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.

...