price Stabilization. In 1957, he left this job to become a trial lawyer and speechwriter.
Political career
After an unsuccessful run for the House in 1962, Scheuer was elected to Congress in 1964. He originally served from January 3, 1965 until January 3, 1973. He also headed the National Housing Conference.Scheuer was an early and outspoken opponent of the Vietnam War and opposed governmental interference in private matters such as contraception and abortion. A strong liberal, he supported legislation for the Head Start early education program, environmental protection and automotive safety. He also was a staunch supporter of Israel and the cause of Soviet Jews. He was "the first high-ranking American official to meet with refuseniks" and in 1972 was detained and then expelled from the Soviet Union for meeting with Jews who were trying to emigrate from that country.
Scheuer ran for Mayor of New York City in 1969, but finished last in a field of five in the Democratic primary.
Population loss in the Bronx and redistricting in 1970 and again in 1972 pitted Scheuer against two other incumbent Congressmen in succession. In 1970 he defeated Representative Jacob H. Gilbert
Jacob H. Gilbert
Jacob H. Gilbert was a United States Representative from New York between 1960 and 1971.Gilbert was born in Bronx, N.Y., He attended the public schools and graduated from St. John’s College and from St. John's University School of Law...
, but two years later he was defeated by Representative Jonathan Bingham.
Scheuer ran for Congress once again in 1975, moving to Neponsit, Queens
Neponsit, Queens
Neponsit is a small affluent neighborhood located on the western half of the Rockaway Peninsula, the southernmost area of the borough of Queens. The area starts at 142nd Street and ends at 149th Street. It borders the neighborhood of Belle Harbor to the east and Jacob Riis Park on the west. Jamaica...
in a different New York City district to succeed retiring Democrat Frank J. Brasco
Frank J. Brasco
Frank James Brasco was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from New York.Brasco was born in Brooklyn. He graduated from Brooklyn College in 1955 and Brooklyn Law School in 1957. He served in the United States Army Reserve and was an assistant district attorney for...
, who represented parts of south Queens and Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
. He served his second stint as Representative from January 3, 1975 until January 3, 1993. In the 1980 Census his district was once again eliminated and he again moved to an open seat, this time based in Northeast Queens.
Later life
Following his retirement, he served as the United States Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and DevelopmentEuropean Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Founded in 1991, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development uses the tools of investment to help build market economies and democracies in 30 countries from central Europe to central Asia. Its mission was to support the formerly communist countries in the process of establishing their...
from 1994 until 1996.
Scheuer died of heart and kidney failure at age 85.