Former Southern Tier congressman Amory Houghton Jr. has died at the age of 93. Houghton, who along with his family ran Corning Glass Works, was born in Corning in 1926 and served in the House of Representatives as a Republican for nine terms from 1987 until his retirement in 2005.
Houghton was considered a moderate as a congressman and frequently negotiated with Democratic members on critical issues to build consensus. He was one of only four Republicans to vote against all the impeachment articles against President Bill Clinton in 1998. In 2002 he was among the six House Republicans who voted against the resolution authorizing the invasion of Iraq.
Houghton went to Harvard and served in the Marine Corps during World War II.
Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning), in a statement Thursday, called Houghton a "mentor and friend." He said the relationship between his family and the Houghton family goes back generations and his grandfather "bounced Amo on his knee" when he worked for the Houghton family more than 90 years ago.
"Washington still has much to learn from his legacy. A legacy of common sense governing through respected bipartisan friendships and political civility. A legacy where our country comes first and our political party a distant second. Our nation has lost a true hero, and our hometown of Corning has lost a great ambassador. He will be missed by all," Reed said.
Houghton died at his home in Corning Wednesday.
