Andrew Jacobs Jr. obit

Former Indiana Congressman Andy Jacobs Jr. dies at 81

 

He was not on the list.

INDIANAPOLIS - Longtime Indiana legislator and Congressman Andrew Jacobs, Jr. passed away Saturday at his home in Indianapolis, according to sources close to the family. He was 81.

Upon news of his passing, Hoosiers took to Twitter to voice their respect for Jacobs. One of those people was Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard.

"Indy has lost one of its greatest champions," Ballard wrote on Twitter. "Andy Jacobs served his country & city w/ distinction as Marine, Korean War Vet & Congressman."

Gov. Mike Pence released a statement extolling Jacobs' "legacy of leadership."

“Andy Jacobs, Jr.'s contributions to the life of our state and nation are incalculable and I mark his passing with a sense of personal loss," Pence said. "Andy Jacobs personified the kind of principled and compassionate leadership that Hoosiers most admire and he will be greatly missed."

Jacobs was a graduate of Shortridge High School in Indianapolis and Indiana University before going to to serve in the Indiana House of Representatives from 1959-1960. He was later elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1964.

Jacobs served 14 terms as a congressman between 1965 and 1997 representing Indiana's 10th Congressional District – losing a reelection bid only once to future Indianapolis Mayor Bill Hudnut in 1972.

While in Congress, Jacobs helped to craft the 1965 Voting Rights Act. He also served on the House Ways and Means Committee, where he was known for his "tireless efforts to improve the lives of America's senior citizens," according to Pence.

In addition to his service in Congress, Jacobs served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1950-1952 during the Korean War. He was also an author, whose titles including "The 1600 Killers: A Wake-Up Call for Congress" (1999) and "Slander and Sweet Judgment: The Memoir of an Indiana Congressman" (2000).

Jacobs was succeeded in Congress by the late Julia Carson. Her grandson, Congressman Andre Carson, has described Jacobs as his "Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Following his retirement from Congress in 1997, Jacobs taught political science at IUPUI, and was a regular contributor to NUVO Magazine.

Jacobs is survived by his wife, Kim Hood Jacobs, and two sons, Andy and Steven Jacobs.