Jerry Nadler: “As one of Ted Weiss's friends, I knew the compassionate, dedicated, hard working and loving man that many people never…”

“As one of Ted Weiss's friends, I knew the compassionate, dedicated, hard working and loving man that many people never get to see in their elected officials. The unique personality that made Ted Weiss was crafted by a life that began in eastern Hungary on September 17, 1927. He later would arrive in the United States on March 12, 1938, on the last passenger ship out of Hamburg, Germany, before the end of World War II. Ted went on to earn his undergraduate and law degree in 4 years from Syracuse University. He then worked as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan for 4 years. At that time, Ted was elected to the New York City Council and so began a lifetime of public service that was marked by compassion and principle. As one of Ted Weiss's constituents for the 16 years he served in Congress, I knew first hand how tirelessly he worked to bring issues important to the people whom he served to the forefront. Ted Weiss was one of the first elected officials in the Nation to focus attention on the need to increase funding for AIDS research, before the epidemic dominated discussions worldwide. He was a strong supporter of human rights throughout the world and right here at home.”