Eliot Engel remembered at Lehman College memorial; Clintons and Gov. Hochul attend

Former U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel was remembered Thursday at a public memorial at Lehman College's Levenger Theatre, where family members and former national and state leaders praised his long career in public service.

Chris Gimella, reporting for BronxNet, said standing ovations filled the theatre as family, friends and colleagues gathered to celebrate Engel's life. Engel, 79, died of complications of Parkinson's disease on April 10. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, their children and grandchildren, and his sister, who attended the memorial.

Speakers described Engel as a bipartisan figure and an internationalist. One presenter said, "He was just did an amazing job, building partnerships around the world as a true champion for democracy, human rights worldwide, and just as an all around great person." Another recalled his advice to "keep being nice, but be strong" and to "be of good cheer and never give up, never give in," lines speakers used to summarize his approach to public life.

Attendees included former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who each delivered remarks, Gimella reported. Speakers at the memorial emphasized Engel's Bronx roots and his long record on foreign policy, saying he often reached across the aisle to advance initiatives for New Yorkers.

Gimella noted Engel's 44-year political career and cited policy work described at the memorial, including international relations, state advocacy and civil-rights efforts. The memorial also referenced a 2013 change to U.S. food-aid policy that allowed federal funds to purchase food procured by local farmers in developing nations; that policy item was highlighted as an example of Engel's legislative work.

Family members and former colleagues offered personal recollections of Engel's mentorship and empathy. A speaker who said they had been a freshman recalled Engel "telling me the ropes" and encouraging them to aspire to public service, underscoring his role as a mentor to younger lawmakers and staff.

The memorial, Gimella said, reflected the enduring regard colleagues and constituents held for Engel and the breadth of his public career. "The public memorial is a reflection of Engel's compassion and strength returned by those he left an everlasting impact on," Gimella reported from Bedford Park Boulevard for BronxNet.

The service brought together family and figures from national and state politics to mark Engel's life and public service; no formal legislative actions were reported at the memorial.