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| -Obits- |
| 'Dirty' Dan Rostenkowski |
| 2010-08-11 |
| Former House Ways and Means chairman passes away at 82. During his early years in congress, Rostenkowski’s record was typical of a northern Democrat with close ties to a powerful big city political organization. He made sure that Chicago received its full share of federal funds. He advocated for various social welfare programs that made up President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. Chicago Mayor Daley often looked to Rostenkowski as Chicago’s chief liaison in Washington, and counted on him to deliver federal funds to “grease" the machine with special projects. Rostenkowski got the job done and kept the Chicago machine alive at a time when other big city machines were nearing extinction. He supported the American effort in Vietnam until 1971, when he joined anti-war Congressmen in an attempt to force a quick withdrawal of American troops by voting against certain military appropriation bills. Eventually liberal Democrats stripped Rostenkowski of his position as chairman of the Democratic Caucus, because of his ties to Mayor Daley, who was a pariah because of the 1968 convention. Rostenkowski's political career ended in 1994 after a two year investigation by the Justice Department. In a case led by future U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Rostenkowski was indicted on corruption charges for his role in the House post office scandal. In 1996, he pleaded guilty to reduced charges of mail fraud. He was fined and was sentenced to 17 months in prison, of which he served 15 at the federal prison in Oxford, Wisconsin, and the remaining 2 months at a half way house in Chicago. Rostenkowski was pardoned in December 2000 by President Clinton, who said "Rostenkowski had done a lot for his country and had more than paid for his mistakes." |
| Posted by: Anonymoose |
| #3 So who's the third crook to go? |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2010-08-11 22:06 |
| #2 They should have locked him in a room with a bottle and pistol, then told him that if he did the right thing his wife could keep the house. |
| Posted by: Formerly Dan 2010-08-11 21:55 |
| #1 Buh-bye. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2010-08-11 20:51 |