Weiss, Ted, 1927-1992

Theodore S. Weiss (September 17, 1927 – September 14, 1992) was a Hungarian-born American lawyer and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he notably served on the New York City Council (1962-1976) and in the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 20th (1977-1983) and 17th (1983-1992) congressional districts.

Born in 1927 in the Hungarian village of Gáva (now Gávavencsellő), he emigrated to the United States in 1938, growing up in South Amboy, New Jersey. After graduating from H.G. Hoffman High School in South Amboy, Weiss served in the United States Army from 1946 to 1947. He graduated from Syracuse University in before earning his LL.B. from the institution's College of Law in 1952. In 1953, Weiss became a naturalized citizen of the United States. Between 1955 and 1959, he was an assistant New York County District Attorney, before leaving the position to return to private practice.

From 1962 until 1976, Weiss was a member of the New York City Council. He was a delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention. Weiss was elected to Congress in 1976, representing most of Manhattan's West Side, and served from January 3, 1977, until his death. He served on the House Committee on Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs, the House Committee on Government Operations, and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. In 1985, Weiss headed a committee that found 90 percent of the twenty to thirty thousand new drugs used on farm animals had not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. They also found that the FDA failed to remove several drugs already known to be carcinogens. Weiss was also known for his avid support of liberal causes, including civil rights, open government, and the arts.

Weiss died one day before the primary election for the renumbered 8th district. Due to the Congressman's ailing health, five Democrats appeared on the ballot to challenge him. Nonetheless, Weiss posthumously won the primary with 89.2 percent of the vote. State Assemblyman Jerry Nadler was named to replace Weiss on the ballot. Nadler won a special election for the balance of Weiss' eighth term, and a regular election for a full two-year term.