2:29pm Friday | Congressmember Laura Richardson has released the following statement on the passing of former CSULB President and Congressman Horn.
“One cannot live in Long Beach and discuss the politics of the past, present or future, without hearing the name Congressman Steve Horn. In the coming days, there will be many tributes by many people to Mr. Horn that will reference his very well deserved accolades and accomplishments. But my thoughts today come from the perspective of one who has been trying to fill his big shoes as a Member of Congress representing much of his former District.
“Congressman Horn did not set his sights on Washington D.C. for power or fame. Congressman Horn came to the Capitol with students on his mind, the arts in his heart and the goal of creating better cooperation with his hands.
“Rep. Horn came to Congress with his wife Nina and together they worked to bring a new standard of public service to Washington D.C. and California. Congressman Horn was an outspoken advocate for our community and he connected on a personal level with his District by writing memorable letters and op-eds and through his fierce commitment to addressing the casework needs of his most deserving constituents.
“But most of all, Congressman Steve Horn came and left as a gentleman…. one who earned the respect of us all.”
10:16am Friday | Cal State Long Beach President F. King Alexander has released the following statement on the passing of former CSULB President and Congressman Horn.
“Those of us at Cal State Long Beach are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Horn, who served the campus for more than 30 years, first as president for 18 of those years and then as a member of Congress. Our campus benefitted greatly from his leadership and vision. Steve was responsible for establishing many programs that set the campus apart in terms of how students and the community were served. Programs focusing on faculty development, student learning assistance, disabled student services, child development and educational opportunities for senior citizens all were established during his presidency. Cal State Long Beach is a stronger university for Steve Horn’s leadership. Our deepest condolences are extended to his family, friends and colleagues.“
8:50pm Thursday | Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe released the following statement on the passing of Former Congressman Horn:
“I am saddened to hear of the passing of my friend and colleague, Congressman Steve Horn. Congressman Horn was a special man, and a special friend. I had the pleasure of working with Steve on many projects throughout Los Angeles County and was witness to his enthusiastic diligence for public service. Whether he was serving his constituents in Washington DC as a Congressman, or serving his students at California State University, Long Beach as President, Steve was dedicated, passionate and selfless. Our thoughts and prayers are with Nini and his family during this difficult time.”
6:00pm Thursday | Former Congressman John Stephen “Steve” Horn who served Long Beach in the House of Representatives from 1993 to 2003 and was President of California State University, Long Beach from 1970 to 1988 passed away Thursday at the age of 79.
A five-term Congressman, Horn sponsored nearly 60 bills of which 8 were enacted. In 1996, Horn co-sponsored legislation that expanded the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to include electronic information. In his capacity as Chair of the Government Efficiency, Financial Management, and Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee, he held hearings on how fully government agencies were complying with e-FOIA. Horn co-sponsored over 1,100 bills.
In 1959, Horn was the administrative assistant to Secretary of Labor James P. Mitchell and in 1960 he went to work for then U.S. Senator Thomas Kuchel (R-CA) as a legislative assistant. Horn was also a Senior fellow at the Brookings Institute and later played a role in the 1964 presidential campaign of Nelson Rockefeller in California. He also served as Vice Chairman of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission from 1969 to 1980 and as a member of the National Institute of Corrections from 1972 until 1988 (serving as chairman from 1984 until 1987).
Horn first ran for congress in 1988 in a race to succeed Republican Dan Lungren but lost the primary to Dana Rohrabacher. After the 1991 reapportionment he ran in the Long Beach district held by veteran Democratic incumbent Glenn M. Anderson who retired in 1992, Horn jumped into the race to succeed him and narrowly won an 8-way Republican primary before beating Anderson’s stepson, then Long Beach city councilman Evan Anderson Braude, in the general election.
After the 2001 reapportionment, his district was eliminated. Horn subsequently announced his retirement and did not seek reelection in 2002.