Metzenbaum, Howard M. (Howard Morton), 1917-2008

<p>Howard Morton Metzenbaum (June 4, 1917 – March 12, 2008) was an American politician and businessman who served for almost 20 years as a Democratic member of the U.S. Senate from Ohio (1974, 1976–1995). He also served in the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate from 1943 to 1951.</p>

<p>Metzenbaum was born June 4, 1917 in Cleveland, Ohio, to a poor family, the son of Anna (née Klafter) and Charles I. Metzenbaum. His paternal grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Poland and France, and his maternal grandparents were Hungarian Jews. He attended Glenville High School, where he ran track, while also working odd jobs after hours. He graduated from Ohio State University, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1939 and a law degree in 1941. During the 1940s, he practiced law in Cleveland. After initially facing discrimination due to his Jewish heritage, he found acceptance representing large labor unions, first with the Communications Workers of America and later the International Association of Machinists.</p>

<p>Metzenbaum became independently wealthy through investments, particularly in real estate near what became the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, which Metzenbaum and his partner, Alva "Ted" Bonda, correctly envisioned would make for extremely profitable, 24-hour, well-lit parking lots. The business expanded to become Airport Parking Company of America (APCOA), the world's largest parking lot company. By 1970, he had sold his interest in APCOA Parking for US$20 million.</p>

METZENBAUM, Howard Morton, a Senator from Ohio; born in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, June 4, 1917; graduated, Ohio State University, Columbus 1939; graduated, Ohio State University School of Law 1941; admitted to the Ohio bar in 1941 and commenced practice in Cleveland; member, Ohio house of representatives 1943-1947; member, Ohio senate 1947-1951; campaign manager for United States Senator Stephen M. Young 1958, 1964; unsuccessful Democratic candidate for the United States Senate 1970; chairman of a group of suburban weeklies in the Cleveland area; appointed by the Governor, January 4, 1974, as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of William B. Saxbe and served from January 4, 1974, until his resignation December 23, 1974; unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1974; resumed the practice of law; elected on November 2, 1976, to the United States Senate for the term commencing January 3, 1977; subsequently appointed by the Governor, December 29, 1976, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Robert Taft, Jr. for the term ending January 3, 1983; reelected in 1982 and 1988 and served from December 29, 1976, to January 3, 1995; was not a candidate for reelection in 1994; chairman, Consumer Federation of America (1995-2008); died in Aventura, Florida, on March 12, 2008; interment in Mayfield Cemetery, Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

<p>METZENBAUM, HOWARD MORTON (4 June 1917 - 12 March 2008), a staunchly liberal U.S. Senator during an era of conservative political ascendency associated with the presidency of Ronald Reagan. Born in Cleveland to Anna and Charles Metzenbaum, Howard balanced school work with business by fetching his neighbors' groceries for tips. After graduating from Glenville High School, Metzenbaum attended The Ohio State University, where he would earn both bachelors (1939) and law degree (1941). Metzenbaum was able to pay his way through college by selling flowers outside of Ohio Stadium and along High Street, the University's main thoroughfare. He would use his time off school in the summers to travel the state selling personal hygiene goods.</p>

<p>Although he received his law degree in 1941, Metzenbaum found his Jewish faith prevented potential law firms from hiring him. Facing bitter anti-Semitism, Metzenbaum returned to Cleveland and found employment representing more open minded labor union. Metzenbaum represented and filed tax returns for the Communications Workers of America and the International Association of Machinists before entering politics in 1943 by winning a seat in the Ohio House as a Democrat. Metzenbaum married Shirley Turoff on August 8, 1946. Metzenbaum used his success to catapult him into the Ohio Senate in 1947, but left politics in 1950 to pursue wealth in private enterprise.</p>

<p>Metzenbaum and lifelong friend Alva T. (Ted) Bonda founded Airport Parking Company of America (APCOA) in 1949. In 1951 they secured a contract to operate at Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport, inaugurating the airport parking industry. Metzenbaum earned his fortune through APCOA, eventually selling the business to International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT) in 1966. His business success allowed Mezenbaum to settle in the Shaker Heights suburban community with his wife. Shirley gave birth to four daughters during these years: Barbara, Susan, Shelley, and Amy.</p>