Emanuel Celler served as a Representative from New York in the United States Congress from 1923 to 1973. A member of the Democratic Party, Emanuel Celler contributed to the legislative process during 25 terms in office.
Emanuel Celler’s service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history. As a member of the House of Representatives, Emanuel Celler participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of constituents.
Emanuel Celler (May 6, 1888 – January 15, 1981) was an American Democratic politician from New York who represented parts of the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in the United States House of Representatives for nearly 50 years, from March 1923 to January 1973. He served as the dean of the United States House of Representatives from 1965 to 1973. Celler chaired the House Committee on the Judiciary for eleven terms between 1949 and 1973 and was a leading advocate for the liberalization of immigration and naturalization laws, from his early stand against the Immigration Act of 1924 to his sponsorship of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. He ranks as the fifth longest-serving congressman in history and the longest-serving member of either house of Congress in New York’s history. Celler strongly supported help for Jewish refugees fleeing Europe during World War II. As Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee for all but two years between 1949 and 1973, he ushered the major civil rights legislation including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. In the early 1970s, Celler took a position in opposition to the women’s Equal Rights Amendment. He was defeated in the 1972 primary by Elizabeth Holtzman, becoming the most senior Representative ever to lose a primary.
Sources
Congressional Record
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