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Congressman Adam Benjamin Jr. - 1935-1982

By SHIMSHON RASHO

From 'Qala Min Madinkha' 'Voice From The East' Vol.1 No.1 Issu: 2 Dec 1982 Official Maganize of the Assyrian Appostolic Catholic Church Of The East.

The Assyrian people everywhere were shocked, bewildered and deeply saddened to hear the tragic news of the sudden and unexpected passing away, 1982, of one of their most beloved sons the Honorable Adam Benjamin Jr., U.S. congressman.

His death was untimely as he was only forty-six years of age, so full with vigour and vitality, so full with expectations and yet suddenly and without any warning the light of his life was abruptly extinguished. It is an irony of fate and a great misfortune to humanity that people like Adam should have the course of their lives interrupted at a time when they had a lot more to contribute to make this world a better place to live in.

In Adam, the American nation has lost a dedicated and conscientious legislator who has given his country incredible services as a third term congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives. The laws he passed and the projects he completed will remain forever as a vivid proof of his magnanimity and a tribute to him and the services he rendered to his community.

More so the state of Indiana is now deprived of the scrupulous labors of a man who not only represented his district so nobly in Washington, D.C., but was constantly and untiringly striving to bring greater prosperity to his home state even when he served on the state legislature and when he was a public official. It is most unlikely that the city of Gary, Indiana, will ever forget Adam who was born, raised, educated, married and built his political career in this great cosmopolis which he loved fervently from infancy to maturity and until his last breath in this world. Adam was a dedicated family man, an obedient son to his mother Margaret, a good husband to his wife Patricia, a loving father to his son Adam Benjamin III and his daughters Allison and Arianne. He held his family in deep affection and had close ties to his brothers Samuel and Samson and his sisters Myron, Lillia and Leona. Adam had his share of misfortune when in recent past he lost through death his adored father Adam Benjamin Sr., his loved brother Daniel and his daughter Amy.

The Assyrian Church of the East has lost one of its most faithful members and its staunchest supporter. Thus we have more reason to bitterly lament this great tragedy as Adam was our only source of inspiration, a beacon of hope in these troubled times through which our Assyrian nation and their national Church are passing. We looked to him as the champion of our challenged rights and a refuge of last resort. Adam was our rock of Gibraltar and our knight in shining armour ever ready to crusade for his people's aspirations for recognition of identity and a chance to practice our heritage, culture and language in peace and without persecution. He was a tower of strength to us without him we feel weak and vulnerable. Adam was full of compassion. He was a man of strong moral principles, rigid ethics and with an untarnished integrity. He was deeply religious in his thinking and sincere in his actions. In this day and age it is hard to come by such a vast reservoir of virtue and goodness. He will always be remembered as a truly honorable gentleman and will be missed by all who knew him, worked with him and those who heard of his benevolence.

His funeral services were officiated by His Grace Mar Aprim Khamis, Bishop of U.S.A. and Canada, Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East, assisted by six other prelates, viz., Archdeacon Rev. Kako Lazar, Archdeacon Rev. Younan Yoel, from London, Great Britain, Rev. Hurmis Eshai, pastor of Mar Gewargis Church, Dora, Baghdad, Iraq, Rev. Aprim de Baz, pastor of Mar Sargis Church of Chicago, Rev. Shmoel Dinkha, pastor of Mar Gewargis Church in Chicago and Deacon Hurmiz Younan. The last rites were administered in the tradition of our 2000 years old Church and in Aramaic, the language of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are indebted to our sister Church, the Greek Orthodox, for making available their very spacious and beautiful Church of St. Augustine in Merrillvile, Indiana, for conducting the funeral services for Adam. Our special gratitude goes to Father the pastor and the Board of Directors of the Church.

Thousands came to offer their condolences and participate in the funeral services among them more than two hundred dignitaries, including some fifty congressmen, many senators, Governor of Indiana, some mayors and many other distinguished people representing civic, political, religious and commercial communities. Military honor guard was flown from Washington, D.C., to escort the hearse to its final place in the cemetery of Merrillvile. The route to the cemetery was lined by tens of thousands of saddened mourners. Thousands of wreaths were sent by organizations, groups and friends of the deceased. The national media, including radio, T.V. and newspapers, were adequately represented throughout the service. More than two hundred police and state troopers squad cars drove in the procession to the cemetery. National flags were flying at half mast throughout the state of Indiana. His Grace Mar Aprim Khamis and some prominent political figures eulogized the late Congressman when he was put to rest in the bosom of the earth for safekeeping until the return of his Saviour Jesus Christ. The bugles sounded the last post, a gun salute was fired and the flags wrapping the coffin were presented ceremoniously to the wife and mother of the deceased. Such a man is a man of honor, and such a man was Adam Benjamin, Jr. God knows how we all loved him and how we shall truly miss him. Adam, from all of us here, we wish you one last goodbye. May you find the rest you so justly deserve and may you live in everlasting peace.

Updated March 5, 1997