Former Rep. Eliot Engel Dies at 79

Former U.S. Representative Eliot Engel, a New York Democrat who chaired the House Foreign Affairs Committee and shaped American policy on issues from the Balkans to child labor in Africa, died Friday in a Bronx hospital. He was 79.

Engel's family announced his death, attributing it to complications from Parkinson's disease. In a statement, they described him as having fought tirelessly for his constituents at home and for peace and security around the world during his more than 44 years in public service. "We love and miss him dearly," the family added.

A former teacher and New York State Assembly member, Engel entered Congress in 1988 by defeating 10-term incumbent Mario Biaggi in a Democratic primary, running on a reformist platform amid Biaggi's corruption scandal. He represented parts of the Bronx and southern Westchester County for 16 terms, serving variously in the 16th, 17th and 19th districts as boundaries shifted.

Engel rose steadily through the ranks of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, becoming its ranking minority member in 2013 and chair in 2019 after Democrats gained control of the House. He was a vocal supporter of Israel, recognizing Jerusalem as its undivided...