U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg Dies at 89

U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, the last remaining World War II veteran in the senate, died Monday morning, his office said. He was 89. 

The five-term senator succumbed to complications from viral pneumonia at 4:02 a.m. at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell, his office said in a statement Monday morning. 

In 2010, Lautenberg announced he had stomach cancer and the senator has faced a series of health issues forcing him to miss votes. Although he was weakened, he returned to the Senate floor in April to vote on anti-gun violence measures. 

Lautenberg was first elected in 1982 at 58 after founding Automatic Data Processing, a payroll services company. The Paterson-native served in the U.S. Senate for three terms before retiring, but returned to public service when Senator Robert Torricelli opted not to run for reelection in 2002. Lautenberg, a Cliffside Park resident, won the seat and was re-elected in 2008. 

In February, the senator announced that he would not seek a sixth term, but promised that he was undergoing "a two-year mission to pass new gun safety laws, protect children from toxic chemicals and create more opportunities for working families in New Jersey."

In a statement, President Barack Obama reflected on Lautenberg's working-class roots and commitment to health, safety and public transportation issues. 

"Michelle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Senator Frank Lautenberg, a proud New Jerseyan who lived America’s promise as a citizen, and fought to keep that promise alive as a senator," Obama said. 

State Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg noted Lautenberg's accomplishments in cracking down on drunk driving, which aided in the passage of an accompanying bill Weinberg drafted in the state legislature.

"He was a friend, he was a colleague, he was a legislator of giant accomplishment to improve the health, safety and welfare of all the residents of New Jersey and the nation," Weinberg said.

“Senator Lautenberg was a dedicated public servant who fought vigorously for the people of New Jersey," State Senate President Stephen Sweeney told the Star-Ledger. " He leaves behind an amazing legacy of pushing for the rights of the working poor and middle class. While a man of means, he never, ever lost sight of helping working people. He will be missed. We have lost a true leader.”

Gov. Christie must now appoint a replacement to fill out the remainder of Lautenberg's term. Newark Mayor Cory Booker announced his interest in taking Lautenberg's seat in 2014. 

The highlights of Lautenberg's career as an elected official included his work on public transit, environmental issues and gun control issues in New Jersey and on Capitol Hill. Among his better known legislative accomplishments was the 1984 law establishing the national drinking age at 21 and a law that banned smoking on domestic airline flights.

Lautenberg was a veteran of the Army Signal Corps during World War II, according to the New York Times, and was discharged in 1946. His experience and knowledge of the Holocaust during the year, combined with his Jewish upbringing, inspired him to contribute to Jewish causes, including establishing the Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology at the Hebrew University Medical Faculty in Jerusalem in remembrance of his father.

Following his graduation from Columbia University in 1949, Lautenberg worked at the Prudential Insurance Company, eventually serving as the company's chief executive officer, the Times reported.

Lautenberg is survived by his wife, Bonnie Englebardt Lautenberg; six children, Ellen Lautenberg and Doug Hendel, Nan and Joe Morgart, Josh and Christina Lautenberg, Lisa and Doug Birer, Danielle Englebardt and Stuart Katzoff, Lara Englebardt Metz and Corey Metz; and 13 grandchildren.