Former Congressman John LaFalce dies at 85

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Former Congressman John LaFalce has died at the age of 85, Erie County Democratic Party Chairman Jeremy Zellner confirmed.

A Buffalo native, LaFalce was elected to Congress in 1974 and represented Western New York from 1975-2003. LaFalce represented the 36th Congressional District from 1975-83, the 32nd Congressional District from 1983-93, and the 29th Congressional District from 1993-2003.

During his time in office, he was the ranking Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee and also was a member of the House Small Business Committee.

In the 1970s, LaFalce worked closely with President Jimmy Carter regarding the Love Canal environmental disaster.

“In 1978, finally we did pass the superfund bill providing billions of dollars for comprehensive clean-ups for formerly abandoned hazardous waste sites,” LaFalce told WIVB News 4 in December.

After retiring, LaFalce donated large sums of money to institutions in Western New York, including Niagara University and the Burchfield Penney Art Center.

"Congressman LaFalce embodied the definition of public service," Congressman Tim Kennedy said in a statement. "From his time in the United States Army to his nearly three decades representing our hometown in the House of Representatives, Congressman John LaFalce set an example to which we should all aspire. His tireless work delivered so much to our community, and he was never afraid to take on the toughest of issues. He will be remembered as a man of great faith, conviction, and passion, who was always speaking up for his constituents."

"Congressman LaFalce will be remembered for all that he did, however, standing up for the residents of Love Canal in the face of environmental catastrophe, and directing the eyes of the world on Western New York, forced a national reckoning with the dangers of industrial pollution, further underscored his fearless leadership."

"Congressman LaFalce was as Buffalo as they come," Sen. Chuck Schumer said in a statement. "He had one of the biggest brains and the biggest heart. John was a legislative giant and a dear friend going back to our time serving together in the House. He would see a problem, whether in his beloved city of Buffalo or across the country, and dedicate every fiber of his being to making sure it was solved. His dedication to public service and passion for helping others knew no bounds. He loved Buffalo and always defended Western New York. He was a good and loyal friend, and I will deeply miss him. My prayers are with his loved ones and Western NY as they mourn this tremendous loss."