Former United States Rep. Joe Knollenberg, from Michigan, has died at the age of 84, according to a family friend.
Knollenberg, a Republican, served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 until 2009 and represented the state's 11th congressional district until 2002 and then the 9th congressional district from 2003-2008.
During his time, Knollenberg rose to the be a subcommittee chairman on the House Appropriations Committee.
He was eventually defeated by now U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, who won the 9th district in 2008, defeating Knollenberg 52-43 percent.
Peters released this statement:
"Throughout his sixteen years of service in Congress, Joe worked tirelessly to represent the people of Southeast Michigan. He cared deeply about his country and his state, and he remained active in his community even after his service in Congress ended. Joe was a true statesman and a well-respected gentleman - exactly the kind of person you want to see in public service. My thoughts are with his family and friends, and I hope they can take a small measure of comfort in knowing that his legacy of dedication and public service to the people of Michigan will live on."
His son, Marty, is currently a state senator representing Michigan's 13th district.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder released this statement:
I’m saddened to hear of the passing of former Congressman Joe Knollenberg. Joe represented MI in our nation’s capital for 16 years. His service to this nation, our state and his constituents will never be forgotten.
According to Govtrack.us, Knollenberg was the primary sponsor of six bills that were enacted.
Those bills are:
- H.R. 4884 (106th): To redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 200 west 2nd Street in Royal Oak, Michigan, as the "William S. Broomfield Post Office Building."
- H.R. 2944 (107th): District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2002
- H.R. 2559 (108th): Military Construction Appropriations Act, 2004
- H.R. 4837 (108th): Military Construction Appropriations and Emergency Hurricane Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005
- H.R. 32 (109th): Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act
- H.R. 3058 (109th): Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006
