Stephen Joshua Solarz, born in Manhattan, New York, was an influential Democratic U.S. Representative from New York's 13th congressional district (1975-1993), encompassing parts of Brooklyn. Before entering national politics, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in government from Brandeis University in 1962 and taught political science at Brooklyn College from 1964 to 1969 while serving three terms in the New York State Assembly (1969-1974). Solarz became a leading voice on international affairs, advocating for democracy in the Philippines, supporting sanctions against Pakistan's nuclear program, and playing a key role in the lead-up to the Gulf War as co-chairman with Richard Perle of the Committee for Peace and Security in the Gulf. His career faced a major setback due to the 1992 House banking scandal, where he was revealed to have bounced 143 overdrafts at the House bank without timely repayment, contributing to public outrage and his defeat in the Democratic primary by Nydia Velázquez. Post-Congress, he founded Solarz Associates International, consulted on North Korea policy, served on boards including the Korea Economic Institute, and co-chaired the Council for a Community of Democracies. He was criticized by some for hawkish stances and close ties to pro-Israel lobbies, though he maintained a reputation as a principled internationalist. Solarz died of esophageal cancer on November 29, 2010, at age 70.