Bob Riegle, a former U.S. Representative and Senator from Michigan, passed away at 86 due to cardiac arrest. Known for his opposition to NAFTA and advocacy for Gulf War veterans, Riegle served in Congress from 1967 to 1995, switching from Republican to Democrat in 1973. He chaired the Senate Banking Committee and pushed for financial reforms.
Riegle died Friday of cardiac arrest at his home in San Diego, with his wife of 48 years Lori Hansen Riegle by his side. He served in the United States House and Senate from 1967 to 1995 and was best known for leading Senate opposition to North American Free Trade Agreement (Flint, Michigan , on February 4, 1938, and attended public schools in Flint before studying at Flint Junior College and Western University, according to the United States House of Representatives History, Art & Archives.
He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1960 and earned a graduate degree from Michigan State University in 1961. He also pursued graduate studies at Harvard Business School and went on to teach at Michigan State University, Boston University, and Harvard University before entering politics. He was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican in 1966 at age 28, representing Michigan in the 90th Congress.
He was reelected three times before changing his party affiliation to Democrat in 1973, motivated in part by his disagreements with Presidents policies on the Vietnam War. He was reelected as a Democrat in 1974 and served in the House until December 30, 1976.
Riegle was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1976 for the term commencing January 3, 1977, and was subsequently appointed by the Governor to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Senator Philip A. Hart for the remainder of the previous term. He was reelected in 1982 and 1988 and served until January 3, 1995, choosing not to seek reelection in 1994.
He served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs from the 101st through 103rd Congresses. As chair of the Senate Banking Committee, Riegle pushed for financial reforms of the savings and loan industry. He was later instrumental in securing treatment for Gulf War syndrome for military veterans who fought in the Persian Gulf in 1991.
His family said he was proud of fighting for the rights of working people and leading the Senate opposition to NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, which resulted in the loss of many jobs in his home state. He also pushed for economic development and the expansion of health insurance in Michigan.
Riegle was caught up in the Keating Five controversy, when he and four other senators faced Senate Ethics Committee hearings in 1990 over whether they had pressured federal regulators to go easy on savings and loan kingpin Charles Keating after receiving campaign contributions from him. The committee found Riegle did not break any federal laws or Senate rules but determined his conduct gave the appearance of being improper. After leaving the Senate, Riegle joined Shandwick Public Affairs in Washington, D.C.
, serving as executive committee chair in 1995, and became an adjunct professor at the Michigan State University School of Business. In 2001, he became chairman of government relations for public relations firm APCO Worldwide. In retirement, he spent time with his grandchildren and other family at his homes in Michigan and California, his family said.
"The cornerstone of our family, Don was a kind, loving, courageous leader who taught us to stand up for justice, economic opportunity, and fairness for everyone," his family said in a statement to the Associated Press. Memorial services are pending. Riegle is survived by his wife Lori Hansen Riegle, their family and grandchildren.
Bob Riegle U.S. Senator NAFTA Gulf War Syndrome Financial Reforms
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