Stephen J. Solarz, a nine-term Democratic congressman who was known for his work on foreign policy issues, died Monday after fighting esophageal cancer, The New York Times reports. Solarz represented New York’s 13th District which included Brooklyn. He entered the congressional spotlight in 1975 and lost his seat in 1992 when population losses forced the elimination of his district. Solarz was the first congressman to visit North Korea in over 30 years. He once sat down with Fidel Castro of Cuba for nine hours. Solarz also reached across the aisle when he supported the Persian Gulf war in 1991. During his first six months in office, Solarz co-sponsored 370 bills, visited 23 subway stations and sent constituents 513,720 pieces of mail. He graduated from Midwood High School in Brooklyn, Brandeis University, and earned a master’s degree from Columbia University. Solarz is survived by his wife, mother, two brothers, stepson, stepdaughter, and four grandchildren.
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