John J. LaFalce

John Joseph LaFalce (October 6, 1939 – April 11, 2025) was an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from the state of New York from 1975 to 2003. He retired in 2002 after his district was merged with that of a fellow Democrat.

LaFalce was first elected to the 94th United States Congress in 1974 and re-elected to each succeeding Congress through the 107th United States Congress, serving his Western New York congressional district for 28 years, from 1975 to 2003. He served as Chairman of the United States House Small Business Committee from 1987 to 1995, and as Ranking Democrat of the House Committee on Financial Services from 1999 to 2003. He declined to seek re-election to the 108th Congress.

Early life and education LaFalce was born in Buffalo, New York, on October 6, 1939. He graduated Canisius High School before earning a bachelor's degree from Canisius College and Juris Doctor from Villanova University School of Law.

Career

State politics LaFalce was a member of the New York State Senate (53rd D.) in 1971 and 1972; and a member of the New York State Assembly (140th D.) in 1973 and 1974.

He was generally a liberal Democrat, but strongly opposed abortion. At the time of his death LaFalce served on the National Advisory Board of Democrats for Life of America. He also was among a handful of Democratic members who voted against the five Iran sanction bills that passed 1997–2001.

After the 2000 census, New York lost two congressional districts. One plan called for the merger of LaFalce's territory with the neighboring 27th district of Republican Jack Quinn, a longtime friend who represented the other portion of Buffalo. The final map merged his district with the Rochester-based 28th District of fellow Democrat Louise Slaughter. The new district retained Slaughter's district number, but geographically was more LaFalce's district; indeed, only a narrow band of territory from Buffalo to Rochester connected the two areas. Nonetheless, LaFalce did not seek reelection in 2002.

He served as the Chairman and Director of Erie County Industrial Development Agency from April 1, 2012, to May 2013 and was a member of the advisory board to the Canadian American Business Council.

Personal life and death LaFalce was married to Patricia Fisher and had one son, Martin, who is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center. Martin served as a public interest lawyer in New York City, and now is a law professor at St John's University School of Law.

LaFalce died from kidney failure at a hospice in Lockport, New York, on April 11, 2025, at the age of 85.

Honors LaFalce received honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from Villanova University School of Law (1991), St. John's University (1989), and Niagara University (1979), as well as an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Canisius College (1990).