As a state senator, Zaretzki could be both "fiery and humorous"; he once called for Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller to be impeached, but later admitted that "he had merely intended to capture the interest of spectators in the gallery."[2]New York Times editorial board member William V. Shannon said, "To call Zaretzki a hack, would be undue praise."[4] Zaretzki was allied to Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr. and Tammany Hall leader J. Raymond Jones; he was opposed by the Reform Democrats and anti-Wagner Democrats, who sought to block Zaretzki from power in the state Senate.[4]
In 1965, the Democratic Party achieved for the only time since 1938 a majority in the State Senate, but the Democratic senators were divided in two factions, 15 senators allied with Mayor of New York CityRobert F. Wagner Jr., and 18 senators allied with U.S. SenatorRobert F. Kennedy. After a month of deadlock, Zaretzki—the long-time Minority Leader—was elected Temporary President on February 3 with the votes of the Wagner men and the Republicans who had voted for Earl W. Brydges, but were urged by Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller to end the deadlock.[5]
Zaretzki's political career ended in 1974, when Franz S. Leichter defeated him in the Democratic primary election.[2] Leichter, a state assemblyman, was from the Reform wing of the Democratic Party and was nearly three decades younger than Zaretzki.[6] After his defeat, Zaretzki returned to the private practice of law.[2]
Death
Zaretzki suffered a series of strokes toward the end of his life. He died on December 20, 1981, in Beth Abraham Hospital in the Bronx.[2]
Sources
^University Libraries: Special Collections & Archives: Politics and Politicians, University at Albany, SUNY.
^ abcdefghGlenn Fowler, Joseph Zaretzki, Former Albany Leader, Dies, New York Times (December 21, 1981).
^Senator Zaretzki Is Sworn in the New York Times on November 18, 1947
^ abJack Newfield, RFK: A Memoir (Thunder's Mouth Press: 1969), 2003 ed., pp. 146-47.
^ His election to the majority leadership, in TIME Magazine on February 12, 1965
^Linda Greenhouse, Zaretzki, Democratic Leader in State Since 1957, Is Defeated by Leichter, New York Times (September 10, 1974).
joseph, zaretzki, march, 1900, december, 1981, american, lawyer, politician, from, york, majority, leader, york, state, senate, 1965, only, democrat, this, position, since, adoption, york, state, constitution, 1938, until, malcolm, smith, attained, position, 2. Joseph Zaretzki March 9 1900 December 20 1981 was an American lawyer and politician from New York He was Majority Leader of the New York State Senate in 1965 the only Democrat in this position since the adoption of the New York State Constitution of 1938 until Malcolm Smith attained the position in 2009 Contents 1 Early life education and military service 2 Career 3 Death 4 SourcesEarly life education and military service EditZaretzki was born on March 9 1900 1 He was born in Warsaw and came to the United States in childhood 2 He served in the U S Army during World War I 2 He graduated from Columbia College and Columbia Law School 2 Career EditZaretzki practiced law in Upper Manhattan and entered politics toward the end of the Great Depression and rose within Tammany Hall becoming a district leader 2 In November 1947 he was elected to the New York State Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the appointment of Alexander A Falk as Civil Service Commissioner 3 Zaretzki represented the Washington Heights area of Manhattan from 1948 to 1974 sitting in the 166th 167th 168th 169th 170th 171st 172nd 173rd 174th 175th 176th 177th 178th 179th and 180th New York State Legislatures He was the Democratic Minority Leader from 1957 to 1964 and from 1966 to 1974 As a state senator Zaretzki could be both fiery and humorous he once called for Governor Nelson A Rockefeller to be impeached but later admitted that he had merely intended to capture the interest of spectators in the gallery 2 New York Times editorial board member William V Shannon said To call Zaretzki a hack would be undue praise 4 Zaretzki was allied to Mayor Robert F Wagner Jr and Tammany Hall leader J Raymond Jones he was opposed by the Reform Democrats and anti Wagner Democrats who sought to block Zaretzki from power in the state Senate 4 In 1965 the Democratic Party achieved for the only time since 1938 a majority in the State Senate but the Democratic senators were divided in two factions 15 senators allied with Mayor of New York City Robert F Wagner Jr and 18 senators allied with U S Senator Robert F Kennedy After a month of deadlock Zaretzki the long time Minority Leader was elected Temporary President on February 3 with the votes of the Wagner men and the Republicans who had voted for Earl W Brydges but were urged by Governor Nelson A Rockefeller to end the deadlock 5 Zaretzki s political career ended in 1974 when Franz S Leichter defeated him in the Democratic primary election 2 Leichter a state assemblyman was from the Reform wing of the Democratic Party and was nearly three decades younger than Zaretzki 6 After his defeat Zaretzki returned to the private practice of law 2 Death EditZaretzki suffered a series of strokes toward the end of his life He died on December 20 1981 in Beth Abraham Hospital in the Bronx 2 Sources Edit University Libraries Special Collections amp Archives Politics and Politicians University at Albany SUNY a b c d e f g h Glenn Fowler Joseph Zaretzki Former Albany Leader Dies New York Times December 21 1981 Senator Zaretzki Is Sworn in the New York Times on November 18 1947 a b Jack Newfield RFK A Memoir Thunder s Mouth Press 1969 2003 ed pp 146 47 1 His election to the majority leadership in TIME Magazine on February 12 1965 Linda Greenhouse Zaretzki Democratic Leader in State Since 1957 Is Defeated by Leichter New York Times September 10 1974 New York State SenatePreceded byAlexander A Falk New York State Senate 23rd District1948 1965 Succeeded byIrwin R BrownsteinPreceded byRoyden A Letsen New York State Senate 32nd District1966 Succeeded byAbraham BernsteinPreceded byWhitney North Seymour Jr New York State Senate 28th District1967 1972 Succeeded bySidney A von LutherPreceded byRobert Garcia New York State Senate 29th District1973 1974 Succeeded byFranz S LeichterPolitical officesPreceded byFrancis J Mahoney Minority Leader in the New York State Senate1957 1964 Succeeded byEarl W BrydgesPreceded byWalter J Mahoney Temporary President of the State Senate1965 Succeeded byEarl W BrydgesPreceded byEarl W Brydges Minority Leader in the New York State Senate1966 1974 Succeeded byManfred Ohrenstein Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Joseph Zaretzki amp oldid 1132360459, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
