Gary Ackerman

Gary Ackerman – Life, Career, and Notable Quotes

Learn about Gary Ackerman — longtime U.S. Representative from New York, educator, publisher, and advocate. Read his biography, political legacy, key legislative work, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Gary Leonard Ackerman (born November 19, 1942) is an American retired politician, known for his long tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives (1983–2013) as a Democrat from New York. Before Congress, he served in the the New York State Senate and worked as an educator and publisher. Over his 30-year Congressional career, Ackerman engaged in issues of foreign affairs, consumer protection, public health, and financial reform. His story blends public service, advocacy, and outspoken commentary — including some bold public statements that illustrate his approach to politics.

Early Life, Education & Pre-Political Career

Gary Ackerman was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Eva (Barnett) and Max Ackerman.
He grew up in Flushing, Queens and attended New York public schools.
Ackerman graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School (1960) and later earned a B.A. from Queens College in 1965.
He also did postgraduate study at St. John’s University in 1966.

After college, Ackerman taught in New York City schools, instructing in social studies, mathematics, and journalism at junior high level.
In 1969, after the birth of his first child, he sought unpaid leave from the New York City Board of Education to care for his infant daughter. His request was denied under existing policy (which limited such leave to women), so he sued—and won, setting a legal precedent supporting parental leave rights.

In 1970, Ackerman pivoted from teaching to founding a community newspaper in Queens, initially named The Flushing Tribune, which later became the Queens Tribune. He served as its editor and publisher.

Entry into Politics: State Senate

Ackerman’s first elected office was in the New York State Senate, where he served from 1979 to 1983 representing the 12th district.
During his State Senate tenure, Ackerman gained experience in legislative processes and constituent service, helping to build recognition and momentum for a national run.

U.S. House of Representatives (1983–2013)

Election & Tenure

In 1983, Ackerman was elected in a special election to the U.S. House to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Benjamin Rosenthal.
He was re-elected for fourteen more terms, serving from the 98th Congress through the 112th Congress (March 1, 1983 – January 3, 2013).
Ackerman represented New York’s 7th district initially (1983–1993), and following redistricting, represented the 5th district (1993–2013).

In March 2012, Ackerman announced he would retire at the end of his term and not run for re-election in 2012.

Major Focus Areas & Legislative Achievements

Throughout his Congressional career, Ackerman championed a variety of legislative priorities and issues:

• Public health & newborn HIV testing: He successfully pushed for amendments to the Ryan White CARE Act requiring mandatory HIV testing of newborns and disclosure of results to mothers—a change from anonymous testing practices.

• Consumer protection & financial reform: Ackerman sponsored legislation requiring banks and financial firms to inform consumers when negative credit-report information is placed. He also supported rules limiting conflicts of interest for accounting firms in the wake of corporate scandals.

• National security & foreign affairs: As a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Committee on Financial Services, Ackerman participated in international diplomacy and oversight.

  • He traveled to North Korea in the 1990s to discuss non-proliferation and became the first U.S. lawmaker since the Korean War to cross the DMZ.

• Advocacy for Israel and Jewish causes: Ackerman was active in Jewish parliamentary groups and worked on Israel-U.S. relations.

• Public safety & reform: He supported banning the use of handheld cell phones while driving, and took positions on veterans’ issues, Social Security, Medicare, and regulatory oversight.

Ackerman’s legislative career was that of a pragmatic Democrat—neither radical nor centrist by default, but consistently focused on constituent needs, functional regulation, and foreign diplomacy.

Personal Style & Representation

Ackerman was known for being outspoken, sometimes provocative, and unafraid to deliver pointed remarks. Quotes from his public speeches reflect his willingness to challenge both sides of the political aisle and to speak candidly. (We’ll highlight several below.)

He also had some public and private eccentricities: in Washington, D.C., he maintained a houseboat named Unsinkable II. In his home district he lived in Roslyn Heights, Nassau County.
He is an amateur photographer, a stamp collector, and boating enthusiast.

Legacy & Impact

Gary Ackerman’s legacy is multifaceted:

• Longevity in service: Serving 30 years in the U.S. House is a rare achievement—especially representing a district in a major media-dense area like New York.

• Advocacy for parental leave: His early court victory demanding equal parental leave rights arguably foreshadowed national family-leave discussions and the eventual passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act.

• Bridging foreign, domestic, and consumer issues: Ackerman’s career is a case study in a Congressman who balanced local priorities (health, safety, consumer protection) with an active role in foreign affairs.

• Vocal public figure: His frequent frank statements in interviews and floor speeches made him a recognizable and sometimes controversial voice in Congress.

• Post-Congress influence: After leaving office, Ackerman has engaged in advocacy and consulting, such as serving as Congressional Outreach Director at Gotham Government Relations.

However, Ackerman’s legacy is not without disputes. In 2019, a lawsuit was filed accusing him of sexual abuse decades earlier, relating to his past service as director of a Boy Scout camp. He denied wrongdoing and stepped down from a consulting role. This allegation complicates how his public record is viewed and adds a caution to assessments of long public careers.

Selected Quotes

Here are several memorable quotes attributed to Gary Ackerman, which illustrate his tone, convictions, and rhetorical style:

• “You can compromise between good, better, and best, and you can compromise between bad and worse and terrible. But you can’t compromise between good and evil.”

• “If a jerk burns the flag, America is not threatened, democracy is not under siege, freedom is not at risk.”

• “I’ve had meetings with Fidel Castro. I’ve had meetings with Kim Il-Sung. I’ve had meetings with other dictators. I’ve met with the Butcher of Beijing. You know, I think it’s important to hear, you know, each other’s perspective.”

• “We have to have some rules and regulations in America, or the world would empty out here.”

• “I’m in favor of immigration but we also need rules.”

These statements reflect his willingness to mix diplomacy, critique, and assertive moral framing in his public discourse.

Lessons from Gary Ackerman’s Journey

1. Long service requires balance
   Maintaining a decades-long political career in a high-profile region means managing local and national demands, evolving issues, and changing party dynamics.

2. Early principled battles can shape later identity
   Ackerman’s fight over parental leave before entering high office painted him as someone willing to challenge institutional norms early—and that ethos carried forward.

3. Public candor is double-edged
   Speaking bluntly and taking moral stands can earn respect and visibility, but it can also provoke backlash or controversy. Ackerman’s quotes show both the power and risk of outspoken rhetoric.

4. Legacy is never static
   Long public careers accumulate both achievements and questions (as seen in the later abuse allegations). Assessments must balance record, personality, and later scrutiny.

5. Bridging local and global issues matters
   A reputation for working both constituent concerns (health, safety) and global diplomacy (non-proliferation, foreign relations) illustrates how a legislator can shape multiple dimensions of public life.

Conclusion

Gary Ackerman’s career spans an era in American politics marked by transitions in health, finance, foreign policy, and public discourse. From schoolteacher and publisher to 30 years in Congress, his trajectory reflects ambitions for service, outspoken voice, and sustained relevance. His legislative accomplishments in public health, consumer protection, and foreign affairs attest to a broad portfolio.

Yet as with many long careers, his legacy is complex—adorned with bold public remarks, committed advocacy, and later contested allegations. His life offers a telling case study about power, longevity, accountability, and the ways public figures are remembered.