Benjamin, Adam, 1935-1982

Adam Benjamin, Jr. (August 6, 1935 – September 7, 1982) was an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented Indiana's 1st congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1977 until his death from a heart attack in 1982. Benjamin was the first Assyrian-American to be elected to the United States House of Representatives in American history.

Born in Gary, Indiana, he graduated from Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri before joining the Marine Corps, serving as a Corporal in the Korean War until being honorably discharged. After serving in the Marine Corps, he gained an appointment to the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, earning a B.S. degree in engineering in 1958. Following three years in the 101st airborne division the "Screaming Eagles", and ranger training in the U.S. Army, in 1961 Benjamin left the Army as a First lieutenant. After his service in the Military, Benjamin returned to Gary in 1961 and began teaching math and physics at Edison High School. Two years later, he entered public service as Gary's zoning administrator from 1963 to 1965, and gained further experience in local government acting as Gary Mayor A. Martin Katz's executive secretary from 1965 through 1966. Benjamin earned a J.D. from Valparaiso University and was admitted to the Indiana Bar in 1966.

Shortly after Benjamin was admitted to the Indiana Bar, he ran for a seat in the Indiana House of Representatives, winning two consecutive terms in 1966 and 1968. He served in the Indiana House until he won a seat in the Indiana Senate in 1970, winning reelection in 1974, and served in the Indiana Senate from 1971 to 1977. After losing a 1974 bid for the Democratic nomination to Indiana's 1st district, Benjamin came back to win the Democratic nomination and subsequent general election two years later.

Benjamin served in the 95th, 96th, and 97th Congresses from 1977 until his death in 1982. Benjamin sat on the House Appropriations Committee, and served as the chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, aiding Northwest Indiana with projects such as improved Amtrak facilities, new South Shore Railroad commuter cars, and funding for an I-94 interchange to provide access to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore as well as improvements in Gary's bus system and municipal airport. In addition, Benjamin chaired the executive committee of the Congressional Steel Caucus, a bi-partisan coalition of congressman that promotes the health and stability of the domestic steel industry. To encourage the Calumet Region's economic recovery, Benjamin worked to establish the Calumet Forum, with representatives of labor, industry, banking, publishing, education, politics, transportation, and the religious community seeking to promote the economic resurgence and development of the Region. Benjamin continued to gain a reputation for hard work, dedication, effectiveness, and loyalty among both his colleagues and his constituents. He retained his seat in the 1978 and 1980 elections, and was seeking a fourth congressional term when he died suddenly from a heart attack in September 1982.