Norman Lent
Norman Lent, who represented Long Island in the U.S. House of Representatives for 22 years, died on June 11 at his home in Arlington, Virginia. He was 81. Although he did not represent Southampton in Congress, he had a summer home in Sag Harbor.
Mr. Lent was a Korean War veteran and 11-term member of Congress, representing New York’s 4th District along the South Shore of Long Island. That seat is now held by his successor and fellow Republican, U.S. Representative Peter King.
Elected to Congress in 1970, he was vice chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. He also served for a time as the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. In that capacity, he spent his last decade in the House helping to write legislation such as the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, the Hazardous Waste Cleanup Act and the Inside Trading and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act. He also played a role in drafting the bill that ultimately ended the national rail strike of 1992.
He was also vice chairman of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, where he was an advocate for his district’s coastal areas. He helped draft legislation establishing a 200-mile limit protecting U.S. fishing rights and helped pass bills that would uphold standards for keeping oceans safe from oil pollution, garbage dumping and waste disposal.
Before entering politics, Mr. Lent was a practicing attorney and was a lieutenant in the Naval Reserve during and immediately after the Korean War.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Morris; two children, Norman Lent III and Barbara Ann Roberts; a brother, Robert; a niece and nephew; and five grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Thomas B. Lent.
At a date to be determined, he will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
on Jun 22, 2012