Born January 17, 1937, Edward M. Mezvinsky was a member of the U.S. Congress, representing Iowa's first district (1973 to 1977). Prior to his election to Congress, he served as State Representative from Johnson County, Iowa 1969-1971 and was known as a strong consumer advocate and vigorous foe of special interest influence in government. From 1965-67, he was the Legislative Assistant to Congressman Neal Smith of Iowa. Mezvinsky received presidential commendation for his work in traffic and highway safety and food inspection.

Congressman Mezvinsky was a member of the House Judiciary Committee when it considered one of the gravest issues to face this nation — the impeachment of President Richard M. Nixon. During the critical Watergate investigation, Mezvinsky supported five articles of impeachment, including the one he drafted and sponsored dealing with President Nixon’s income tax and personal finances.

He was elected Chairman of the Freshman Democratic members of Congress and assumed a leadership position on the House Democratic Party Steering and Policy Committee. Under his leadership they had a significant impact on the laws of financing political campaigns and the reform of the Congressional budget process.

President Carter appointed Mezvinsky to serve as U.S. Representative to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights from 1977 to 1979. Mezvinsky continued his participation in politics and public service in Pennsylvania during the 1980s, serving as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee, and running for U.S. Senate, Attorney General, and Lieutenant Governor.

Mezvinsky was born at Mary Greeley Hospital, Ames, Iowa on January 17, 1937, the son of immigrant parents from Czarist Russian (now the Ukraine) and Poland. As a student at Ames Senior High school, he was an All-State receiver in football and played on the state championship basketball and track teams. He received his B.A. from the University of Iowa, where he was President of the Student Union Association and President of the Big Ten Association. Mezvinsky holds a Master of Arts Degree in Political Science and a J.D. Degree in Law from the University of California.

He is the author of the book A Term to Remember, published in 1977, which chronicles his role on the US House Judiciary Committee’s impeachment proceedings during Watergate and has written articles and opinions for the Georgetown Law Journal, The Des Moines Register, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe.

He has six daughters: Margot, Vera, Elsa, Eve, Lee Heh, Holly and two sons: Marc and Andrew.