Gary Leonard Ackerman

Democrat Representative of New York's 5th district

Representative
New York, district 7
January 3, 1983 - January 3, 1985
Representative
New York, district 7
January 3, 1985 - January 3, 1987
Representative
New York, district 7
January 6, 1987 - January 3, 1989
Representative
New York, district 7
January 3, 1989 - January 3, 1991
Representative
New York, district 7
January 3, 1991 - January 3, 1993
Representative
New York, district 5
January 5, 1993 - January 3, 1995
Representative
New York, district 5
January 4, 1995 - January 3, 1997
Representative
New York, district 5
January 7, 1997 - January 3, 1999
Representative
New York, district 5
January 6, 1999 - January 3, 2001
Representative
New York, district 5
January 3, 2001 - January 3, 2003
Representative
New York, district 5
January 7, 2003 - January 3, 2005
Representative
New York, district 5
January 4, 2005 - January 3, 2007
Representative
New York, district 5
January 4, 2007 - January 3, 2009
Representative
New York, district 5
January 6, 2009 - January 3, 2011
Representative
New York, district 5
January 5, 2011 - January 3, 2013

202-225-2601

http://ackerman.house.gov

Congresses Served

House Terms

November 19, 1942 (82 years old)

Birthday

Served as a U.S. Representative from New York from 1983 to 2013, retiring after fifteen terms.
Before his tenure in Congress, he was a member of the New York State Senate from 1979 to 1983.
Born and raised in New York, he initially worked as a high school teacher in Queens, teaching social studies, mathematics, and journalism.
Founded a weekly community newspaper in Queens, the Queens Tribune, in 1970.
Played a significant role in the passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, drawing from his own experience suing the New York City Board of Education for parental leave rights.
Ackerman was a Congressional delegate to the United Nations and held a prominent position in the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, receiving India’s third highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan.
Voted against a resolution calling for the protection of Christmas symbols and traditions in 2005, citing the lack of inclusivity for other religious holidays.
Advocated for various health issues, including mandatory HIV testing of newborns and banning downed animals from being sold as meat.
Sponsored legislation related to finance, including consumer notification of negative credit report information and restrictions on accounting firms consulting for companies they audit.
Supported foreign policy initiatives, including authorizing the invasion of Iraq in 2002, and played a role in Middle East peace efforts.
Criticized for arranging a visit between Israeli officials and a defense contractor while investing in that contractor.
Created the “Heroes” postage stamp to aid families of rescue workers killed or disabled in the September 11 attacks.
Lived on a houseboat named the Unsinkable II while in Washington, D.C., and is known for wearing a white carnation boutonnière.
Accused in a lawsuit filed in 2019 of sexual assault from an incident alleged to have occurred in 1966; Ackerman denied any wrongdoing.
Ackerman’s diverse interests include amateur photography, stamp collecting, and boating; he is also an Eagle Scout.