(Saugerties, NY) -- Former Hudson Valley Congressman Maurice Hinchey is dead. His family says the longtime Democratic lawmaker, who served 20 years in Congress representing Ulster County and parts of Dutchess County, died peacefully, surrounded by family at his home in Saugerties today.
During his tenure in the State Assembly and Congress, Hinchey was a staunch environmental advocate and an outspoken champion of the Hudson River and the Hudson Valley Greenway. Congressman Hinchey was responsible for securing much of the funding to create the Walkway Over The Hudson State Park.
Republican John Faso now represents much of the district Hinchey served, in a statement he said:
“Maurice Hinchey had a distinguished and notable career representing the people of Ulster County in the state Assembly and his constituents in Congress during his 20 years of service in the House of Representatives. Maurice was a fierce defender of the environment and left an important mark on New York State from his years as Chairman of the Committee on Environmental Conservation. He also served our nation honorably as a member of the United States Navy. I served with Maurice in the state Assembly and knew him to be an articulate and dedicated proponent of the causes he believed in and the people he served. My condolences to his wife Ilene and his family. May he rest in peace.”
Hinchey, who was 79, had battled colon cancer, and in the past two years was diagnosed with a rare brain disorder. His family says funeral plans are pending.
Photo: flickr, AFGE