Mourning the death of The Honorable Eliot Engel, Assemblyman, Congressman, distinguished citizen, and devoted member of his community

Assembly Resolution No. 1198

BY: M. of A. Dinowitz

        MOURNING  the  death of The Honorable Eliot Engel,
        Assemblyman, Congressman, distinguished citizen, and
        devoted member of his community

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose  lifework  and  civic  endeavors
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and

  WHEREAS, On Friday, April 10, 2026, Eliot Engel, of Bronx, New York,
died at the age of 79; and

  WHEREAS, Eliot Engel was born in Bronx County, New York, on February
18,  1947; from humble beginnings, the son of an iron worker, he grew up
in NYCHA housing and was a graduate of public schools; and

  WHEREAS, A  former  teacher  and  guidance  counselor,  Eliot  Engel
pursued politics, serving as a New York State Assemblyman from 1977-1988
when he won his first Congressional election; and

  WHEREAS,  While  serving  in  the  New York State Legislature, Eliot
Engel chaired the Committee on Alcoholism and Substance  Abuse  and  the
Subcommittee on the Mitchell-Lama Subsidized Housing Program; and

  WHEREAS,  Eliot  Engel was a strong human rights advocate for Kosovo
and the Albanian community  at  a  time  when  few  others  were  paying
attention; in 2008, he addressed the Kosovo Parliament, the first speech
given to the Parliament by a foreign dignitary; and

  WHEREAS,  From  1989-2021,  Eliot  Engel served in the United States
House of Representatives; rising through the ranks of the House  Foreign
Affairs  Committee, he become Chairman in 2019 while also serving on the
House Energy & Commerce Committee; and

  WHEREAS, For more than 44  years  in  public  service,  Eliot  Engel
fought  tirelessly  for  his  constituents  at  home  and  for peace and
security around the world; his legacy consists of hard  work  on  issues
and  kindness  to all; he exhibited commitment, conviction, and service,
and he understood that public office was a responsibility to  speak  up,
to stand firm, and to deliver for the people; and

  WHEREAS,  A  proud  New  Yorker,  dedicated  public  servant, global
diplomat, and fierce advocate for his constituents, who served 16  terms
in  Congress,  Eliot  Engel represented parts of the Bronx, Westchester,
and Rockland during his 32 years in Congress until 2020; he was  a  true
partner in advancing democratic values and human rights; and

  WHEREAS,  Besides  his dedication to politics and advocacy for human
rights, Eliot Engel was  passionate  about  other  interests,  including
being a lifelong fan of the New York Mets; and

  WHEREAS,  Eliot  Engel  is  survived  by  his wife, Patricia (Ennis)
Engel;  a  daughter,  Julia;  two  sons,  Jonathan  and  Philip;   three
grandchildren; and a sister, Dori Kaplan; and

  WHEREAS,  Armed  with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Eliot Engel leaves behind a legacy which  will  long  endure
the  passage  of  time  and will remain as a comforting memory to all he
served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
mourn  the death of The Honorable Eliot Engel, distinguished citizen and
devoted member of his community; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to the family of The Honorable Eliot Engel.