Obituaries : Otto E. Passman; Ex-House Member
Otto E. Passman, a fourth-grade dropout who spent 30 years in Congress fighting foreign aid in particular and government in general, died Saturday. He was 88.
An outspoken conservative Democrat, Passman was the powerful chairman of the House appropriations subcommittee on foreign operations for 22 years, from 1954-76.
In 15 congressional elections, the Monroe businessman faced no serious election challenges. But in 1976, Passman, in his 70s, ran in the Democratic primary against Rep. Jerry Huckaby of Ringgold, a youthful dairy farmer.
Amid accusations that he cheated on his congressional expense accounts and browbeat foreign governments in grain deals, Passman lost his reelection bid by more than 8,000 votes.
Before the election Passman had been accused of padding his travel expense accounts by claiming the more remunerative automobile gasoline mileage for his trips to his home district, although he actually traveled by airplane.
Passman denied any intent to defraud and repaid the difference.
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