Breaking: Maurice Hinchey, former congressman from NY, has died

Source: Poughkeepsie Journal

Former Rep. Maurice D. Hinchey, who served 20 years in Congress and had been battling a terminal neurological disorder, died on Wednesday, his family confirmed.

The 79-year-old Ulster County resident announced in June he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration after battling colon cancer. Serving in the 22nd Congressional District, which includes Poughkeepsie, Hinchey was an advocate of environmental protection and championed many Hudson Valley causes.

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In Congress, Hinchey was a well-known environmental advocate who supported the dredging of PCB contamination from the Hudson River and led the effort to create the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.

He also served on the Appropriations Committee.

Additionally, in the state Assembly, he served as chairman of the Environmental Conservation Committee. He also conducted an investigation into the causes of Love Canal, the toxic waste site in western New York where people were living until residents began complaining of miscarriages, urinary and kidney problems and mental disabilities in their children.

One of his legacies was developing the nation's first law to control acid rain.

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Read more: http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/2017/11/22/breaking-maurice-hinchey-former-ny-representative-dead-79/890412001/