Joseph Zaretzki
Encyclopedia
Joseph Zaretzki was an American lawyer and politician from New York
. He was Majority Leader of the New York State Senate
in 1965, the only Democrat in this position since the adoption of the New York State Constitution of 1938 until Malcolm Smith
attained the position in 2009.
during World War I
.
He was a member of the New York State Senate
where he represented the Washington Heights
area of Manhattan
from 1948 to 1974. He was the Democratic Minority Leader from 1957 to 1964, and from 1966 to 1974.
In 1965, the Democratic Party achieved for the only time since 1938 a majority in the State Senate, but the Democratic senators were divided in two factions, 15 senators allied with Mayor of New York City
Robert F. Wagner, Jr.
, and 18 senators allied with U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy
. After a month of deadlock, Zaretzki - the long-time Minority Leader and Wagner's candidate - was elected Majority Leader on February 3 with the votes of the Wagner men and the Republicans who had voted for Earl W. Brydges, but were urged by Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller to end the deadlock.
He died at the Beth Abraham Hospital in the Bronx.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He was Majority Leader of the New York State Senate
Majority Leader of the New York State Senate
The Majority Leader of the New York State Senate is elected by the majority of the members of the New York State Senate. The position usually coincides with the title of Temporary President of the State Senate, who presides over the session of the State Senate if the Lieutenant Governor of New York...
in 1965, the only Democrat in this position since the adoption of the New York State Constitution of 1938 until Malcolm Smith
Malcolm Smith (US politician)
Malcolm A. Smith is an American politician. He is a Democratic member of the New York State Senate, elected in the 14th district which is located in Southeast Queens and includes Hollis, St. Albans, Cambria Heights, Queens Village, Rosedale and the entirety of the Rockaway Peninsula...
attained the position in 2009.
Life
He served in the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
He was a member of the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
where he represented the Washington Heights
Washington Heights, Manhattan
Washington Heights is a New York City neighborhood in the northern reaches of the borough of Manhattan. It is named for Fort Washington, a fortification constructed at the highest point on Manhattan island by Continental Army troops during the American Revolutionary War, to defend the area from the...
area of Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
from 1948 to 1974. He was the Democratic Minority Leader from 1957 to 1964, and from 1966 to 1974.
In 1965, the Democratic Party achieved for the only time since 1938 a majority in the State Senate, but the Democratic senators were divided in two factions, 15 senators allied with Mayor of New York City
Mayor of New York City
The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the...
Robert F. Wagner, Jr.
Robert F. Wagner, Jr.
Robert Ferdinand Wagner II, usually known as Robert F. Wagner, Jr. served three terms as the mayor of New York City, from 1954 through 1965.-Biography:...
, and 18 senators allied with U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy
Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy , also referred to by his initials RFK, was an American politician, a Democratic senator from New York, and a noted civil rights activist. An icon of modern American liberalism and member of the Kennedy family, he was a younger brother of President John F...
. After a month of deadlock, Zaretzki - the long-time Minority Leader and Wagner's candidate - was elected Majority Leader on February 3 with the votes of the Wagner men and the Republicans who had voted for Earl W. Brydges, but were urged by Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller to end the deadlock.
He died at the Beth Abraham Hospital in the Bronx.
Sources
- http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,840524,00.html?promoid=googlep His election to the majority leadership, in TIME Magazine on February 12, 1965
- http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB081FFE395C0C728EDDAB0994D9484D81 Obit in NYT on December 21, 1981 (subscription required)
- http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/zaagman-zazachilds.html Political Graveyard