Podell, Bertram L. (Bertram Lawrence), 1925-2005

Bertram Lawrence "Bert" Podell (December 27, 1925 – August 17, 2005) was an American lawyer and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he notably served as the U.S. Representative from New York's 13th congressional district from 1968 to 1975.

Born in Brooklyn, he attended Yeshiva of Flatbush and Abraham Lincoln High School before joining the United States Navy during World War II, serving from 1944 to 1946. Podell graduated from St. John's University and Brooklyn Law School, passed the bar and practiced in New York City, specializing in real estate law. In 1954, he ran for the New York State Assembly; he defeated incumbent Thomas A. Dwyer in the Democratic primary, and went on to defeat Republican Irving Kornblum and two other candidates to win the general election. He served from 1955 to 1968, sitting in the 170th through 177th New York State Legislatures. Podell was elected as a Democrat to the 90th United States Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Abraham J. Multer. He was re-elected to the 91st, 92nd and 93rd United States Congresses, holding office from February 20, 1968 to January 3, 1975.

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