Howard L. Lasher

Howard L. Lasher
Assemblyman, New York State
In office 1973–1993
Preceded by	Leonard M. "Larry" Simon (who did not seek re-election, and ran against Bertram Podell in the Democratic Primary for Congress in June 1972 (16th CD)
Constituency	Brooklyn’s 46th Assembly District
City Councilman
In office 1994–2001
Succeeded by	Domenic M. Recchia
Constituency	New York City's 47th Council District
Personal details
Born	1944 United States
Died	March 11, 2007 Ocean Parkway, New York
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Susan Lasher
Children	5
Residence	New York State
Occupation	Politician
Religion	Judaism

Howard L. Lasher (1944–2007) was an American politician of the Democratic party New York State. He was the first Orthodox Jew elected to state office in New York State.^[1]

Political career

Lasher was a well-known politician in Brooklyn, New York for over thirty-five years.^[2] He was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1973 to 1993, sitting in the 180th, 181st, 182nd, 183rd, 184th, 185th, 186th, 187th, 188th, 189th and 190th New York State Legislatures.^[3] He was a member of the New York City Council from 1994 to 2001.^[4][5] He had represented Brooklyn's 47th District on the City Council,^[6] representing Coney Island, Brighton Beach and the surrounding communities.^[1]

New York Deprogramming Bill

Lasher was the principal author of the "New York Deprogramming Bill."^[7] The New York State Assembly passed the bill 77-64,^[8] as did the New York State Senate 35-23.^[9] However, in July 1981 New York State Governor Hugh Carey vetoed it.^[7]

Council member

While a Council Member, Lasher funded the reconstruction of Brighton Playground, in 1995.^[10] As an Assemblyman, Lasher served as Chairman of New York State Governor Mario Cuomo's Insurance Committee.^[11]

In November 2000, Lasher helped fund a $2 million reconstruction of the playground area of Calvert Vaux Park, a 73-acre (300,000 m²) park in New York City; named for Calvert Vaux, the designer of Central Park.^[12]

Later years

Lasher did not run in the 2001 Brooklyn City Council elections due to term limits. His wife, Susan Lasher, ran and received 2,999 votes to winner Domenic M. Recchia's 4,509.^[6][13]

Howard Lasher died in his Ocean Parkway, New York home, on March 11, 2007.^[1]

Education

Source^[1]

• Brooklyn Law School
• Brooklyn College
• Yeshiva University High School for Boys

References

1. "Legislator Howard Lasher dies at 62 - City and state pol fought for disadvantaged in decades-long career.", Park Slope Courier, Gary Busio, March 16, 2007., Courier-Life Publications.
2. Frances McIntyre, Arnold Smith, New York Times, May 3, 1998
   "His father was an executive assistant to former State Assemblyman Howard L. Lasher of Brooklyn."
3. Candidate Statements, New York City Campaign Finance Board, Susan Lasher, City Council, 47th Council District, retrieved 1/22/07.
4. "Brooklyn Councilman, a Political Fixture, Faces Fight in Primary", August 28, 1997, The New York Times, Jonathan P. Hicks.
5. New York City Economic Development Corporation, August 22, 2000, Press Release
   Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani was joined today by City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone, City Council Member Howard L. Lasher, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Finance Robert M. Harding, New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) President Michael G. Carey, New York Mets co-owner Fred Wilpon, and Joan Hodges, wife of baseball player Gil Hodges, to celebrate the start of construction on the permanent home of the New York Mets' minor league baseball team.
6. New York City District 47, Gotham Gazette, Primary Election Results.
7. "Carey Kills Bill Allowing Removal of 'Coerced' Members from Cults", The New York Times, July 20, 1981, Section B, Page 7, Column 5.
8. The Buffalo News, Buffalo, New York, "Anti-Cult Bill Stirs Debate on Constitutionality", June 23, 1981.
9. "NY Senate Passes Bill on Cult Deprogramming", Garden City Newsday, Keeler, July 1, 1981, New York.
10. Brighton Playground, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, July 07, 1998
11. Cuomo Bill Seeks Insurance for the AIDS Exposed, New York Times, February 27, 1991, Kevin Sack.
    Insurance industry officials and key legislators said today that it would be unfair to non-AIDS patients to make them share the high cost of insuring those with the disease. "If you do this you'll bring the cost of insurance up and you'll exclude people who can no longer afford the insurance," said Assemblyman Howard L. Lasher, Democrat of Brooklyn, the chairman of the Insurance Committee. Mr. Lasher said the bill "would have almost no chance in the Senate."
12. Calvert Vaux Park, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, November 07, 2001.
13. How The Promise Of Campaign 2001 Played Out, Mark Berkey-Gerard, Gotham Gazette, 2001.