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June 4, 2013

NJ Sen. Frank Lautenberg Dies at 89, Longtime Advocate for Environment, Gun Control 
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New Jersey Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg has died at the age of 89.
During his five terms in the Senate, Lautenberg was known for
championing gun control, environmental regulations, public
transportation, consumer protections, investigations of Wall Street
malfeasance and curbs on smoking and alcohol consumption. He was the
Senate's last surviving veteran of World War II. In 2004, Lautenberg
delivered a memorable speech blasting what he dubbed the "chicken hawks"
in the George W. Bush administration, such as Vice President Dick
Cheney, who led the way to war in Iraq, but who at the time, were
criticizing Democratic presidential candidate and Vietnam War veteran
John Kerry.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg: "We know who the chicken hawks are. They talk
tough on national defense and military issues and cast aspersion on
others. When it was their turn to serve, where were they? A-W-O-L,
that's where they were."

Lautenberg died Monday in Manhattan of complications from pneumonia. His
death is likely to decrease the Democratic majority in the Senate since
New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie will appoint his replacement.

 

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