Longtime Bronx-area congressman Eliot Engel, who served 32 years in Congress and chaired the House Foreign Affairs Committee, died at 79 in the Bronx surrounded by family.

Engel represented parts of the Bronx and Westchester County and built a legacy as a strong advocate for liberal causes, including gun control, abortion rights, healthcare reform, and a proactive U.S. stance on Kosovo and NATO involvement in the Balkans.

A public memorial service will be announced soon to honor his legacy.

Colleagues and public figures, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, and lawmakers like Adriano Espaillat and Jerry Nadler, issued statements praising his public service and leadership.

Throughout his career, Engel championed liberal causes and played a notable role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, with emphases on Kosovo independence and human rights.

He was a strong ally of Albania and advocated for a prominent U.S. role in promoting democracy and human rights abroad, earning praise for his diplomacy and dedication to constituents.

Colleagues highlighted his legacy of service, leadership, and devotion to the Bronx and Westchester, suggesting his influence will endure beyond his passing.

Observers described him as a central figure in New York politics, rooted in democratic values and deep commitments to his constituents across the Bronx, Westchester, and parts of Rockland County.

Reaction from public figures emphasized Engel as a champion for his constituents and a significant force in New York politics, with tributes from officials such as Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins and national lawmakers.

Tributes noted his impact on Westchester, the Bronx, and national policy, including his role in Balkans peace efforts in the 1990s.

His death, announced in the Bronx, sparked widespread tributes highlighting his public service, diplomacy, and advocacy.

Engel began his political career in the New York State Assembly in 1977 and later defeated Mario Biaggi to win a seat in Congress in 1988, serving until his primary defeat in 2020 by Jamaal Bowman.