Monday, July 24, 2017

Former Congressman Ralph Regula, who represented the Canton, Ohio area for nearly 40 years, died July 19 at the age of 92.
 
He served in Congress from 1973-2008. At the time, he was the second longest serving Republican member of the House. A moderate Republican and former teacher and attorney, Regula championed education and was known best for the preservation of green space while in Congress. But he was also one of the most staunch and powerful Republican arts champions. On a national level, he protected the National Endowment for the Arts from conservative efforts to kill it. 
 
His legacy includes a reputation for honesty and a willingness to reach across party lines to get work done. His son, Richard Regula, has said, "He was as non-partisan as they come. His goal was to take care of the people."
 
For more, see The New York Times's coverage on Regula's life and accomplishments.