30 Facts About Hugh Carey

Hugh Leo Carey was an American politician and attorney.

Hugh Carey was a seven-term US representative from 1961 to 1974 and the 51st governor of New York from 1975 to 1983.

In 1939, Hugh Carey enlisted in the New York National Guard as a private in C Squadron, 101st Cavalry.

Hugh Carey served in the 415th Infantry Regiment of the 104th Division as the Regimental S-3, operations officer.

Hugh Carey was with the 104th Division throughout its 10-month campaign in the European Theater of Operations, which included the fighting in Northern France, Holland and Germany.

Hugh Carey's awards include the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Croix de Guerre with Silver Star.

Hugh Carey was discharged in 1946 at the rank of colonel.

Hugh Carey was admitted to the New York state bar that same year.

In 1960, running as a Democrat, Carey was elected to the United States House of Representatives, unseating Republican incumbent Francis E Dorn.

The sub-committee held hearings in Washington and New York City and Hugh Carey introduced HR 14.

Hugh Carey sponsored and saw passed that year The Model Secondary School for the Deaf Bill, to be established on the campus of the world's only liberal arts college for the deaf.

Hugh Carey served on the House Ways and Means Committee and led the effort to pass the first Federal Aid to Education program.

Hugh Carey was elected Governor of New York in 1974 and resigned his Congressional seat on December 31,1974.

In 1969 Hugh Carey ran briefly for the Democratic nomination for Mayor.

Hugh Carey is best remembered for his successful handling of New York City's economic crisis in the mid-1970s.

Hugh Carey came into office with New York City close to bankruptcy and is credited with bringing business and labor together to help save New York City from the fiscal crisis.

Hugh Carey managed to keep the growth of state spending below the rate of inflation through his frequent use of line-item vetoes and fights with the New York State Legislature, which was at the time divided between a Republican-controlled Senate and a Democratic-controlled Assembly.

Hugh Carey's administration offered tax credits to encourage new investment.

Hugh Carey helped provide state funding for the construction of the Carrier Dome at Syracuse University.

Hugh Carey is remembered for preventing conservative legislators from reinstating the death penalty and preventing such legislators from taking away state abortion laws.

Hugh Carey signed the Willowbrook Consent Decree, which ended the warehousing of the mentally ill and developmentally disabled.

Hugh Carey made major strides in community programs for the mentally ill.

Hugh Carey pardoned Cleveland "Jomo" Davis, one of the leaders of the Attica prison riots.

Hugh Carey decided against seeking a third term as governor in 1982 and returned to private law practice.

In 1989, Hugh Carey announced that he was no longer pro-choice and regretted his support for legalized abortion and public financing of abortion as governor.

Hugh Carey continued to practice law as a member of the Harris Beach law firm and sat on the board of Triarc Cos.

Hugh Carey was devastated by the death of his wife and laid to rest any plans for the White House.

In 1981, Hugh Carey married Evangeline Gouletas, a Chicago-based real estate mogul, just three months after meeting her.

Hugh Carey died surrounded by his family on August 7,2011, aged 92.

Hugh Carey was at his summer home on Shelter Island, New York.