Charles Vanik

Congressman Charles A. Vanik (third from left) and Congressman Mo Udall (second from right) visit a Samsonite plant in Ambos Nogales, a link in the "twin plant" concept that has created hundreds of jobs for communities on both sides of the international boundary, 1978

Charles Albert Vanik (April 7, 1913 - August 30, 2007) was a Democratic politician from Ohio. He served in the United States House of Representatives.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Vanik completed undergraduate studies and a law degree at Western Reserve University. After serving on the Cleveland City Council from 1938 to 1939 and the Ohio State Senate from 1940 to 1942, Vanik enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve, seeing action in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. After the war, Vanik served as a city judge from 1946 to 1954. In 1954, he was elected to the House from the 21st district on Cleveland's East Side. He shifted districts in 1968 to the neighboring 22nd district, to make way for Louis Stokes whose growing political operation had challenged him in previous races, defeating Frances P. Bolton, who had served the district since 1939. Vanik served in the district until 1981.

In 1974, Vanik sponsored the Jackson-Vanik amendment with Sen. Henry "Scoop" Jackson, which denied normal trade relations to certain countries with non-market economies that restricted the freedom of emigration. The amendment was intended to allow refugees, particularly religious minorities, to escape from the Soviet Bloc. During this time, Vanik was the chair of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade.

In 1982, Vanik contested for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant-governor of Ohio as running mate with Ohio Attorney General William J. Brown who was running for governor. The ticket lost to Richard F. Celeste and Myrl Shoemaker. Vanik was known for wearing black bow ties with every suit.

Vanik died in his sleep on August 30, 2007 at his home in Jupiter, Florida. He was 94. He was survived by his wife, Betty, one son, one daughter and two grandchildren.

External links

Biography portal

• Charles A. Vanik A Memorial site created by the Vanik Family
• Charles Vanik at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Retrieved on 2009-5-16
• Obituary from The Cleveland Plain Dealer

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Robert Crosser	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 21st congressional district 1955–1969	Succeeded by Louis Stokes
Preceded by Frances P. Bolton	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 22nd congressional district 1969–1981	Succeeded by Dennis E. Eckart

Persondata
Name	Vanik, Charles
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Short description
Date of birth	April 7, 1913
Place of birth
Date of death	August 30, 2007
Place of death