Maurice Hinchey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maurice Hinchey
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York |
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| In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Matthew F. McHugh |
| Succeeded by | Chris Gibson (redistricting) |
| Constituency | 26th district (1993–2003) 22nd district (2003–2013) |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 101st district |
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| In office January 1, 1975 – December 31, 1992 |
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| Preceded by | H. Clark Bell |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Cahill |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Maurice Dunlea Hinchey
October 27, 1938 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | November 22, 2017 (aged 79) Saugerties, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Ilene Marder Hinchey |
| Children | 3, including Michelle |
| Alma mater | State University of New York at New Paltz |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1956–1959 |
Maurice Dunlea Hinchey (October 27, 1938 – November 22, 2017) was an American politician. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He served as a U.S. Representative for New York. He retired in January 2013 after 20 years in Congress.
Before joining Congress, Hinchey represented parts of the Hudson Valley in the New York State Assembly. He was known for his work on environmental issues. For example, he held hearings about toxic waste at Love Canal. He also opposed hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for natural gas. Throughout his career, he was seen as a progressive politician.
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Early Life and Education
Maurice Hinchey was born in New York City in 1938. His family was working-class. He grew up in Saugerties, New York.
After high school, Hinchey joined the United States Navy. He served in the Pacific Ocean on a ship called the USS Marshall. After leaving the Navy, he worked in a cement plant. He also worked as a toll collector to pay for college. He earned two degrees from the State University of New York at New Paltz.
Political Career in New York
Hinchey first tried to become a politician in 1972. He ran for the New York State Assembly but did not win. In 1974, he ran again and won. He was the first Democrat to represent Ulster County in the Assembly since 1912. He stayed in the Assembly until 1992.
He was especially known for protecting the natural environment. For 14 years, he led the Committee on Environmental Conservation. This committee looked into the problems at "Love Canal." This was a major toxic waste site. His committee also helped pass the first law in the country about acid rain.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Joining Congress
In 1992, the local Congressman, Matthew F. McHugh, retired. Hinchey won the election to take his place. He represented New York's 26th district. He won by a small number of votes. In 1994, he won again, this time by only 1,200 votes.
After the 2000 census, New York lost some Congressional seats. Hinchey's district changed. It became the 22nd district. This new district was long and narrow. It connected different parts of the state. This kind of district is sometimes called gerrymandered.
Political Views and Work
Hinchey was known as a progressive populist. He often supported ideas that helped regular people. For example, he was one of the first to speak out against the war in Iraq in 2003. He also worked to make government more honest. He strongly supported protecting the environment. He also helped people in his district with their problems.
He was on the Appropriations Committee. This committee decides how the government spends money. This role helped him get federal support for programs in his district. In 2010, he was elected for his tenth and final term.
Committee Roles
- Committee on Appropriations
- Subcommittee on Defense
- Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Support for Veterans
Hinchey strongly supported policies for veterans. In 2009, he helped get a lot of money for the Department of Veterans Affairs. This was the largest funding increase in 30 years. He also wrote a bill called the Carmelo Rodriguez Military Medical Accountability Act. This bill would help veterans hold the military responsible for poor healthcare.
Energy and Environment
Hinchey was a big supporter of clean energy. He helped create The Solar Energy Consortium (TSEC). This group helps the solar energy industry grow in New York. He also supported the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act. This bill gave money to homeowners who made their homes more energy-efficient.
He was against hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for natural gas in upstate New York. He helped introduce the "FRAC Act." This bill would make gas companies share what chemicals they use in fracking. He also supported the Clean Air Act. He worried about more acid rain and pollution.
Hinchey appeared in the 2010 documentary Gasland. In the film, he talked about the FRAC Act.
Honors and Recognition
On September 4, 2009, Hinchey received an award from the Netherlands. He was made an Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau. This was for his work to celebrate 400 years since Henry Hudson explored the Hudson River. It also recognized his efforts to make the U.S. and Netherlands closer.
Key Votes and Actions
Hinchey voted for the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act of 2011. This law helps veterans find jobs and get training. He also voted to regulate oil and natural gas use. This included increasing safety on oil wells. He voted to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in March 2010. This rule had allowed the military to dismiss gay service members.
He voted for a bill to help states with Medicaid and teacher jobs. This bill provided $10 billion for teacher hiring and training. It also helped states get more money for healthcare. In November 2011, he voted to keep "In God We Trust" as the national motto. He also encouraged displaying it in public buildings and schools.
Hinchey wrote letters to President Barack Obama. He asked for more funding for Job Corps. This program helps young people get their high school diplomas and find careers. He also spoke at a Medicare forum. He told seniors that the health care reform bill would improve Medicare.
Arctic Drilling Concerns
In May 2010, Hinchey and other politicians asked President Obama to stop Shell from drilling for oil near Alaska. They wanted to understand the causes of the Gulf oil spills first. They were worried about the environmental damage if a spill happened in the Arctic. They also wanted to protect native communities. These communities depend on fish and marine life.
Airport Incident
In December 1994, a loaded handgun was found in Hinchey's bag at Washington National Airport. He said he had forgotten it was there. He paid a fine for breaking the airport rules.
Retirement from Congress
In January 2012, Hinchey announced he would retire. He said it was "time for someone else" to serve. His health and age were factors in his decision. His departure made it easier for the Democratic Party to decide which Congressional seats to eliminate. New York had to lose two seats that year. Hinchey's seat was one of them.
Personal Life and Legacy
In 2011, Hinchey announced he was being treated for colon cancer. He continued to work during his treatment. He had three children. One of his children, Michelle, later became a New York State Senator. He lived with his wife, Ilene Marder Hinchey, in Saugerties.
Death
After his cancer treatment, Hinchey developed frontotemporal dementia. His family made this public in 2017. He passed away from the disease at his home in Saugerties on November 22, 2017. He was 79 years old.
In December 2017, the Chicago City Council honored Hinchey. In July 2018, President Donald Trump signed a bill. This bill renamed the Saugerties Post Office after Maurice Hinchey.
