Beilenson, Anthony C. (Anthony Charles), 1932-2017

Anthony Charles Beilenson (October 26, 1932 – March 5, 2017) was an American lawyer and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 23rd (1977-1993) and 24th (1993-1997) congressional districts.

Born in New Rochelle, New York, he grew up Mt. Vernon, New York, attending school there before graduating from Phillips Academy. He then attended Harvard University, earning B.A. and J.D. degrees there. Beilenson then relocated to Los Angeles and became a partner in a Beverly Hills law firm which represented the film industry. Beilenson was elected to the California State Assembly in 1963, serving until 1967, and then served in the California State Senate from 1967 to 1976. Among his accomplishments in the California State Legislature was winning enactment of the "Beilenson Act", which requires public hearings whenever hospitals in California are closed or reduce services. His most noteworthy accomplishment was as author of the 1967 Therapeutic Abortion Act, one of the most liberal abortion laws at that time. Beilenson was then elected to and served ten terms in the U.S. House of Representatives in the United States Congress, beginning in 1977, until his retirement in 1997. While in Congress, he served on the House Rules Committee, and as Chairman of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence from 1989 to 1991.

After leaving Congress, Beilenson was a member of the ReFormers Caucus of Issue One. He died at his home in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles after suffering a heart attack.