Rep. Gary Ackerman to retire from Congress

WASHINGTON -- After nearly three decades in Congress, Rep. Gary Ackerman Thursday issued a surprise announcement that he'll retire from his long and colorful career at the end of this year.

Ackerman, 69, the Queens-born Democrat from Roslyn Heights who was known for his quips and liberal politics, said he told those close to him Thursday evening that he wouldn't seek re-election to serve a 16th term.

"I've been truly privileged to have had the opportunity to fight for the beliefs of my neighbors in both the state capital and in the halls of Congress," Ackerman said in a statement.

The news caught colleagues by surprise, coming on the eve of a federal court's approval of a redistricting map expected to largely return Ackerman to a Queens district similar to the one he first won 30 years ago.

"It's definitely a shock," said New York Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf, who once did work for Ackerman. "It's another indication of a generational and demographic shift in New York politics."

Rep. Steve Israel (D-Dix Hills), chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said Ackerman called him at 5 p.m. Thursday.

"He told me he's at the stage of his life where he really wants to enjoy his family, particularly his grandchildren," Israel said.

Israel said he expected that Democrats would retain Ackerman's seat in November, but did not name a successor.

Ackerman was among the liberal politicians who came of age in the post-Watergate 1970s, first in the State Senate and then in Congress after winning a special election in March 1983 to replace Rep. Ben Rosenthal, who had died.

Ackerman came in sporting a goatee, which he long ago shaved, and a white carnation in his lapel, a tradition that he continues.

For years he lived on a houseboat in Washington, and he was renowned for annual kosher deli fundraisers.

Ackerman developed a special interest in foreign affairs, particularly Israel and India, and rose to become chairman, and now the top Democrat, of the House Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia.

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who served for 15 years in the House with Ackerman, said, "He was one of the most conscientious, studious members of Congress, and to boot, one of the funniest men I've ever met."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg recalled a visit with Ackerman to a police station in Sderot, Israel, amid rocket alarms.

"Gary was cool and collected, which is exactly how he went about his business in Congress for more than three decades," Bloomberg said.

With Ellen Yan