D. Pease, 70; Democratic Congressman From Ohio

Donald Pease, an Ohio Democrat who served in the House of Representatives from 1977 to 1993 and who was known for his work on tax, labor and trade matters, died Sunday at his home in Oberlin, Ohio. He was 70 and had heart ailments.

Pease was a newspaper executive and state legislator before winning election to Congress in a district that included an area west of Cleveland containing the cities of Lorain, Elyria and Oberlin.

He served on the Budget and Ways and Means committees. He sponsored legislation that gradually reduced itemized deductions on those with incomes of more than $100,000; a modified version became law.

On trade issues, he was a major force behind legislation making imports to the United States contingent on improved labor and wage standards abroad.

He did not seek reelection in 1992 for health reasons, and in 1993 President Clinton appointed him to the board of the National Railroad Passenger Corp. He also taught political science part time at Oberlin College.

Pease was a native of Toledo and an Army veteran. He was a journalism graduate of Ohio University, where he also received a master’s degree in government. He won a Fulbright scholarship to what is now the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in Britain.

Beginning in the 1950s, he held positions at the weekly Oberlin News-Tribune, including co-editor and publisher. He also served in both houses of the Ohio Legislature.