Henry J. Nowak
Encyclopedia
Henry James Nowak was a Democratic
member of the United States House of Representatives
from New York
between 1975 and 1993.
He graduated from Canisius College
in 1957 and the University of Buffalo Law School
in 1961. From 1957 until 1958 and from 1961 until 1962 he served in the United States Army
. He was comptroller of Erie County from 1964 until 1974. In 1970 he was a delegate to the New York State Democratic Convention and in 1972 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
. In 1974, he was elected to Congress and served from January 3, 1975 until January 3, 1993. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Public Works and Transportation during his entire congressional career.
Prior to his political career, he was a sensational basketball player for the Canisius College
Golden Griffs. When he graduated in 1957, he was Canisius College's all-time scoring leader. In three years as a starter he scored 1,449 points and averaged 18.6 points a game. Today, he still ranks first in rebounding and third in all-time scoring. The St. Louis Hawks subsequently drafted him with the 28th pick in the 1957 NBA Draft
's fourth round.
Sportswriters dubbed him "Hammerin' Hank" for his tough aggressive play. He always played hard and was never shy about banging the boards for rebounds. Nowak led the Griffs to three of their four appearances in the NCAA basketball tournament
.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
between 1975 and 1993.
He graduated from Canisius College
Canisius College
Canisius College is a private Roman Catholic college in Buffalo, New York, United States. The college was founded in 1870 by members of the Society of Jesus from Germany and is named after St. Peter Canisius. The college is one of 28 institutions in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and...
in 1957 and the University of Buffalo Law School
University at Buffalo Law School
The University at Buffalo Law School, the State University of New York is a graduate professional school at the University at Buffalo. It is part of the State University of New York system and is the SUNY system's only law school. U.S...
in 1961. From 1957 until 1958 and from 1961 until 1962 he served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. He was comptroller of Erie County from 1964 until 1974. In 1970 he was a delegate to the New York State Democratic Convention and in 1972 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
. In 1974, he was elected to Congress and served from January 3, 1975 until January 3, 1993. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Public Works and Transportation during his entire congressional career.
Prior to his political career, he was a sensational basketball player for the Canisius College
Canisius College
Canisius College is a private Roman Catholic college in Buffalo, New York, United States. The college was founded in 1870 by members of the Society of Jesus from Germany and is named after St. Peter Canisius. The college is one of 28 institutions in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and...
Golden Griffs. When he graduated in 1957, he was Canisius College's all-time scoring leader. In three years as a starter he scored 1,449 points and averaged 18.6 points a game. Today, he still ranks first in rebounding and third in all-time scoring. The St. Louis Hawks subsequently drafted him with the 28th pick in the 1957 NBA Draft
1957 NBA Draft
The 1957 NBA Draft was the 11th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 17, 1957 before the 1957–58 season. In this draft, eight NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players...
's fourth round.
Sportswriters dubbed him "Hammerin' Hank" for his tough aggressive play. He always played hard and was never shy about banging the boards for rebounds. Nowak led the Griffs to three of their four appearances in the NCAA basketball tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
.