Representative Otis Pike

Representative Otis Pike
Name	Otis Pike
State	New York
District	1st
Term	1961–1979
Preceded	Stuyvesant Wainwright
Succeeded	William Carney
Birth date	(1921-08-31)August 31, 1921
Birth place	Riverhead, New York
Death date	January 20, 2014(2014-01-20) (aged 92)
Death place	Vero Beach, Florida
Party	Democratic
Spouse	Doris Pike
Alma mater	Princeton University, Columbia Law School
Occupation	Lawyer, politician

Representative Otis Pike was an American lawyer and politician who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 1st congressional district from 1961 to 1979. During his tenure, he was a member of the Democratic Party and served on several committees, including the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select). Pike was known for his work on the Pike Committee, which investigated alleged abuses by the Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and National Security Agency. He was also a strong supporter of the United Nations and served as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly.

Early life and education

Otis Pike was born on August 31, 1921, in Riverhead, New York, to a family of English American and Irish American descent. He grew up in a Democratic household and was influenced by the policies of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal. Pike attended Princeton University, where he studied history and was a member of the Princeton University Debate Team. After graduating from Princeton, he attended Columbia Law School, where he earned his law degree and was a member of the Columbia Law Review. During his time at Columbia, he was influenced by the teachings of Harlan Fiske Stone and Felix Frankfurter.

Military service

Pike served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, enlisting in 1942 and serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He was stationed in Guam and Okinawa and saw combat during the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa. After the war, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain and returned to the United States, where he began his career in law and politics. Pike's military service had a profound impact on his life and shaped his views on foreign policy and national security. He was a strong supporter of the United States Armed Forces and worked closely with Robert McNamara, Dean Rusk, and other prominent figures in the Department of Defense.

U.S. House of Representatives career

Pike was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1960, defeating Stuyvesant Wainwright in the general election. He represented New York's 1st congressional district, which included parts of Suffolk County and Nassau County. During his tenure, he served on several committees, including the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select). Pike was a strong supporter of the United Nations and served as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly. He also worked closely with Adlai Stevenson II, Hubert Humphrey, and other prominent figures in the Democratic Party.

Pike Committee investigations

In 1975, Pike was appointed chairman of the House Select Committee on Intelligence, which was established to investigate alleged abuses by the Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and National Security Agency. The committee, known as the Pike Committee, conducted a thorough investigation and issued a report that criticized the intelligence agencies for their actions. The report was classified, but it was leaked to the press and published in the Village Voice. The Pike Committee's investigation was a major scandal and led to significant reforms in the intelligence community. Pike worked closely with Frank Church, Bella Abzug, and other members of the committee to uncover the truth and bring about accountability.

Later life and death

After leaving Congress in 1979, Pike returned to private life and practiced law in New York City. He remained active in politics and was a vocal critic of the Reagan administration's policies on foreign policy and national security. Pike was also a strong supporter of the State of Israel and worked closely with Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Rabin, and other prominent figures in the Israeli government. He died on January 20, 2014, at the age of 92, in Vero Beach, Florida. Pike's legacy as a champion of civil liberties and human rights continues to be celebrated by Amnesty International, the American Civil Liberties Union, and other organizations.

Electoral history

Pike was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1960, defeating Stuyvesant Wainwright in the general election. He was re-elected eight times, serving a total of nine terms in Congress. Pike's electoral history is as follows: * 1960: Defeated Stuyvesant Wainwright (R) in the general election * 1962: Defeated James J. Delaney (R) in the general election * 1964: Defeated Frank J. Becker (R) in the general election * 1966: Defeated John J. Gallagher (R) in the general election * 1968: Defeated James J. Delaney (R) in the general election * 1970: Defeated Frank J. Becker (R) in the general election * 1972: Defeated John J. Gallagher (R) in the general election * 1974: Defeated James J. Delaney (R) in the general election * 1976: Defeated William Carney (R) in the general election

Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from New York