Klein, Herbert C., 1930-

Herbert C. Klein (born June 24, 1930) is an American businessman, attorney, and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he notably served in the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 8th congressional district from 1993 to 1995.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, he graduated from Hillside High School before earning a B.A. from Rutgers University, a J.D. from Harvard Law School, and an LL.M. from New York University Law School. Klein served in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1956, where he was assigned to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio. Admitted to the bar in 1953, he commenced the practice of law in Passaic, New Jersey. Klein served as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly from 1972 to 1976, authoring the law that created the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. In the Assembly, he was co-counsel on a bond issue for New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, and worked for the introduction of state income tax.

After losing his bid for re-election in 1975, Klein served as Executive Director of the Passaic County Democratic Committee from 1977 to 1981. He was elected as a Democrat to the 103rd United States Congress in 1992 to succeed retiring eleven-term incumbent Robert Roe in the historically Democratic eighth district. During his tenure in the United States House of Representatives, Klein was a leader on the House Banking Committee, where he was responsible for several legislative initiatives. He co-authored the bills that authorized interstate branch banking and was the architect of the provision which sparked passage of the legislation that ended the problems in the savings and loan industry. Klein was defeated for re-election by Clifton city councilman and Passaic County freeholder Bill Martini, making him one of 54 Democrats to lose their seats in the 1994 Congressional Elections.

Klein has served continuously as a Trustee of the First Real Estate Investment Trust of New Jersey since 1961, leading the Trust as President from 1991 to 1993. He is past member of the Board of Trustees of Rutgers University, past President of the Board of Trustees of Beth Israel Hospital, a member of the Governor's Committee for the New Jersey Development Council, a member of the Board of Overseers of the Rutgers University Foundation, a member of the Executive Committee of the board of directors of the Rutgers University Foundation, Chairman of the President's Council of the Rutgers University Foundation, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Montclair Art Museum, and a member of the board of directors of multiple philanthropic organization.