Daniel David "Dan" Rostenkowski (born January 2, 1928
in Chicago, Illinois) was a
United States Representative from Illinois from 1959 to 1995. He was a member of the
United States Democratic Party.
He attended Loyola University Chicago. A product of the Cook County machine and the son of a "ward boss,"
Joseph P. Rostenkowski of the 32nd ward, Daniel Rostenkowski was for many years Democratic Committeeman of Chicago's 32nd Ward,
retaining this position even while serving in Congress. In Washington, he rose by virtue of seniority to the rank of Chairman of
the House Ways and Means Committee in 1981. As Chairman of Ways and Means, he played an important role in tax and trade policy for more than a
decade.
Rostenkowski's political career was shattered in 1994, when he was indicted on corruption
charges for his key role in the House post office scandal. He was
forced to step down from all Congressional leadership positions. In elections later that year, Rostenkowski lost his seat and
retired from political life. Charges against Rostenkowski included keeping "ghost" employees on his payroll, using Congressional
funds to buy gifts such as chairs and ashtrays for friends, and trading in officially purchased stamps for cash at the House post
office[1]. In
1996, he pleaded guilty to reduced charges of mail fraud. He
was fined and was sentenced to 17 months in prison, of which he served 15. Rostenkowski was
pardoned in Dec. 2000 by US President Bill Clinton.
Rostenkowski's downfall in 1994 was portrayed by Republicans as emblematic of Democratic corruption. The scandal helped fuel
the Republican victory in the House, led by Newt Gingrich and his Contract with America. "The rise and
fall of Dan Rostenkowski tracks the rise and fall of Democrats in the House," concludes Richard E. Cohen in his book on Rostenkowski [2] . "It is a story of power, accomplishments, and, ultimately, failure and
humiliation."
Rostenkowski receives a federal pension of between US$97,000 and US$125,000 per year.[3][4] [5]
Following his political career, he has worked as a political commentator.
Books
- (1999) James L. Merriner, Mr. Chairman: Power in Dan Rostenkowski's America. Southern Illinois University Press. ISBN
0-8093-2473-3.
- (2000) Richard E. Cohen, Rostenkowski: The Pursuit of Power and the End of the Old Politics. Ivan R. Dee Publisher.
ISBN 1-56663-310-9.
External links
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